Three steps to break an essay writer's block

So I had to write a 300 word blog post for a writing job application yesterday. It was a random topic about a business strategy. I wasn't too fussed with the topic, I spent two years studying management before the content became largely lethargic and I headed on to pastures new. However, at least I gained the ability to knock out some academic writing.

The issue was the little clock counting down on the top right of my screen, I had forty minutes to complete the test, not a problem. Except, as my fingers caressed the keyboard, all I could hear was the incessant silent beats of the tick tock, tick tock. My mind went blank. Fortunately, this was not the first time I've faced a strict deadline and found a mental wall in my way. Over the years I have worked out a few tools to get me on track and at least writing something. I've found that once I get going, the words travel onto the screen fairly easily.


Technique 1: Walking around, mumbling to myself.
Sitting and staring doesn't help anyone, not least me. It is proven that a walk around actually stimulates brain cells into making connections. Try it, it really works. I often pace the halls jubilantly muttering words of wisdom, like some insane captured villain plotting his vengeance.

Technique 2: Plan your paragraphs

I can't sell this enough - writing anything factual - perhaps anything at all - needs planning. The simplest way to do this is to paragraph the content. You will need an introduction - so first paragraph is simply "Introduction" Then you simplify each subsequent paragraph into a keyword or argument. Do not overwrite at this stage, unless you suddenly conjure a perfectly timeless quotable prose that you must simply thrown down before it's lost in your forgotten memory somewhere between your partner's favourite fragrance and the first lines of S Club 7's 'Reach'.
From this point it becomes much easier to flesh out each paragraph, and your writing has a structure as a starting point. It can always be jiggled around at some point once the writing is flowing.

Technique 3: Do Some Research

When I really struggle for inspiration on a certain topic, I remember the whole point of academic writing, comparing and critiquing other people's work. Stop for a moment - google your topic and find another point of view. It could be that one piece of the jigsaw that completes your work and leave you ready to write.

Whatever the strategy - just don't leave academic writing to the last minute. As I learnt in the job application - you always end up needing just a little more time!

What can you write?

So you want to try and do some writing?

This is what I asked myself on Boxing Day this year. A particularly busy, life affirming year. Over the years I have undertaken many different projects and followed many different roads leading generally to the same place, boredom. I have always liked the idea of writing though.

I studied creative writing at university and did very well with it, but life happened and I couldn't commit to the universally wonderful yet overwhelming world of online writing. I'm going to try again though, and this time - although it might take me years to get there (thanks for the heads up Kristen Lamb) - I am persevering.

So next step is what to write. I had a look at how people got paid for writing, and gone are the days for having things published and searching for agents. It seems the work is there globally and anyone can grasp it. Sites like Freelancer and Scripted are a gateway to the world of writing, editing and creating. Still though, no ideas for what I could write. Then it came to me. My life experiences have generally been dull, but they have been in many worlds of expertise, with interesting characters and my pockets of 'saviour-faire' amassed from various job opportunities.

So, because I've never been an all eggs kinda guy, I came up with ten (yes 10) areas I feel I could write about. Eventually, perhaps, someone will tell me if I am any good at any of these. For now, it gives me a liberated view into the writing world. I can write, I am knowledgeable and I am determined.

My Top Ten Writing Topics

(This is in no particular order)


#1. Children's Writing

I have two young children, and I often create stories with them. They seem to enjoy my stories - although Dr. Suess and any Disney Princess lead the way for requests. Perhaps I will venture into some ridiculous prose or try my hand at some picture books. Now if I can just find an illustrator....

#2. Poetry

Hold on there Reader - I am terrible at poetry. I love reading it though, particularly poems with a pounding rhythm. I also love the challenge of a Haiku, or I could easily link with my #1 topic and create some fun sounding verses:

If the robin comes tweeting,
then he's late for a meeting,
with General Crow and
old Swanny McGeeting.

#3. Horror

So where did that fit with the first two? Actually, I'm not too bad at the old 'scare 'em onto the next page' writing. It is where most of my degree literature was created and where I mainly get my fiction buzz. There is a fine line between darkness and children literature, both often require fantastical imagination. The Gruffalo isn't exactly something you'd want to meet in the forest, whatever your age.

#4. Maths

What now? Maths (or Math, if you live a long swim away) is my other love. I teach it, I tutor it, I read about it, I tweet about it, and I already blog about it. So probably keep it mostly over there :)

#5. Music

A lot of my spare time, when I could have been writing I suppose, has been taken up by DJing. I have played from back gardens to festivals, and I know music from Hard Dance right through to Soul and Funk. I'll chew someone's ear off about music and how modern dance music IS a valid form of musical expression, and that all music can be enjoyed if you put the effort in to it.

#6. Sport

I don't plan on writing too much about sport, but it's a go to subject with male relatives when the awkward silence brews. Football? Check. Tennis? Check. American Football? Check. Cricket? Curling? Golf? Dodgeball? Why not. Checkity Check Check.

#7. Science Fiction

Hmmm, actually, let me be more specific. Apocalypse writing. New worlds, End of Worlds, Alternate Worlds. Anything that vaguely resembles but is far different from our world. I'm okay with that.

#8. Films and Television

I barely go to the cinema anymore, unless it is to see the latest PIXAR or a rerun of Frozen. So I make do with the small screen and whilst I still watch some great films, my attention has been to devour boxsets when possible. Let's face it, it's closer to a great novel than a 100 minute film ever does. TWD, GoT, True Detective, Downton Abbey, they all occupy a small part of my life when they return to the portal in the corner of my lounge. I don't do spoilers though.

#9. Education

I love being educated - I never want to stop being taught new things and learning new skills. I would be a student for ever if it wasn't for those pesky bills. I also am a part of the education system now, and I am vehemently passionate about getting education right. Not just in my field of mathematics, but in its entirety. Clean up education, and in a few generations the world will be a superior habitat ready to conquer the future's greatest tests.

#10. Myself

I guess I could talk about me, of which this entire post wouldn't have been possible without. I don't like to talk about myself much though normally. Writing this post has felt like therapy. Having said that, I don't know what therapy feels like.

So ten things to get me started - I should never find myself with writer's block. I will aim to be creative, but also intellectual. Interesting, but amicable. Amusing, but thrilling.

I will no doubt drop some of these ten topics over the coming months. Some may be terrible posts, some may be as dull as this one, but hopefully, given a few attempts at this writing dream, hopefully, I will get ONE THING WRITE.