Blogger's block ? What's that ?

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Please help me! I see a blank screen. I feel like I have an empty head. There are these random thoughts in my mind which I can hardly pass as ideas. WHAT DO I DO?

Looks familiar? It means, you have this extremely common incurable condition that is termed as "Writer's block".

Or so you thought. 

There was a time when I dreaded the so-called Writer's Block or Blogger's Block. All charged up to write something, I would arm myself with my laptop, a writing pad and lots of free time. But the moment my fingers click open a new post page or an empty Word document, *POOF*! Everything would vanish from sight and head.

Well, not any more. I have read and re-read articles on this topic and now I follow some simple methods to make sure I never contract this condition ever again. 

Below listed are some of my techniques to help overcome Blogger's block. Feel free to comment and share your thoughts.

1. Make an idea list - Personally, I found this method the most effective. Every now and then, I would get an idea which would be great to blog about. In order to not let it exist only in memory, I made a list with all the things that I would like to blog about in the future. Result - I don't have to strain thinking for an idea when I am ready to blog. I look at my list, pick an idea I would like to write about, publish a post on the idea and strike it off my list. An idea journal helps too.
2. Join blogging communities - The perks of joining blogging groups are that you get inspiration from other bloggers and you get prompts or blog ideas. All you have to do then is only develop the prompt into a post. This is much easier when you think you have run out of ideas.
3. Take part in writing challenges - Weekly and monthly challenges help me to brainstorm further of how I want to keep my blog updated on a regular basis. To ease the trouble of choosing what to blog everyday, I make a blogging calendar. This helps me to plan upfront on my blog posts and their schedule. I keep weekends for on-the-spot writing so that my thoughts are natural and I don't lose the creative edge.
4. Look for inspiration in everyday experiences - Look around you. Is there a story behind the two-wheeler that you purchased ? Blog about it. Is there an interesting thought to share about your last train travel ? Blog about it. Did something funny happen at work today ? Share it. I find that my day-to-day experiences provide me with many ideas for blog posts.
5. Visit other blogs, read their posts and reflect - Many a times when I visit a friend's blog it gives me a chance to share my views on their posts and it also inspires me with some ideas. I had created a post on my 'Anti-bucket' list some time ago. At the end of the post, I had requested fellow bloggers to share their views if they had to create a similar list. A fellow blogger complimented that it was a good idea and that she would blog about it soon. So look for ideas in fellow bloggers' questions.
6. Take a break - If you think you have been spending too much on generating ideas for posts then take a break. Go for a walk, do some reading, watch some TV - anything that you like. It pauses your thoughts for a while. When you get back to blogging, I guarantee there will be new ideas bubbling in your mind.
7. Collaborate with other bloggers - Join blog hops, pose interview questions to a fellow blogger/famous personality/yourself or the best choice - guest blogging. Request other bloggers to do a guest post on your blog on a topic of their choice.
8. Create a 'My favorite posts' series - If you have been blogging for a while then look back at your blog posts and choose some favorites - 5, 10 or any number. When you think about how you wrote that post, does it bring some old memories ? Was there a reason why you chose to write it back then ? Blog about it. You can create a weekly blog post series called - 'My favorite posts' and post on a weekly basis.
9. What's on your mind, right now? - Whenever I get overwhelmed with too many ideas for a blog post or by the lack of it, I simply create a 'What's on my mind, right now?' post. It helps me unload the thoughts trapped in my mind, get them in writing and helps me prioritize. Go on, try it.
10. Never believe in Writer's block - True. It's all in your head. So throw it out. If you refuse to acknowledge the block, it will cease to exist at all.

Hope you found this post helpful. 

Do share your views on how do you overcome writer's block either in the comments below or on your blog ? 

Good luck :)

**Linked with Write Tribe's Wednesday Prompt**

Yours truly,


                  **Linking to the Ultimate Blog Challenge for July 2014 and BlogHer - NaBloPoMo**