More suggestions to overcoming writer’s block and how to start writing. You can also find 10 top tips here.

Start Writing!

It can be daunting to be faced with a blank sheet of paper or Word document and to wonder where to begin. Writing is not the easiest thing to do; it takes time and energy to get it right.

When the dreaded writer’s block strikes, you can be tempted to make negative comparisons to others, particularly if it’s an author whose work inspired you to put pen to paper. But like everything else in life, comparing yourself this way is not helpful. Writing well doesn’t mean fulfilling an arbitrary quota of words per day, or crafting a humorous blog post in half an hour. It means creating something you’re proud of, that you want to share with others.

Be Inspired by the Writing of Others

Personal experiences are what makes writing worth reading, and what you’ve done and seen is different to both Stephen King and the carwash entrepreneur down the road. Focus on your achievements and write about what you care about, not what you think people want to read.

There are positives from admiring an author, though, whether they write fiction or non-fiction. What aspects of their writing do you like? Is it the way they draw the reader into another world, or is it because they can clearly explain a difficult business concept?

Take inspiration from this, and see if you can incorporate what they do into your own work. For fiction, look at the words they use to create atmosphere or a sense of character. How did they move the plot on and were all the loose ends tied up satisfactorily?

With non-fiction, pay attention to the heading and opening lines – did it catch your attention? Do you want to learn more about the subject in the article or book and did they capture the human interest element of the story?

Use this as an exercise to build your confidence and prevent demotivating yourself.