So, you're sitting at your computer with your hands positioned on the keys anxiously awaiting the arrival of an idea or a profound thought. You've been that way for weeks... your family is starting to wonder if you might be stuck in that position. Nothing is happening and time is ticking. What can you do?

Trying to write an article or a paper can degenerate into a vicious cycle of frustration. For some people, ideas come easily. But for others, getting started is a chore. Because they aren't good at getting started, they put it off and find themselves up against a deadline hoping for some revelation while watching the clock. Stress often decreases one's creativity, so at the very point at which they need to be creative, they can't come up with a coherent thought.

I know this is true because I've been there and now, as a college professor, I get to read the papers of students who are there. I can't be too harsh on them because I know what it's like to struggle with writing. Yet in today's world, writing is a necessity.

So, what can you do to get through the mental roadblock? Here are a few things I think will help.

1. Redesign the process. At some point in the past we've all been taught to write a thesis statement, write the body of the paper, write the conclusion, and edit. That's a nice orderly progression--but it doesn't work! I teach my students to create the body of the paper, then write the thesis and conclusion. Too many poorly conceived thesis statements lead to writer's block. Don't get hung up in the thesis statement! Most teachers who utilize the old, inefficient process can't even explain why it's a good process!

2. Use creative thinking. In less than 10 minutes you can come up with a skeleton outline for anything you want to write. It's not that hard, it just requires some creativity. Techniques such as clustering, brainstorming, free writing, and voice recording are effective in helping you generate ideas you want to include and eliminate ideas about which you don't want to write!

3. Don't procrastinate! Time is your most valuable asset when it comes to

writing. The longer you wait to get started, the more stress you will experience when you write. Even if you have to come back to your writing off and on over time, you will have a better end product if you begin as soon as you get the assignment.

4. Borrow some eyes. Being totally immersed in something affects your ability to be objective about the work. Get someone to read over your work-- especially if you have completed the work in bits and pieces. Because it's your work, you might not see the poor flow or recognize thoughts that have been inadvertently repeated. An extra set of eyes always pays off!

5. Give it a rest. Before turning in anything, give yourself a 24-hour break from it. Then, carefully review it making sure that your thesis statement provides the roadmap, your main points are consistent with the thesis statement, and your conclusion encapsulates a retrospective overview of your work. Of course, always check your spelling and grammar--great ideas stated poorly are poor ideas!

Writing, especially for adult students, can be a challenge. But with these techniques in place, you can dramatically improve the speed and quality of your writing so that you can do the other things you have to do. After all, time is a terrible thing to waste! Think about it!

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