Overcoming Writer's Block
Whether writing a screenplay or SEO copy, all writers face a common obstacle: writer's block. How does this SEO copywriter overcome blocks in order to meet her deadlines? Here are a few friendly tips to beat the monster.
1. Thesaurus.com. If you find yourself coming up with less than exciting words, type the words that you'd rather do away with into Thesaurus.com. Then just take your pick of the litter. Ok, be smart about it. But I trusted you to do that anyway.
For example, instead of the word "make," you might try construct, fashion, assemble, cook up, fudge, generate, initiate - ok you get the idea.
2. Allow your subconscious to write. Angela Booth touched on this in her January 8, 2007 Fab Freelance Writing Blog. I've found this works for me as well. I like to read my assignment, view the web page I'll be writing for, and look at the key phrases that will be included in the copy. While I'm waiting for our SEMLogic search engine optimization software to produce semantic words for the copy, I'll work on the Meta Tags.
It may sound New Age-ish, but during all of this, my subconscious is working on the copy. Sometimes, it's working on it when I'm running an errand, eating lunch, or driving home. In a way, I'm always on the clock. But when I sit down to write, I can usually trust what my mind and gut are urging me to write.
3. Write out of order. I learned this when I wrote my first screenplay. Write what's easiest first. As you're writing, it helps develop ideas for the parts you're struggling with. Generally, writer's block doesn't affect the entire piece you're working on. It may be the opening or the call to action. Write what comes naturally first, and it will help you learn the product, service, character, or audience better - and that will aid you in writing the tough spots.
4. Write bad copy. Yeah, you read that correctly. Just don't turn in the bad copy to your client. I've found that once I get out the bad copy, it's like unlocking the gate to the good stuff hiding inside.
What are YOUR techniques for overcoming writer's block? Share them by posting a comment. I can't wait to learn new tips from fellow writers!
1. Thesaurus.com. If you find yourself coming up with less than exciting words, type the words that you'd rather do away with into Thesaurus.com. Then just take your pick of the litter. Ok, be smart about it. But I trusted you to do that anyway.
For example, instead of the word "make," you might try construct, fashion, assemble, cook up, fudge, generate, initiate - ok you get the idea.
2. Allow your subconscious to write. Angela Booth touched on this in her January 8, 2007 Fab Freelance Writing Blog. I've found this works for me as well. I like to read my assignment, view the web page I'll be writing for, and look at the key phrases that will be included in the copy. While I'm waiting for our SEMLogic search engine optimization software to produce semantic words for the copy, I'll work on the Meta Tags.
It may sound New Age-ish, but during all of this, my subconscious is working on the copy. Sometimes, it's working on it when I'm running an errand, eating lunch, or driving home. In a way, I'm always on the clock. But when I sit down to write, I can usually trust what my mind and gut are urging me to write.
3. Write out of order. I learned this when I wrote my first screenplay. Write what's easiest first. As you're writing, it helps develop ideas for the parts you're struggling with. Generally, writer's block doesn't affect the entire piece you're working on. It may be the opening or the call to action. Write what comes naturally first, and it will help you learn the product, service, character, or audience better - and that will aid you in writing the tough spots.
4. Write bad copy. Yeah, you read that correctly. Just don't turn in the bad copy to your client. I've found that once I get out the bad copy, it's like unlocking the gate to the good stuff hiding inside.
What are YOUR techniques for overcoming writer's block? Share them by posting a comment. I can't wait to learn new tips from fellow writers!
1 Comments:
I like to search the main keyphrase for the page that I'm "stumpt" on to see what sort of content is already out there. This helps me see what works, what doesn't work, and helps me come up with something really unique that will outshine the competition.
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