It happens to all of us. You stare at your keyboard and read the same sentence ten times, trying to fine tune so it strings together fluidly and matches the elaborate scene in your head. In the end, you have tortured the English language, and end up with a blank screen. Here are a few suggestions to get your neurons firing again:
1. Step away from the computer and go get something to eat. You would be surprised at how poorly your brain functions without the right nutrients. It's a nice distraction that you can turn into a character development exercise by imagining what some of your characters might choose to eat.
2. Do some housework. Mindless tasks are extremely therapeutic. Shuffle some laundry around and pick up items that are out of place. Sometimes a disheveled environment sneaks its way into your mind and tangles your thoughts. If your house is clean, then choose a closet to unclutter. Organizational tasks become very subliminal for me, and it's worth a shot. You could also go outside. It might sound insane, but my favorite appliance is a leaf blower. I rather enjoy the immediate satisfaction of blowing away the debris making a mess on my front or back porch. You could parallel it to your cluttered mind... it really works for me and I have calloused both hands from using it so much.
3. Play some music. Music can put you in any number of moods, so choose accordingly. You might consider opting for classical, my preference is piano. The pure sound of the keys have a profound effect on my thought process and I don't get caught up in the lyrics, which can sometimes be distracting.
4. Do some writing exercises. Write in different narrative modes and from different character points of view. If you can't articulate the voice of your novel and its concept, then you'll have difficulty hooking an agent that will ultimately believe in your manuscript the same way that you do (assuming publication is the goal). It's not enough to have a good story.
5. Start over from the beginning, and edit. (assuming you are in the thick of it) Editing is probably the easiest thing you can do to find a way back into your story. The more you read what you've written, the easier it is to find the voice of your story and see what is working, and what isn't. If this doesn't work, then you need to shut down your computer and step away from your manuscript for a few days. Sometimes you get so close to your characters that you can no longer tell your story.
6. Just write. Anything. It certainly needn't be on topic either. The first sentence is usually the hardest, and once you are passed this pivotal milestone, 'it' usually flows out of you (good, bad and ugly). Going back to edit your first draft will no doubt have at least one component that you are able to expound upon. In the end, no writing is wasted writing.
7. Fix something. If you live in a house as old as mine, then there is always something to either renovate or repair. So do it. Taking your mind through a practical troubleshooting exercise can expand into your subconscious mind and allow you to connect dots that you previously could not.
8. Crack open a classic. All writers have been influenced by someone, or some piece of literature. It moved you for a reason, so open that book and remember why.
9. Take your show on the road. With the advent of netbooks and iPads, what's stopping you from a likely needed change of scenery? Inspiration is usually found in the most unsuspecting places, be it a stranger on a subway, or a waitress in a diner. There is a story to be told everywhere you look, finding that story is part of honing your craft. Most of us write, because we have to... we simply don't function otherwise.
10. Engage your peers. Social networking has certainly captivated the 21st century, and for writers, this is absolutely a good thing. There are networks dedicated to uniting kindred souls, and let's face it... this is a lonely profession. Reaching out to others not only gets you writing (who cares if all you are writing about is complaining about having writer's block... you're writing aren't you?) but you may also land a few friendships along the way.
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