One good way to shed writer's block is to start with a plan. That will give you something to write about, and it's the lack of an "about" that typically causes the block. There simply is no reward in just sitting there, waiting for words to come fluttering through the window like leaves in the wind. They will, though, come fluttering, if you first begin filling in some rough details on what we call "PAM"-Purpose, Audience, Message. For now, let's call this the process.
Understanding The Process
What would you identify as your purpose? If for example, you're writing an assigned essay, do the guidelines say expository or perhaps narrative or maybe even persuasive? In this, lies your first clue. If it's expository, for example, you know you have to describe something, be descriptive and explain something in detail, or show how something works. That's your purpose. For example, look at this example: "A bicycle is a simple vehicle for getting around the neighborhood." Okay, your purpose is to describe why a bicycle is a good thing for getting around (faster than walking, cooling breeze in your face, basket or saddlebags for stuff, etc.). But maybe your purpose is something different like a narrative. If it's a narrative, you know you can take it easy a bit, and tell your reader a story, maybe about a trip you took to the mall or the library.
Or on the other hand if the guideline says "persuasive," you know what you have to do here then too. This can be a little tricky, because your job here is to persuade your reader or to change their mind or cause them to agree with you about something. You can assume from the start that your reader does not agree with you, and you must now write to influence or persuade them. If you know what your persuasion will be, write it down as your purpose, for example, "My purpose is to persuade my reader that the school cafeteria food should include brownies and Big Macs."
Then, you must consider your reader. As a student, your reader will most likely be your teacher, so you have a head start here. You know or have a good idea of what your teacher wants and doesn't want, so think about your reader and make a few notes, such as, "I don't know what this teacher is expecting but I do know she probably doesn't like brownies." You've written your purpose, and you've made some notes on your reader, or your audience. You may not be structuring perfectly complete sentences, but you're putting down words and impressions, and that works fine.
Keep Plugging Away...From Effort Comes Results
Next, you should be able to create the last of the big three, your message. Call it a thesis if you want; it's your bottom line in a sentence or two. If you want to see brownies and Big Macs on the menu, your message could be, "The school cafeteria should start adding brownies and Big Macs." That looks a lot like a thesis sentence, doesn't it? Again, don't worry about writing complete sentences. Just start scribbling words.
Now you've got some rough ideas, some words, partial sentences, phrases, etc., about your purpose, audience, and message, you can start creating an introductory paragraph, or the concluding summary paragraph, or anything in between. You never have to absolutely start with the beginning. Start writing where your thoughts and ideas take you-and don't worry about writing finished sentences at this point. Just try to write something and let the words and thoughts flow; don't stop to edit as you create because you can always come back later and edit.
Finally, it feels like words are starting to flow as you create sentences. At any point if you get stuck, just go back over the process (What's your purpose, your audience? And what's your message, or thesis?). Scribble some more ideas. Turn thoughts into partial or complete sentences, whatever you feel comfortable doing. Before long, you will be doing something you wanted to do in the beginning...you'll be writing, and beaten that thing we call a writers block? Don't worry if your writing assignment or need is not an essay. PAM works for all kinds of writing.
About the Author:
Want to find out why good writing pays off? Then visit Lee's Blog where he offers advice on writing for middle students.
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