| Often when we get blocked it is because we need to | | | | or a page in answer to a question than it is to write in |
| write on a particular subject or for a particular | | | | response to a heading, so questions make wonderful |
| assignment, and we may be feeling stressed about | | | | outlines. |
| doing a good job. Try writing about anything else | | | | Imagine writing or talking to a particular person about |
| continuously for ten minutes or longer. Write something | | | | your subject. Picture them as someone who isn't |
| you plan to throw away or delete. This will get you | | | | intimidating to you, perhaps an old friend who knows |
| started at writing, and you can gradually begin writing | | | | nothing about your subject or who easily accepts |
| about your intended subject or assignment. | | | | what you do. You might even address an email to |
| Sometimes we get stuck coming up with an idea for | | | | them and begin telling your story or writing about the |
| what to write about. This is understandable. There is a | | | | subject to them. |
| solution, however. Instead of coming up with a good | | | | Make it a habit to keep typing or writing without |
| idea for your topic, come up with twenty ideas that | | | | pauses. Resist stopping to research, reread, edit, or |
| may or may not have any merit. Just rattle off | | | | procrastinate. Facts can always be checked later, |
| possibilities. By coming up with twenty instead of one, | | | | editing can be done later, and relaxation time will be |
| you have no expectation for all of them to be good. | | | | more fun after you have gotten this done. Get |
| After, you can choose the best among your selection. | | | | something down first. |
| Instead of your usual outline, try phrasing your jumping | | | | Always talk to yourself positively about writing. Think |
| off points as questions. Just as in journalism, who, | | | | about what excites you or is interesting about the topic |
| what, when, where, why, and how questions can lead | | | | or story, and try to tell that to your audience. |
| you to what to write. It is easier to write a paragraph | | | | |