Tips for Tired Writers

Are you starting to flag a little? Has the inspiration that drove you to your word processor begun to wane? Do you feel as if you're going round and round in circles with a piece?

You know it needs something to make it work, but you're not sure what. You've been working for ages on it, but now you just feel stuck. Perhaps you've got to a scene that is vital for your novel, but you don't feel ready to write it.

Here are ten tips for tired writers:

1) Take a break, a physical break. Get up and go out for a walk round the block. Linger in the garden, watch a passing bird.

2) Get some exercise to bring back that feel-good factor. Jump on the rebounder for ten minutes. Put on a fast tune and dance to it. Do bicep curls with a tin of beans.

3) If you're stuck with a particular scene, skip it and write a section that you feel more comfortable with. You can come back to it later when you're ready to tackle it.

4) Spend half an hour doing free writing. Write about anything that comes to mind, without censoring yourself. Open a dictionary and pick a word with a pin and write about that.

5) Write something totally different from what you normally write. For example, if poetry is your thing, write an article. If you only ever write short stories, write a haiku instead.

6) Read out loud the last two pages that you've written. Hearing your own words and feeling the rhythm of your writing, you're bound to think of some changes you want to make. By the time you've done them, you'll be raring to go again.

7) Use a different writing method. If you always write longhand, try writing directly onto the computer. If you always word process your work, speak into a voice recorder.

8) Go and write in a different location. Sit in a cafe with a notebook. Write a short story on a train. The change of scenery will make you and your writing fresher.

9) Have a soak in the bath. Enjoy soft music, candles, aromatherapy oils, the works. Keep a notebook and paper handy to jot down the ideas you have while you are relaxed.

10) Be kind to yourself. Beating yourself up is not the answer. The world needs writers who are human beings, not machines.

E-mail me on gale.barker@tesco.net with your favourite writing tips or queries about writing.