Do you ever have times when you just can't quite figure out what to say? OK, I'm having severe writer's block. So, in a misguided attempt to get over my own terrible writer's block, I think that I'll give advice (it's not working for me, but maybe it will help one of you) on how to conquer writer's block. I'm not creating any of this, don't blame me if it doesn't work. I'm stealing all of these marvelous tips from other writers. (add manical laughter) So, if for some reason you find these suggestions noxious, blame them! (Oh, I guess techincally you *could* blame me for promoting them, and if blaming me gets me some mail, fine, blame me, but don't just feel aggravated at me for that.)

The Amateur Poetry Journal gives the good advice to write daily. From other sources, I've been told that you can then look back on your journal for inspiration on things to write. Not a bad idea, however, most of us get writer's block and still don't have a journal! Alas! What next?

Other suggestions for dealing with writer's block are listening to music and talking to other writers. (Though I do question how useful the last one is...)

One of my favorite suggestions from a well known poet (I'm sorry, I forgot her name!) was to keep quotes in a journal and to, when you have writer's block, turn to the journal, find a favorite quote, and try to write a poem on it. This one I've found very useful because, even if you don't have a quote journal, you can still find a quote page on the Internet or a quote book, and use this method.

Other useful advice involves reading poetry (always useful) as well as reading books in general. I've found this technique particularly useful. And, if things go really badly, at least you've finally read that luscious poem that you've been meaning to read...

Perhaps my favorite thing to do, though, is to just write, and revise whatever comes out. If it's bad, oh well...at least it's there.

~Julia

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