Breaking the Word Dam for Freelance Writing

The words should be pouring out through the keyboard. Quiet fills the space and the kids will be occupied for the next hour. Yet the words seem caught up in my mind. They are locked away by the muse and seemed determine to stay hidden in that dark corner.

Writing for a living means that I gave up the privilege of just writing when the words are flowing. There are days when I struggle to get a cohesive sentence on paper – forget the idea that I will be able to create an entire article (that actually flows). The more I try the harder the words dig in and fight to stay hidden away.

Two paragraphs into my writing and the ideas are starting to show up. I am learning that when the words are hiding all I need to do is put some on the paper. A few words down and the rest seem compelled to come out and play.

I have discovered that when the words are hiding all I need to do is put some on the paper. A few words down and the rest seem compelled to come out and play.

More Tricks for Breaking the Word Dam

• Write a letter to a friend – this goes back to the idea that once the words start moving there will be few restrictions. Besides, telling a story to a friend often leads to more stories that need to be told.

• Write something completely outrageous – this can be a good place for a haiku or a limerick or maybe a short, short, short story. Think up the craziest thing you can put on paper and then watch how it launches words that are more focused.

• Write out a list of what you need to write – this can be the way to kick the muse into gear. Seeing the projects laid out in that manner, and putting a level of importance on the different projects, will often drive the muse to do SOMETHING (which is always better than staying holed up in the recesses of the mind).

• Write a short something in your comfort zone – a quick devotional, rant or other short piece may serve to inspire more words to follow and may even be the beginning of something more substantial once the dam breaks.

The words may not always want to flow, but a freelance writer has to write. Tricking the words into flowing sometimes just means putting some words on the paper and waiting for the rest to come out to play.