The blank page: part 1

All writers find themselves staring at a blank page from time to time, and paralysis takes hold. Writer’s block can last a few minutes or a few years. When it strikes, writers need to have a few tricks up their sleeves to help them get started. Here’s a little trick that a writer friend shared with me...

Whenever she got stuck, she’d go back to a passage in her manuscript that she’d highlighted earlier. It was a particular bit of writing that she liked, one that made her think she might actually be good at this writing thing. She would read it over and her frame of mind would switch. Fear and self-doubt melted away. Then she’d be able to begin again. One word, then another, then another. Her book is done now (and you can get it here).

Getting started is often the hardest thing. Once you’re in it, it’s hard to stop.

I’m going to share a few other kick-starters with you over the coming weeks. I’d love to hear from you if there’s anything you do to get yourself going when you're staring at a blank page. Get in touch if you’re stuck, too, and I’ll see if I can help.