I don't know what to say: writers' block vs sleeping on the job

Welcome to the world of writers everywhere.

Here I am, a wordsmith, poet, songwriter – and I'm stuck in front of every writer's nightmare: a blank screen and blinking cursor.

This website used to be just a pretty online brochure. I was very excited when Robert helped me to restructure it into a dynamic and interactive e-venue for conversation and debate – all part of the great and expanding vision for Wordsworx.

Now, only a few posts into this site's life, I have a problem. And it's this. Even though I have a list of more than 20 topic ideas, I don't know what to say!

You see, I don't want to rehash the same old topics that every 'guru' and his or her protegé have written about, such as the importance of having a conversation with your readers, the power of testimonials, how to write a press release or article, positive vs negative language, and so on.

Although these things are important, I want to offer my own insights here. And have a bit of fun while doing so.

Is writers' block real?

Or is our fertile imagination offering us a globally understood excuse for not being able to produce?

Is it just our creative self sleeping on the job?

I believe that the process of actually writing or typing words and allowing them to flow without being critical of them is a good way to nudge the sleeping creator inside and say, 'hey you, wake up, come here and give me a hand'.

The more often you write, the more readily your creative self will realise it's on duty.

By going through the physical mechanics of writing at a certain time more regularly, in a familiar and comfortable space, you will send a wake-up call to your creative self. It will snap to attention, rub the sleep from its eyes, and will delight in guiding your thoughts and your fingers along an original path.

Obviously I need to apply this practice to my blogposts! When I used to be editor of a technology magazine, I had no problem turning out an editorial each month.

Bear with me while I wake up my creative self and make her a cup of strong coffee.


And remember: mind your language!