{"id":21298,"date":"2024-05-02T08:46:30","date_gmt":"2024-05-02T12:46:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/graduate-school\/?page_id=21298"},"modified":"2024-05-02T15:14:02","modified_gmt":"2024-05-02T19:14:02","slug":"strategies-to-overcome-writers-block","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/graduate-school\/strategies-to-overcome-writers-block\/","title":{"rendered":"Strategies to Overcome Writer&#8217;s Block"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is Writer\u2019s Block?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Writer\u2019s block is a phenomenon experienced by writers that is best described as an overwhelming feeling of being stuck in the writing process without the ability to move forward and write anything new. There are a few hard truths we must face before talking about \u201covercoming\u201d writer\u2019s block though:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>You do not overcome writer&#8217;s block by refusing to write until you feel \u201cinspired.\u201d<\/li><li>You do not overcome writer&#8217;s block by floundering &amp; feeling bad about yourself.<\/li><li>You do not overcome writer\u2019s block by being unkind or cruel to yourself.<\/li><li>You do not overcome writer&#8217;s block by procrastinating or making excuses.<\/li><li>You do not overcome writer&#8217;s block by doing <em>everything<\/em> <strong><u>but<\/u><\/strong> writing.<\/li><li><strong><u>You do not overcome writer\u2019s block by believing in writer\u2019s block.<\/u><\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Turn Down the Dial on Self-Doubt<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes we hear a critical voice in our head that make statements like \u201cno one will think this is any good\u201d or \u201cthere\u2019s already a better scholar in your field.\u201d Part of our writing practice should be learning how to turn the volume down on that voice, which has no place when we\u2019re sitting down at the blank page. That voice might be helpful later down the line when we\u2019re editing, but it\u2019s not helpful before we even begin writing. There can be a lot of emotions that can make writing difficult: frustration at the rules of writing or the publication process, anger that past attempts at writing went unnoticed or underappreciated, and\/or fears that we might not be good enough. Being aware and acknowledging these negative thoughts and feelings can be an important first step to overcoming writer\u2019s block.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Creating a Productive Work Environment<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One possible reason you may be struggling to begin writing could be connected to your writing (and by extension, your study) environment. Here\u2019s a quick little exercise to get in touch with your writing needs. Take out a sheet of paper and answer the following questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Where do you prefer to write at? What spaces feel most productive to you? Do you prefer to be at home or out at a coffee shop? Library? Grad carrel?<\/li><li>Are you energized by being around other people\u2014or is that distracting?<\/li><li>Is there a time of day that works best for you? When can you carve out writing time?<\/li><li>Do you need to incentivize yourself to get work done? Do rewards work on you? (For example, brewing tea, having snacks nearby, burning a favorite candle\u2026)<\/li><li>Do you like to listen to a certain type of music\u2014or is silence preferred?<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>After you\u2019ve spent a few minutes outlining what you value in a writing environment, consider how your current work environment compares to your ideal, and if your current situation needs any enhancements or changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Practice Prewriting Exercises<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One way to take off some of the pressure of producing your next great work is acknowledging that you don\u2019t have to go straight into writing the thing itself. There are a number of \u201cprewriting\u201d (i.e.: planning) exercises to help you begin to generate thoughts and words without putting the onus on yourself to begin your magnum opus. These activities include freewriting, list-making, brainstorming, mindmapping (clustering), looping, and\/or outlining. <strong>Resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/writing.ku.edu\/prewriting-strategies\">University of Kansas Writing Center on \u201cPrewriting Strategies\u201d<\/a><\/strong><\/li><li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/slc.berkeley.edu\/writing-worksheets-and-other-writing-resources\/you-start-writing-paper\">Berkeley Student Center on \u201cBefore You Start Writing That Paper\u2026\u201d<\/a><\/strong><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.research.ucsb.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/RD\/docs\/FREEWRITING-by-Peter-Elbow.pdf\"><strong>Peter Elbow on Freewriting<\/strong><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Use Apps to Help You Organize and Focus<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>If you get distracted easily, there are timer-based apps (for example, Self Control or Freedom) that allow you to block out websites, social media, and other internet-based distractions so you can focus on your writing. There are also plenty of \u201cGet Things Done\u201d (GTD) apps you could embrace, such as Notion, OmniFocus, Evernote, Trello, Google Keep, and ToDoIst. There are also apps to track your research\/citations, including Mendeley, Zotero, &amp; EndNote. Try researching a few and experimenting with them\u2014one of them may become a great resource for your writing practice! <strong>Resources:<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.notion.so\/\">Notion<\/a><\/strong> <\/li><li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.omnigroup.com\/omnifocus\/\">OmniFocus<\/a><\/strong> <\/li><li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/evernote.com\/\">Evernote<\/a><\/strong> <\/li><li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/trello.com\/\">Trello<\/a><\/strong> <\/li><li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/keep.google.com\/\">Google Keep<\/a><\/strong><\/li><li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/freedom.to\/\">Freedom<\/a><\/strong><\/li><li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/selfcontrolapp.com\/\">SelfControl<\/a> <\/strong><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/guides.lib.uchicago.edu\/c.php?g=297307&amp;p=1984557\"><strong>\u201cHow to Choose a Citation Manager\u201d Article<\/strong><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Set S.M.A.R.T. Goals<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019re going to be overwhelmed and doing yourself a disservice if, say, you try to write an entire dissertation chapter in one day. \u201cS.M.A.R.T.\u201d is an acronym that encourages us to make sure our goals are targeted and able to be reached. Therefore, your goals should be specific, able to be measured, actually achievable, relevant (or reasonable), and time-sensitive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>S<\/strong>pecific: Well-defined, clear, unambiguous<\/li><li><strong>M<\/strong>easurable: Create criteria that measures your progress<\/li><li><strong>A<\/strong>chievable: Attainable and not impossible to achieve<\/li><li><strong>R<\/strong>ealistic: Within reach, realistic, and relevant<\/li><li><strong>T<\/strong>ime-based: Create a clearly defined timeline that has a start date, benchmarks, and an anticipated deadline<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ucop.edu\/local-human-resources\/_files\/performance-appraisal\/How%20to%20write%20SMART%20Goals%20v2.pdf\"><strong>University of California SMART Goals Guide<\/strong><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Strengthening Your Writing Practice<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Below is a short list of ways to thwart writer\u2019s block and get closer to your goals. This is an assortment of ideas for you to try:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Try a smaller, manual task to get yourself moving right before you plan to write, such as washing the dishes or taking out the trash. Engaging in a smaller activity can get us doing <em>something<\/em>, even if it\u2019s not writing, which helps push away the apathy and malaise and resentment we can experience sometimes toward the blank page.<\/li><li>Don\u2019t wait until inspiration strikes. Create a writing schedule for yourself using your S.M.A.R.T. goals to start building in a writing routine.<\/li><li>Try working in blocks of time, such as using the Pomodoro Technique.<\/li><li>If you\u2019re in a rut, try mixing things up. Try writing in a new environment, or working on a different chapter or section of your writing project. If you feel like you\u2019re pushed up against the wall, try to think outside the box and approach your writing from a different angle.<\/li><li>If you tend to be a perfectionist, find small ways to take the pressure off, such as drafting is an \u201cugly\u201d font or avoiding titling your paper or sections until the end. Naming something can give it power, so try and find small ways to ignore the desire to be great.<\/li><li>Create an accountability group with friends so you\u2019re all working on writing together and can support each other.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Resources<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/todoist.com\/productivity-methods\/pomodoro-technique\"><strong>The Pomodoro Technique<\/strong><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Practice Wellness &amp; Use Your University Resources<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, remember to take care of yourself. Writing\u2014especially bigger writing projects like dissertations\u2014can be mentally taxing. Listen to your body and don\u2019t forget your needs as a human: sleeping and eating and even remembering to take a break from the computer screen to move your body or do some light stretches. We also have counseling and therapy services here at the university that you may want to take advantage of if you feel that your writer\u2019s block might be connected to other parts of your health and overall wellness. Resources:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/counseling\/\">Counseling Center<\/a><\/strong><\/li><li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/pcc\/\">Psychological Consultation Center<\/a><\/strong><\/li><li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/cftclinic\/\">Couple and Family Therapy Clinic<\/a><\/strong><\/li><li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/campusrec\/fitness-and-wellness\/wellness-programs\/\">Wellness Resource Center<\/a><\/strong><\/li><li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/campusrec\/well-being-coaching\/\">Well-being Coaching<\/a><\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is Writer\u2019s Block? Writer\u2019s block is a phenomenon experienced by writers that is best described as an overwhelming feeling of being stuck in the writing process without the ability to move forward and write anything new. There are a few hard truths we must face before talking about \u201covercoming\u201d writer\u2019s block though: You do [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5028,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-21298","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/graduate-school\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21298","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/graduate-school\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/graduate-school\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/graduate-school\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5028"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/graduate-school\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21298"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/graduate-school\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21298\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21415,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/graduate-school\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21298\/revisions\/21415"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/graduate-school\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21298"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}