The Blinking Cursor Nightmare

(Snippits from our oh so popular Digital Glue Podcast!)

It’s inevitable … it happens to every creative writer on this glorious planet! All our creative bones are feeling brittle, and we sometimes feel as though it’s time to throw in the towel! Including my team and I some days! What’s funny — in its own sort of way — is that I have been pondering for days on what to share with you in today’s special episode. I had a sort of “writer’s block” while trying to write notes about what to talk about when it comes to writer’s block. LOL!

Writer’s block isn’t quite what you think. It is not a medical condition. It is not a disease. And it is definitely not a virus that takes control of your overall creative process and juices, rendering you useless and feeling stressed. The truth of the matter is … writer’s block doesn’t actually exist. (Shocked, right?!) Well, not really. It is a “condition” (for lack of a better word) that exists entirely in our mind. Basically, a brick wall that we’ve built — which is actually made of air, not bricks. (Ha ha!) And when we are in full belief that this wall is standing tall and up-right (really just a lie we tell ourselves when our creativity is low or on staycation), it becomes real. Like really real! And when we are feeling that mind block, we then become creatively blocked.

So, if you’ve ever felt like your writer’s block wall is slowly creeping up on you, remember to pause and take a deep breath, as this is more than likely what is really going on in that pretty mind of yours …

Fear (oh so many things, too many to even mention today).
Perfectionism (not being good enough).
Lack of structure (not knowing where/how to start).
High standards (basically just fear of failure).
Too Many Hats Syndrome (fear of a lack of time).
Imposter Syndrome (fear of rejection). Or …
Laziness (or is this just fear in procrastination mode?).

Okay, so now that you know this block is a figment of your wildly creative imagination, you’re probably wondering how to get rid of it and keep on your streak. Well, while struggling with my own writer’s block, I came across some really great “getting unstuck” tips n’ tricks to get rid of that cursed writer’s block. So, let’s kill that nightmare of the blinking cursor, together …

TIP #1: STEP AWAY AND GO DO SOMETHING CREATIVE.

The key here is to keep exercising the creative part of your brain and eventually you’ll be able to tap back into the flow of writing.

TIP #2: ELIMINATE ALL DISTRACTIONS.

Yes, all distractions! Turn off your phone and your constantly beeping email. Even unplug yourself from the internet if you must. “Marie Kondo” up your workspace (a cluttered space can put your mind in a state of confusion). And truly carve out some time in your day just for writing. Giving yourself some time and space to be in solitude is important to staying focused. Personally, I try to do this at a minimum twice per week, as kind of a writing staycation.

TIP #3: TRY USING A DIFFERENT WRITING TOOL (OR STYLE).

It may seem silly at first but sometimes it’s the small changes that make all the difference — and make writing interesting again. For instance, I always write at my desktop. I figured I paid huge bucks for it and created myself a nice workspace that I “should” be working in and on that space often as humanly possible.

However, when I ran into a few instances where my desktop had to be rushed to the “computer hospital” — it gave me a whole new love for my other devices. Different device, different environment and feeling like my creative flow is just that … flowing like crazy!

If you don’t have the option of a secondary device, you could always try switching platforms. For example, if you usually write in Microsoft Word, try writing in GoogleDocs, or perhaps directly in your WordPress page post. Or if you like things the way they are as it’s in your comfort zone and you’re not quite ready to step out of it yet, then just try changing up your font style and size.

TIP #4: WRITE FOR YOURSELF FOR A CHANGE.

Quit it with the pre-thought-out post topics. (I’m very bad for this one as I tend to organize my writing thoughts 3-months ahead of time — in case of those extra busy weeks). Sometimes this can suck the joy of writing right out of yah! And because, sometimes you just need to write about, what you want to write about. Even if it doesn’t fit in with your regular style. Just get it off your chest, why don’t yah?!

TIP #5: TAKE A MOMENT TO RE-READ YOUR BEST WORK.

Your talent didn’t go anywhere. It’s still inside you. You just need a little reminder (and perhaps a swift kick in the butt)!

… If you’re anything like me, there’s been a handful of times where you sat down to write your upcoming piece of content, to find yourself just staring blankly at your screen. Your Word doc is empty and you’re scouring your brain for the words you’re looking to spit out onto the page. But your brain is literally a pile of mashed potatoes, and you feel as though you don’t have a creative bone in your body! You’re ready to throw in the towel! Well, as a bit of in-your-face inspiration from someone super amazing and creative once said to me …

Don’t think about the writing process too much. Just do one thing: tell the motherfucking story.

This is something that every writer struggles with from time to time. You could feel this mind block from things such as fear of putting your ideas to paper (virtual paper that is), perfectionism (wanting to get everything just right — perfect in your headfirst), procrastination, or maybe you feel the timing just isn’t right and you need to let your ideas stew.

I guess what I’m getting at here is … it’s not about having said writer’s block BUT how you overcome it …!

Now of course there are endless solutions to overcoming this painful issue of which I like to call the “nightmare of the blinking cursor”. You just need some time to de-funk, regroup, and get back at what you’re good at. Writing.

And to do what we do best … help you “untangle” this horrible virtual nightmare, try some of these things to clear your mind:

Talk a long walk in the sunshine. Or pouring rain. Your call!
Change your environment (maybe take your tablet outside).
Take an adventure break — perhaps to the bookstore.
Read some blog posts, read a book, or listen to some inspiring podcasts.
Use a different writing tool or change the font/colour you usually write in.
Brainstorm your genius ideas in bullet points — on paper helps.
Stop writing for your readers and write something you WANT to write about.
Skip the introduction and write your conclusion first.
- This may help determine the outcome.
Re-read your favourite written piece. Or perhaps even your first piece.
Create an article outline — Or mind map it using single words to help you organize your thoughts.
Stop pre-planning and just go with the flow — write whatever comes to mind.
Create yourself a writing routine to summon your muse.

And most important of all …

Eliminate distractions so that you can quietly think, contemplate, and write.

If all else fails, don’t give up!

Start somewhere. Anywhere. Even a few simple lines, short paragraph or a full on “bucket list” of all your ideas and see where that takes you.

As Margaret Atwood famously says …

If I waited for perfectionism, I would never write a word.

Now, the cold hard truth about writer’s block … Writing is friggin’ hard work.

So, you need to figure out what works for you. Write whatever, whenever and wherever you like. Live on the edge of crazy so you have fun doing it! Stand up to your blinking cursor the way you would to a bully and turn your fear into humility and humility into hard-earned, well-deserved work!

——-

If you’re looking for some help getting started with some daily writing habits, I encourage you to reach out to me so we can chat. I’d be happy to go over some ideas with you that fit into your regular business routine. And it won’t cost you a penny, as we offer FREE no-obligation 30-minute consultations. Which just so happen to include short chit-chats about stuff just like this!

NOT A NERDY TECH GURU BUT WANT TO BE?
OR HAVE A DESIRE TO GET SOME TECH HELP IN YOUR BUSINESS?

Well, then it’s TIME to stop just “surviving” and get untangled!

Begin Untangling with us. We are the digital glue to everything you do!

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Let the digital “untangling” BEGIN … Just pop in your earbuds and hop onto one of your favourite channels by clicking any of the links below!

You can also find The Digital Glue Podcast HERE on our website, or by subscribing to our YouTube Channel.

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Crystal Kordalchuk

Crystal is an artist, a writer, an organizer, a dreamer, a doer, and down-right proud of it NERD!.

Struck with a love for #AllThings creative at a very young age, Crystal dreamed of a life fueled by her passion for creating and bringing the stories and images in her mind into reality.

As she worked toward her dreams, she earned a diploma as a Computer Applications Specialist then another in Graphic Design and from there began to develop her extensive background in multimedia and the arts. She began her worked in the magazine industry as a layout designer and had a succession of design jobs thereafter. It was her role as a graphic/web designer that gave her the first real glimpse of her future. Soon she began a side job as a freelance designer while keeping one foot in the corporate world. A spark was lit! She turned her freelance gig into a full-time business combining design work with her other passion: creating organization from virtual chaos.

Crystal is one of the most organized individuals on the planet. She is by all means a Zen master of her crafts. She excels at helping others become “untangled” and provides her clients with tools to run their businesses smoothly while she takes care of the details behind the scenes. Thus Virtually Untangled was born. A successful business where her work as a top notch creative in graphic and web — with a twist of virtual assistant — married into one amazing place where clients can come with their virtual messes and become magically untangled. Crystal can always make sense of even the most unorganized chaos and offers a virtual detox of order and peace, so her clients can get busy doing the work that they love the most.

The Blinking Cursor Nightmare

NOT A NERDY TECH GURU BUT WANT TO BE? OR HAVE A DESIRE TO GET SOME TECH HELP IN YOUR BUSINESS?

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Crystal Kordalchuk

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NOT A NERDY TECH GURU BUT WANT TO BE?
OR HAVE A DESIRE TO GET SOME TECH HELP IN YOUR BUSINESS?