What do you do when the page is blank?

As I look outside my window and see the mountains of surrounding, deep, clean, crisp, clear white snow banks — I think about how many things I love that are white. New clean white sheets on a freshly made bed, fluffy white mashed potatoes, white jeans, a white wedding dress… All of these wonderfully white things indicate a new beginning (well, maybe not the mashed potatoes, that just symbolizes my love of carbs…). However, a blank piece of copy paper — a white computer screen — these things glare at me and indicate a new start which I find most difficult to initiate. I am talking about beginning a new writing project. Why is it so hard?

Office shot

I suspect my difficulty in starting any task that includes writing is shared by many. I don’t think it’s so much the infamous “writer’s block” — I would hardly put myself in a category of professional authors who suffer from this affliction. I think of “writer’s block” as being a struggle to find what to write about, versus my personal difficulty with starting to write.

So I have developed a few tricks to help grease the white paper skids that I thought I’d share, in hopes of others will add and make suggestions to this list. As so much of my livelihood depends on writing, I welcome all tips.

1.) First, procrastinate. Oh, by the way — this never works. Despite the fact that this strategy always fails, I find it a necessary, unavoidable first step. As I travel along my “starter’s block” journey, this first activity has become shorter in duration — a sure sign I will be cured. Someday. Soon.

2.) Online research. This task is so easy — and almost feels like procrastination — but alleviates my guilt that the page is still empty. After all, I am investigating facts and finding inspiration. Only an irresponsible professional would begin a new project without all the facts, right?

3.) Take Notes. This step allows me to scribble random thoughts to myself on other pieces of paper — making those pages no longer blank. I don’t worry about grammar or spelling during this stage of the process — never underestimate the power of the random phrase scribbled on a sticky note. And you can slap the sticky note on the side of your computer screen for continued inspiration!

4.) Chocolate. Milk chocolate, please. I like to nibble nervously as I tenuously begin pecking at the keyboard. Like Step 1, not especially effective but absolutely necessary.

5.) Start with Anything — Even if You Think It’s Lousy. That’s right — at the critical stage of putting words on the whiteness, I figure — who cares — just say something. I can change it before anyone else reads it. Personally, this is the most effective aspect of my starter’s block process.

6.) iPod. I almost forgot, and I may differ from some, but having just a few really great tunes course through my earphones and into my brain gets me rolling, lifts my mood, gives me courage to carry on and write some more.

7.) Caffeine. Again, this is a personal preference, may not be essential for others. (Should I consider a career in food writing?)

8.) Keep Going — to Midway Point. Once I put enough words on the page/screen I can fly through to the halfway point. I am no longer at the beginning. I refer back to my notes and research. I can even walk away, say — for lunch — but I am no longer at the beginning!

9.) Focus and Finish. This is not the hardest part. I don’t mind editing, proofreading, re-arranging, adding new discussions. Even accepting feedback is easier than getting started, in my opinion.

True confession time: before I started this particular piece — I cleared the driveway of snow and walked the dog (Step 1); Googled the phrase “getting started writing” (Step 2); scratched out potential titles on the back of a lottery ticket (3); put hot cocoa in a big cup of coffee and re-heated the cup (Steps 4 and 7); pecked out and even tweaked the title of this post (5); updated iTunes on my computer (support of Step 6); and honestly completed this writing activity.

For those interested in additional, traditional ways of getting started, here are some suggested links I found helpful:

  • Writing-world.com: This site has all kinds of topics about writing, but this particular post offered a sound, academic approach: http://writing-world.com/basics/draft.shtml
  • Monique Polak: An author of young adult fictional books, Monique has a short and concise portion of her website dedicated to writing tips: http://moniquepolak.com

I would love to hear from others on the trials and tribulations of getting started — and any and all ideas for ways of overcoming “starter’s block.”