Untying Knots
One of the things that I wrote about was how writing about business was like “pulling my teeth out.”
I figured that was an interesting phrase as and after I wrote it.
So, this morning, I figured I’d pull on the thread; see why I felt like that, figure out what to do about it, and then figure out what to do about that.
My conclusion; if you’re suffering from some sort of block, there’s a three step process to get on, over, and past whatever you’re stuck with. Let’s go.
Step One: Figure Out What The Block Is
Most of us have blocks that we don’t know are there. Until I wrote about my displeasure yesterday, I just thought that I was having trouble writing the daily blog posts. Call it that I was rusty, or the world had changed since I last blogged, and so on.
Really though, it didn’t occur to me until after the fact that I’m fine writing about topics that aren’t related to online business. It was only business topics that gave me the issue.
Having figured out the block, we move on to the next part.
Step Two: Synthesise The Block
We’ve worked out, following my example that writing about business has been a block.
Why?
Pull the strings until you figure it out – for me, it’s mostly a case of the nature of my business having changed dramatically in recent years. I’m trying to write as a copywriting freelance who runs a blog in his free time while juggling clients.
That hasn’t been me for a long time; so I’m unintentionally hitting a wall when I write.
But, the answer is in the question; how has my business changed? What do I do now?
In this step, you turn the problem into the solution. It’s a huge source of energy akin to untying a knot.
Step Three: Follow Inspiration
Writing should be easy, as jobs go.
The problem you likely have is one of two things, if you’re suffering from writer’s block:
1. You don’t have the technical ability to express what you need to through words. Think about back in school or University where you had to write some deep essay about topics you didn’t full understand, and then you didn’t have the vocabulary or depth of knowledge to express what you wanted to say on the subject.
2. You don’t have the inspiration to write. This is where, for instance, you’re back in school and you’re writing an essay about a subject that you can’t relate to and/or doesn’t interest you.
Assuming you have written English to a decent extent and you’re relaying stories about your life, there’s nothing difficult about writing a little journey blog like this one.
For me, it was just a case of figuring out where the knot was, and then Socratically pulling on that and working out why I’m knotted up in the first place.
After the knot comes undone, you’re free to write as and when you’re inspired again.
So, that’ll give a hint of the next week’s worth of posts, as well as the direction in which this whole project is going.
I’ll see you in the next one.