When Faced with Writer’s Block, Go Meet a Neighbor

Ah, the dreaded writer's block - the arch-nemesis of every aspiring wordsmith. When creativity decides to take a vacation and leaves you high and dry, it can feel like trying to squeeze blood from a stone. 

But fear not, I am here to offer some tongue-in-cheek advice on what to write about when your creative well runs dry. After all, I’ve been doing this for a while. The first column I wrote for a weekly newspaper covering western Greene County was in 1989, and I have been writing steadily since then.

First, let's address the elephant in the room -- the blank computer screen staring back at me like my dog Otis when I forget to give him his evening Milkbone. Why not start by writing about the absurdity of writer's block itself? You could pen a satirical piece about the trials and tribulations of trying to summon the muse when she's off sipping Dr. Pepper on a tropical island. Trust me, she's not thinking about you.

If self-deprecation is more your style, consider writing a humorous rant about all the ridiculous excuses you come up with to avoid writing. From suddenly developing an urgent need to alphabetize your spice rack to embarking on a deep dive into the fascinating world of dog trick videos, there's no shortage of distractions to blame for your lack of productivity. Right now, playing Royal Match on my smartphone is my biggest avoidance method.

Alternatively, you could take a meta-approach and write a mockumentary-style piece about a struggling writer desperately trying to come up with something to write about. Cue the dramatic music, the exaggerated sighs, and the comically oversized cup of coffee as our protagonist battles the forces of procrastination and self-doubt.

Let's remember the classic fallback option for any writer needing inspiration - the good old-fashioned listicle. Why not compile a humorous list of the most bizarre writing prompts you can think of? From "Write a love letter to your favorite snack food" to "Describe your morning routine from the perspective of your pet goldfish," the possibilities are endless (and ridiculous).

When the creative juices refuse to flow, and you stare blankly at the blinking cursor on your screen, remember that humor can be a powerful ally in the battle against writer's block. Embrace the absurdity, laugh in the face of adversity, and who knows - you might stumble upon a stroke of genius in the midst of all the chaos. 

In this particular case, I called a neighbor to go have lunch. I got out of the house. I talked with another human. We visited about our neighborhood.

So next week, I’ll be back with more commentary on neighbors, neighborhoods, and improving our communities, one relationship at a time.

MORE INFORMATION

Does this article make you interested in taking the Engaged Neighbor pledge? Five categories and 20 principles to guide you toward becoming an engaged neighbor. Sign the pledge online at http://engagedneighbor.com.

Contact the blog author, David L. Burton at dburton541@yahoo.com.