How to overcome writer's fatigue or writer's block

Travel writer's block

Let's start off by stating that there are few ways of preventing an attack of writer's fatigue or as it is more commonly known, writer's block.

It is often known as writer's flu because when it hits you, it hits. Your concentration will immediately flag and you will lose all focus and direction. It can be very frustrating.

Half the battle is to recognise it for what it is and try and focus on beating it rather than working through it.

We have compiled some techniques that should help you tackle writer's block head on.

Why does writer's block happen?

There seems to be no definitive answer to this question that has been bugging writers for years. There appears to be no pattern and the affliction affects all writers differently.

There have been a number of reasons put forward as to the causes of writer's block. One such theory is overworking. Writer's tend to set their own workload and can sometimes set unrealistic goals for themselves causing extra long hours.

Another theory is the sheer lack of motivation and stimulation. These symptoms can appear in any type of job. The fact is travel writers and indeed any writer can spend a lot of time in their own company when they work.

Practical steps to help prevent writer's block

Find you peak working time and use it

We all have a time in the working day that we consider our peak hours for productivity. Many people tend to be more productive in the morning at work. There has been research to suggest that most productive work in offices is undertaken between the hours of 9am and 11:30am.

Some people tend to prefer the afternoon or even the evening.

The point is that is does n't really matter when your peak is. What you need to do is utilise this time as best you can because you are far less likely to get writer's block during this period.

Set yourself achievable deadlines

Another way to help prevent writer's block is to give yourself easy and achievable deadlines. It is like chopping your work up into bite-sized chunks that are more easily consumed.

Not only can this method help with the prevention of writer's block but it will also assist any motivational issues you may have. After you have achieved your deadline give yourself a reward such as a coffee break.

You have writer's block. How you do work through it?

There are a number of things you can do to rid yourself of writer's block

1. If you are completely stuck try re-reading what you have written up to now. It may help kick start the creative flow again.

2. Take a break from what you are doing. Get up from your desk and do anything else. Household chores, take the dog for a walk, phone a friend, it really does n't matter what you do providing it does not involve your writing.

3. If you feel the onslaught of writer's block coming on then try and do a bit more reading around your subject. It could be that you have not done enough research in the first place which is assisting the block.