Liz Strauss at Successful Blog

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October 9, 2008

A Thinker’s Workaround to Conquering Writer’s Block

Liz wrote this at 1:09 pm

Start with the Big Picture or with the Details

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In my work with writers, being frozen at the blank screen seems to be the most common concern. We call it “writer’s block,” but it’s really “thinker’s block” — we can think of what we want to say. The worst is when we have an idea, but can’t think of how to get started.

To conquer writer’s block, start with how you arrange your thoughts.

Do you go from big picture to the details or do you use the details to build your big picture? Pick the one that’s you and then use it to work around to a new idea.

Starting with the Big Picture

Top-down thinkers think in big chunks. We don’t do well just writing to fill a page. Try this to defeat that white screen.

Finish off the blank screen like a three-course meal.

Building from the Detail

Bottom up thinkers build thought by thought. If you’re the kind who finds it easier to write an outline after the article is done, try this instead.

A writer’s goal is a thought that moves readers in some way.

We get there through our own process.

Do you go top-down, bottom-up, or do you have a way in of your own?

–ME “Liz” Strauss
If you think Liz can help with a problem you’re having with your writing, check out the Work with Liz!! page in the sidebar.

Related
Why Dave Barry and Liz Don’t Get Writer’s Block
Don’t Hunt IDEAS — Be an Idea Magnet
10 Ways to Start a Blog Post — 01-29-07





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16 Comments to “A Thinker’s Workaround to Conquering Writer’s Block”

  1. October 9th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
    marti garaughty said

    hi Liz, I guess whatever works for each of us is the right way to go. For me…

    I tend to look at the final point, i.e. what is the lesson of my post and work backwards from there and along the way, trying to find interesting ways to illustrate my point(s).

    Because I’m also a graphic/blog designer my posts tend to be filled with lots of eye candy but it’s always relevant to what I’m trying to say.

    Sometimes that sets me off in a new direction altogether but in the end, it usually works out somehow. ;-)

  2. October 9th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
    Amy Derby said

    This was so good I had to read this in two parts. In part because my head hurts. (Too much thinking maybe?)

    To answer your question, it depends on what I’m writing. If it’s something creative, I start with the last sentence. Almost always. I’m a freak like that. Then I start at the first sentence and just sorta go with the flow till I get there.

    For corporate workstuffs? Whole other process. It hurts my brain a lot, this other process. But it’s kinda like what you described up there. I’m not big on eating, so I don’t think of it like Appetizer — Entree — Dessert (although I probably will now, because you have a way of getting stuff stuck in my head!) but it’s a similar three part thingy.

    This will probably sound morbid, but I swear it’s not. I think skeleton, guts, skin. Bones first, then the important stuff, then the skin to make it shiny. (Bad part: I don’t do hair, so in my analogy I guess my guy is always bald?)

  3. October 9th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
    Jannie said

    I’m kind of a mood-driven blogger. A lot of times I write best when I’m in a happy-silly mood, as I do aim to keep things light and bright on my blog (except the poems which usually tend to examine darker things.

    I also find my pieces that flow out quickly read best while the ones I tweak and tweak usually ends up feeling strained.

  4. October 10th, 2008 at 7:03 am
    Robert Hruzek said

    You mean there’s more than one way to do it? (light bulb lights up)

    Very rarely does the “outline” method work for me. And for the longest time I let that slow me down as a writer. Because I couldn’t do it, I thought I wasn’t able to write.

    But the “bottom up” method is exactly what unlocked my creativity! Once I realized that’s what works for me - then the floodgates seemed to fly open! What a relief to know it’s really a valid technique!

  5. October 10th, 2008 at 10:47 am
    Richard Reeve said

    Often I find the blockage to stem from an emotional place. If I give myself to the emotion that is demanding my attention (and I’m often avoiding), I tend to find a new content stream in the midst of my resistance.

  6. October 10th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
    10/10/2008 Writing Jobs and Links » PoeWar said

    [...] A Thinker’s Workaround to Conquering Writer’s Block: The plan is to move from the big picture to the details. [...]

  7. October 11th, 2008 at 8:19 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Marti,
    I often us pictures to inspire me. Then I go top down to my thoughts. I’m not very good at walking in straight lines for very long. :)

  8. October 11th, 2008 at 8:20 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Amy,
    Where you think skeletons, I think high-rise buildings frameworks, floors, rooms, then walls and furniture, but it’s the same thing. :)

  9. October 11th, 2008 at 8:21 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Jannie,
    I know what you mean. I call those the ones written with the magic pen in my head. ;)

  10. October 11th, 2008 at 8:22 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Richard,
    I guess I do that, but in a different way, I walk around until I find the word that I’m looking for. :)

  11. October 17th, 2008 at 7:03 am
    Book Review: On Writing Well | Aligning Technology, Strategy, People & Projects said

    [...] A Thinker’s Workaround to Conquering Writer’s Block [...]

  12. October 18th, 2008 at 1:48 am
    Book Review: On Writing Well | Eric's Book Reviews said

    [...] A Thinker’s Workaround to Conquering Writer’s Block [...]

  13. October 23rd, 2008 at 10:55 pm
    Translator Jobs said

    ill have myself a nice workplace… in front of a relaxing scenery might help getting the job done better

  14. November 4th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
    How To Stimulate Your Creativity To Write Great Articles | The Antijerk said

    [...] A Thinker’s Workaround to Conquering Writer’s Block [...]

  15. November 4th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
    antijerk said

    From big picture to details or vice versa? That’s a great concept. I never really stopped to think that it could be done either way!

    I suppose I alternate these two approaches depending on my mood for the day, or the difficulty of the task. Sometimes when I have a great idea I need to break it down into smaller points and write for each one separately.

    Other times it is useful to just start writing and then re-analyze it later and sometimes re-write it from the details again.

    This post of yours has helped me to realize the difference. Thanks. Glad I found your blog today.
    Gregory Allan

  16. November 16th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
    Sally Strebel said

    Great post, Liz. Thanks for sharing. I’m a start with the big picture kinda gal. At times it can be overwhelming because there are so many faucets that go into the big picture. Once I get started writing, I realize that I could write a novel so I scale down. Well than wouldn’t ya know, the bits and pieces lessen my grandiose initial vision. Now I use action verbs to spice it up and a brainstorming technique similar to yours.

    All the best,
    Sally Strebel
    @BizGirl

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