Stuck? 49 ways to crack writer’s block |
- collect quotes with attribution from multiple sources on a topic of interest
- write about a recent powerful dream you’ve had
- write about the last nightmare you remember having. If you haven’t had one or don’t remember one, then write about a nightmare you could envision and tie into your topic.
- compile and share your list of things you’ve always wanted to do
- EXISTING BLOG/SITE: search through past comments and write a post responding to one or more of them that you meant to respond to and haven’t yet
- EXISTING BLOG/SITE: search through and follow-up on a past post with an update of your current position or opinion
- collect quotes posts from another blogger on a topic of interest over time and comment on any changes
- review a blog you’ve read
- review a blog you’re new to reading or just found on a topic of interest
- review a website you’ve visited before
- review a website you are a first time visitor at
- review a product you’ve bought
- review a service
- review a book
- list some books you’d like to read along with why
- review a movie
- list some movies you’d like to see along with why
- write about a recent positive customer service experience
- write about a recent negative customer service experience
- set and write about a short term goal (less than 31 days) and track progress daily
- set and write about a medium term goal (31-180 days) and track progress weekly
- set and write about a long term goal (more than 6 months) and track progress weekly or monthly
- tell an interesting story about food related to your topic of interest. For example, if it’s technology site, what types of food might geeks eat?
- compare various search engine results on a topic of interest.
- collect articles and blog posts links on a recent news story and add what you liked or disliked about each article (try Google News, Topix.net for recent news)
- liveblogging or summarize: report on a live event, web conference (online only), IRC
make a short term prediction (less than 31 days) on a topic of interest to you and recap its progress at the conclusion - make a medium term prediction (31-180 days) on a topic of interest to you and recap its progress at the conclusion
- make a long term prediction (more than 6 months) on a topic of interest to you and recap its progress at the conclusion
- write about something you are afraid of and why
- write a how-to on something you’ve done or know how to do
- learn something new and record the step-by-step process (with screenshots) of how to do it and share
- write about a favorite place you’ve visited and why and give the map coordinates
- write about places you’d like to visit before you die
- write about a favorite restaurant you’ve eaten at, why, and give the map coordinates
- take a picture of and share something in your backyard or neighborhood (near your home or office) that you find interesting and share why it’s interesting to you
- revisit a place where you grew up and take pictures and write about what you remember and what’s changed with the surroundings
- write about an event where you or someone you know was in danger (you do not have to reveal names or can change the names if it’s too personal)
- AUDIO: record and link sound (or share a link to a sound file) that you find interesting, unique, funny or strange. Tell why.
- write about when you plan to retire or if you already are retired what you like most and least about retirement
- list 5 things you must have if you were stranded on a deserted island. Try to tie into a favorite topic. For example, if it’s a food blog, would you need something cooking-related?
write about what you enjoy listening to when you write. What type sounds (or silence) inspires you to write more? - bury something and make a plan to return in one or more years and report on its status. Take pictures so you have current and future pictures to put side by side.
- build something with your hands, take pictures and record the experience for others.
- draw a picture and let readers add captions
- find/share a picture and let readers add captions
- create a contest with a prize, make sure if nobody wins that you have an alternate plan to give away the prize
- start a charity drive for a good cause and write about your experience
- write about an experience auctioning off something new on eBay or another online auction service
- visit and write about an interesting local business. If you can interview the owner/manager.
- random surf using something like StumbleUpon, you’ll find something that jumpstarts your mind
Did this post make you go hmm?
(3 votes, average: 4.67 out of 5)
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50. Go through your spam and start baiting 419 Scammers with clever and witty (read: ridiculous) counter-scams.
Comment by Simon — August 17, 2006 @ 7:17 am PST
[…] Stuck? 49 ways to crack writer’s block by TDavid […]
Pingback by 82 More Lists - Group Writing Project Reader Submissions Part III — August 17, 2006 @ 8:16 am PST
Good ideas. There are times when I could use something like this.
Comment by John — August 17, 2006 @ 8:43 am PST
All excellent ideas. I’ll be sure to use some.
Comment by Leon — August 17, 2006 @ 11:33 am PST
ROTFL scam the scammers ;). Excellent ideas, they should definitely help ;). Our list is up if you’d like to look… have a great day!
Comment by MamaDuck — August 17, 2006 @ 11:36 am PST
[…] Blogging: Confessions of a serial blog deleter 49 ways to crack writer’s block 5 searches that have brought people Get traffic to your blog — top 10 Top 10 ways to get a Technorati top 100 Blogger to Link to your Blog or Website […]
Pingback by Pittsburgh Homes Daily - A Blog on Pittsburgh, its Real Estate, Realtors, Homes for Sale, and Things to Do » My Problogger List Favorites — August 17, 2006 @ 1:23 pm PST
Very nice list. We do something like a daily dose of this on our site and call them Quick Steps
Comment by Shadows Edge — August 17, 2006 @ 1:35 pm PST
Definitely del.icio.us. I reddit, too.
Comment by Sterling Camden — August 17, 2006 @ 7:25 pm PST
[…] Make You Go Hmm: » Stuck? 49 ways to crack writer’s block If one of these doesn’t give you an idea, check your EEG. (tags: blogging writersblock) […]
Pingback by links for 2006-08-18 -- Chip’s Quips — August 17, 2006 @ 9:26 pm PST
great list, every blogger needs inspiration sometimes if they want to keep blogging
Comment by Josh Maher — August 17, 2006 @ 10:12 pm PST
Nice list. Besides a nice cup of tea, I also find the following tips useful: Your obvious is your talent. Find something that you do everyday that may not be obvious to other people and write about that. Also lists. Making a list of things always provokes new ideas.
Comment by Matthew Stibbe (Bad Language) — August 19, 2006 @ 5:54 am PST
What a great list! I’ll be referring to this the next time I get Writer’s Block - which, sadly is sure to be soon…
Comment by andi — August 19, 2006 @ 2:39 pm PST
[…] 49-Ways to Bust Writers Block (tags: blogging creativity ideas motivation writing) […]
Pingback by Akkam’s Razor — August 19, 2006 @ 7:44 pm PST
[…] TDavid: 49 Ways to Crack Writer’s Block - “3. Write about the last nightmare you remember having.“ […]
Pingback by Jeff Barr’s Blog » Links for Sunday, August 20, 2006 — August 20, 2006 @ 7:28 pm PST
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Pingback by Lists Group Writing Project - Categorized — August 26, 2006 @ 3:29 am PST
[…] Jean shook his head and ordered her another hot chocolate. “You are in Paris now my sweet American. You need to think more romantically. He reached over to take her hand and looked into her blue eyes soulfully. As he began to massage her left hand, he said, “Stuck? 49 ways to crack writer’s block.” […]
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[…] when You’re Blocked - Roundup. If all else fails try the following steps one after another: Stuck? 49 Ways to Crack Writer’s Block. If that won’t get your started the problem may lie elsewhere. Perhaps should you, instead of […]
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