Hope’s Hacks

(some ways to break up that writer’s block)

*About the column: Hope Bolinger provides biweekly tips to help you through that writer’s block slump. As a person who has suffered from severe depression and anxiety for eight years, she knows first-hand what it’s like to not want to roll out of bed and face a blank screen and blinking cursor. Here are some ways she’s learned to beat that writer’s block.* 

This month’s cure: A-Muse-ing

What the cure is: Channeling the other eight muses to reach the elusive one.

Why the cure will help: Trouble with writing? Well, you still have eight out of nine of the muses to reach out to (metaphorically, of course). Participating in other art forms can help inspire works of writing. Consider the following eight, non-writing creative activities.

1. Coloring—Although the adult coloring book trend “ended” roughly around 2017, that doesn’t have to stop you from pulling out a box of 64 crayons and going to town on your child’s Disney princess coloring book.
2. Participating in a play—Whether you help paint sets or star as the leading role at your community theatre, you can receive an excellent exploration of dialogue, characterization, and plenty of drama.
3. Playing an instrument—Yes, your voice can count. Belt out that Mandisa tune from the radio. Strum on your out-of-tune guitar strings. Even test out your composing skills on the free computer program Musescore.
4. Painting—Along the same note as coloring, buy a cheap blank canvas from your nearest craft store and ooze an abstract sunset or detailed painting of one of your characters.
5. Dancing—No, you’re never too old to test your tap-dancing skills. My eighty-year-old grandmother participates in a dancing troupe for those ages 50+. Even if you watch a Zumba class on YouTube, this can help exercise your body and mind.
6. Creating add-ons for your book—This can include drawing a map of your world, making mock covers on Canva, or designing t-shirts that suit the mood of your book on sites such as CustomInk.
7. Sewing—Or knitting, or crocheting . . . anything from crafting pot holders to kilts, this can relax your mind as you work with your fingers to create a tangible work of art.
8. Playing with dough—Clay and even Play-Doh can give your hands a chance to stop cramping from misuse and to create objects such as bowls and mini-statues of your child’s favorite cartoon character (or yours).

Hope has more tips and tricks for beating her writer’s block here.