Overcoming writers block

This is my list of tips to help people overcome writers block.

In this column I would like to address how to overcome writer's block.
This article is going to be in the normal list format that I like to write my
columns in. Im not really taking this from any specific source, it's just
my thoughts ,and maybe a few bits and pieces I've read from different
people that have all had the same idea. I figure if they all think it's a good
idea then it is probably worth passing on. Ideally the best way to deal
with writer block is to avoid it, but that is not always possible. That
is where these tips come in, so if your poetic pipes are blocked up
and the ink isn't flowing ,give these a try . The worse case scenario is that
they won't work and you will be no more clogged up then you are now.

1. Use Free writing---The idea behind free writing is not to write a master piece.
The idea is to write for a set period of time and use that piece of writing to
get ideas for a real piece of writing. Free writing is just about getting ideas.
This is how you do it.
1.1.Get a piece of paper, set a timer for about 10 minutes

1.2.Write anything that comes to you during this 10 minutes

1.2.1. Do not censor what comes out of your heart during this time,
just write what it tells you to write.

1.3 Do not stop writing during this exercise. This important, DO NOT
STOP . This is crucial. If you don't know what to write just
write absolutely anything ,even if it's "can't write" a million different
times

1.4 Once the timer goes off put your writing implement down and
don't write ,anything else. It's like those timed tests that were
given to us in school. Once the timer rings everything stops.

1.5 After the ringer goes off, look over the words on the page for
a possible idea for your next piece. If you don't find one do the
exercise again.

2. Build a word bank---Building a word bank is easy. You simply set up a file on your computer or use a notebook and enter words in it that you frequently use or that you think will inspire you to write good poems. When you run out of ideas for what to write you refer back to your word bank and either write a poem that contains a list of words that you pick at random, or use your word bank to play free association by writing about the ideas that are associated with certain words

3. Keep an idea notebook ---I do this one, and it works. When I get an idea for a poem I write it in a notebook and then if I run out of ideas for poems, I simply refer back to the notebook and write a poem based on one of an idea in the notebooks. It might be similar to an idea I've already explored but that's not wrong. Even the writing's of the great poets like Shakespeare and Emily Dickinson can be classified into different themes. They wrote poems on the same topic more then once, so it's ok for you to do the same, because no two poems are ever the same.

4. Read other people's writing--- By reading the poems of other people you can get an idea of what topic you might like to write about. Read poets that tend to write about topics that interest you. Don't just read poetry though, some really cool ideas could be found by reading works of fiction as well. You can even find inspiration in works about the discoveries of science and nonfiction too. Poetry can be about anything, write about what you love and what interests you. Read about what you love and find interesting too and you will continue to get inspiration.

5. Make up a question ,or a sentence-- Base your poem on your sentence or question.
This is similar to writing from a verbal prompt but you don't require someone else to come up with your prompt, and prompts may not be full sentences. Even if your creative bucket is drained all the way dry, you can always think of some kind of sentence, and write a poem about your reaction to it. The good thing with this way of doing a prompt, is that you have not relied on another person's thinking to get your juices flowing and, you can say it was your idea.

6. Use an object as a prompt-- You can use an average ordinary household object as a prompt. The good thing about this is that we have them all around us ,so they are easy to come by. Just write about your reaction to that object and how it makes you feel ,and what you think of when you see it.

7. Write about the past--- Write about something that happened in your past.
We all have a past, so we should make it work for us to help us write.
By writing about your past you automatically carry a piece of yourself into your
poem and the emotion that runs with it. This helps you poems feel more moving.

8. Pray for an idea--- If you believe in God you can always pray for an idea. The worse thing that could happen is that you won't get one. Even if you don't believe in God, it couldn't hurt anything. God just might believe in you, and decide to give you an one.
Don't feel embarrassed to do this ,many famous writers have believed in God ,and it is only logical that at some time they prayed about their writing. Some famous writers that believed in God were, Ralph Waldo Emerson, William Shakespeare, Emily Dickinson and St. Teresa of Avila. This list doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of naming poets to believe in God.

Well I hope this list helps anyone that reads it to overcome writers block when they get it. It's not a question of if you'll get it. It's just a question of when you'll get this dreaded disease that preys on your creativity. Try some of these tips out and see if they help. I don't claim to be an expert on the subject, but I simply wish to pass on to you what I know.