25 Ways To Battle Blogger’s Block

by Smart Boy on May 20, 2009

in Blogging

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Bloggers oftentimes must do battle with blogger’s (writer’s) block. You’ve got an hour to snap out a quick blog post, you get yourself a drink, nestle down behind your keyboard — and — nothing. Your brain freezes up, and not a single phrase or thought comes to mind.

Use the following, and free up the clutter in your brain – and start thinking up new and exciting blog posts.

1. Take A “Photo” Walk

Much can be gained from a quick walk – especially with a camera in hand. This will leave you feeling creative and motivated – and ready to write your next blog post.

2. Get Some Sleep

Some of the greatest inventions have been dreampt before built. Take a nap if you’re feeling “unworthy” to write, and you’ll soon find yourself flowing with writing juices.

3. Go Out To Dinner

Not only should you go out to dinner, but you should enjoy time with family and friends. Talk to others around you, and open your mind to new ideas and possibilities.

4. Watch A Movie

It seems that some of my greatest thoughts come by way of movie-going. Great plots, excellent footage and lovable characters all help to create an atmosphere of deep thinking.

5. Listen To Music

Music is the gateway to the soul. Listen to your favorite tunes, and try some new ones while you’re at it. Pay close attention to lyrics – they’ll get your brain thinking in new ways.

6. Read Other Blogs

When you’re still craving for some new ideas for your blog – be sure to read the latest posts updated on your chosen feedreader. I prefer Google Reader, and always enjoy reading the latest in content, as it freshens the mind and helps to spark new thoughts.

7. Take A Shower

The shower is the mecca of creativity. Who doesn’t think deeply while massaging their scalp?

8. Call A Long Lost Friend

Pick up the phone, and call someone you haven’t spoken to in years. All the crying and emotional stress will hopefully help in bringing post ideas to your mind.

9. Change Your Clothes

If no thoughts come to mind – change your clothes. This will turn you into a different person, and bring you to a different frame of mind. If you were originally wearing bright clothes – go dark. And viceversa.

10. Read A Book

Sit down and read a good book, whether fiction or non-fiction. This is one of the best ways to develop creativity – and strengthen your writing skills.

reading

11. Go On Vacation

If you’ve been suffering from blogger’s block for many a day – then take a long vacation. It will relieve you from stress, and help to rejuvanate the writing side of your mind.

12. Head To The Gym

Endorphins are released when working out – and magical thoughts are sometimes portrayed when pounding out a 30 minute session on the treadmill. Dig up that old membership – and get to the gym!

13. Cuddle Your Pets

Pets help us connect to the softer parts of our personalities. This is a great way to relax, and bring your mind back to base.

14. Grab The Keys, Go On A Drive

Much can be seen on a short drive. People, animals, businesses, landmarks – all aide in sparking our writing abilities.

15. Window Shop

It wouldn’t be beneficial to drain your wallet everytime you have blogger’s block – so head to your local chain of retail stores, and window shop. You’ll see advertisements, antiques, random memorabilia, tasty food – and much, much more. This will surely help to clear your mind.

16. Stare At A Wall

This might seem boring – but it’s practiced by many. Free yourself from all thoughts, and truly study the wall. The creases, differences in color, dust and paint specks. Finding a better understanding of something so insignificant will make larger tasks seem simple.

17. Use the Keyword Questions Tool

Wordtracker Labs offers an excellent tool. It’s called the Keyword Questions tool. Plug in any keyword related to your blog niche – and out comes a list of questions people ask online related to that specific keyword. A great way to come up with some quick blog post ideas.

18. Clean Your Desk (or house)

Although it might be begrudgingly – pick up that mop and start cleaning. You might even find some interesting items – long forgotten.

19. Visit Twitter Search

Twitter’s search page offers a great list of the latest trends – and is a gateway into a spectacular collection of the human mind. Search your way to a new blog post idea.

20. Stretch The Mind With Yoga

Yoga is all about clearing the mind – and focusing on one specific task. These skills will definately come in handy when it’s time to write.

yoga

21. Draw

Pick up a pencil, a piece of paper – and start drawing. The possibilities are endless.

22. Albabetize Your Library

Most of us have a gangly collection of books & movies. Take the time to alphabetize your entire collection. This will force you to read book titles, and spark the mind with new ideas.

23. Look At Old Blog Posts

Pull up your blog archive and browse through your oldest posts. Your first reaction might be one of disgust, but take your old posts – and rewrite them into new masterpieces.

24. Check Your Statistics & Analytics

Analytics programs like Google Analytics offers a list of keywords visitors use to find your blog. Use these keywords to write new blog posts.

25. Read My Blog

If all else fails – which may happen in dire situations – read my blog. I’m sure I’ll have something to offer, in order to battle your blogger’s block. ;-)

How do you battle blogger’s block? Share it in the comments!

What Next?

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  • del.icio.us
  • LinkedIn
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  • Reddit
  • Propeller
  • NewsVine
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  • Identi.ca
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  • As a novice in this field, I am very fortunate to have come across your page
  • @Serene Low :- don't eat to much... because you will have another problem

    i think you have a good idea but there have to much list to do..
  • I battle bloggers block, with tip #1, except that I don't take a camera with me. I feel that the most relaxing walk is during the summer night time. Just walking around and gathering my thoughts is really relaxing.

    Till then,

    Jean
  • I have blogger's block. What subject should I blog about next?please suggest me.
  • Thanks for sharing your own methods for battling blogger's block! Enjoyed them. :-)
  • I am a rank beginner and I was looking for this exact information. Lucky for me I found your site at the beginning of my searching.
  • Hey this is good stuff. So glad you posted this. I enjoy reading blogs like this.
  • Very helpful of you to post information like this for all of us to use.
  • As a novice in this field, I am very fortunate to have come across your site.
  • As a total newbie in this area, I learned a lot from your articles here. I just have to say a sincere thank you.
  • Your site is very full of good information. Everyone can learn so many things by reading here.
  • Fascinating. Thanks for informing me of this. This is very useful.
  • I will add a couple of points to this.

    1. See google / twitter trends
    2. Visit digg or a forum and you get tonnes of ideas.
    3. Don't let the block come by constantly maintaining a 'TODO' list of topics that you want to write about.
    4. Write about your favorite bloggers and spread some link love ;-)
  • This is quite good, thanks. It's gonna be very useful for many.
  • Loved your ideas! :) I occassionally can not think of anything to blog about but the way that I combat it is I keep drafts. Whenever an idea pops into my head, I write a brief outline and then come back and finish one of them on days that I have nothing to say. :) Sometimes it's not such new "news" but it's something that I had wanted to write about.

    I started noticing that I don't have many blog readers over the weekend so I've been trying really hard to limit myself to only 5 or 6 blog posts per week. Now that is HARD for chatty me! lol
  • Wow - you outdid yourself! What a list - so comprehensive I'm exhausted reading through it, haha! Often I'll get "distracted" on line, starting out with one idea and then discovering something even better! I can't imagine anyone having blogger's block reading this blog!
  • How I cope with bloggers' block? I shut down the pc. Then I make sure I walk far away from the pc. I make myself a nice hot drink and munch some cookies. I try to keep my mind free by staring out at the balcony and take in the beautiful scenes of nature. I also resort to painting or cleaning up house very often and you are so right to say that in the process of freeing our minds, new thoughts and ideas just flow in. That's when I have to quickly grab a ball pen and quickly put it down in point forms before I forget it.
  • This is great info for everyone. Glad you posted this. I am subscribing to this blog. Mason
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