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What Are the Best Ways to Overcome Writers' Block?

By Roy Peter Clark

Even the most prolific writers find themselves, on occasion, blocked. Remember the character played by Jack Nicholson in "The Shining"?

OK, so it may be an exaggeration to say that writer's block turns authors into ax murderers. But it's easy to see how the writer's frustration can turn into metaphors of "exsanguination" -- as they say on "CSI." Famous writers talk about opening a vein or sweating blood or giving birth.

For some writers, constant procrastination can turn into an ulcer, especially under the acid of a deadline. But there are some powerful tools that writers in every genre have developed for pulverizing that block and building momentum in their writing.

The word "inertia" describes a law of physics: Stationary things tend to remain stationary; and things in motion remain in motion. Think of that as a metaphor for writers. You don't want to be an inert writer in the negative sense. You want to "bust a move."

Learn about the specific tools and remedies that will put your writing in motion when you join us for a chat Thursday, March 25, at 3 p.m. ET.

Full post as published by Writing Tools on March 24, 2010 (boomark / email).