Writer’s Block Is All in Your Head
September 27th, 2011 | 
Author: Hi everyone! Working on PLR and the Branding Challenge but I saw this today on my good friend Lewis Smile’s FB and wanted to share it with you because it’s SO true.
I hear a lot of you worrying about what to write, how well you write, and not knowing what all should go into your content. It’s a form of writer’s block – and it’s all in your head.
Seth Godin talks about Talker’s Block. Click the link and it will open in a new window, but here are a couple of things I loved from it:
The reason we don’t get talker’s block is that we’re in the habit of talking without a lot of concern for whether or not our inane blather will come back to haunt us.
You talk every day without worrying about it. You guys have emailed me lengthy emails discussing your niche and at the end will say, “So what do I write about it?” LOL! Well, just what you wrote to me for starters!
The great thing about text online is we can tweak, delete, republish, update, etc. It’s never set in stone.
Seth urges:
Just write poorly. Continue to write poorly, in public, until you can write better.
Amen, Seth! Quit being scared of your writing. I don’t care how bad it is, we have GOT to be done with being critical of ourselves and worrying about every move we make. And he has a solution for you who panic about mean comments you may get on your blog – turn them off!
Now if you’re wanting to relationship build, leave them on. But turn them off if you don’t want to hear someone’s criticism of you. I know Perez Hilton does this on his blog. Whenever he has a really controversial post, he turns off comments for that one blog post.
His blog. His rules.
And Seth is so down to earth about quality and quantity. He says bad is better than zero. And better than bad is better than bad. You might start out at bad, but it’s better than zero. And you’ll improve. You just need to be in the habit of writing – just like you’re in the habit of talking.
Seth’s a wonderful teacher – I’ve read several of his books like The Dip. Always enjoy all of them!
And of course, he’s the creator of Squidoo so the man knows a thing or two about marketing.
Tiff 
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Posted in Career
Thanks Tiff! We all need to be reminded that Anything is better than nothing! Got it…(hope I can hang on to it a little longer this time!) LOL
lol and that’s key
Tiff,
Very timely post based on my recent email to you! Being a techie at heart, this is similar advice I’ve shared on my blog for those wanting to start a blog–just do it, and then refine as you go along.
It is far too common, guilty as charged, to try and make it perfect right from the start.
Thanks for the reminder!
you’re not alone!
I needed this – I appreciate you covering EVERY aspect of this biz – our mindset too!
Thanks for what you continually do to help us move forward, Tiffany – you’re a blessing!
Mindset is the foundation Carol I truly believe.
Thanks for this post Tiff.
This is the very reason why I didn’t sign up for your branding challenge.
I’ve always been super critical of myself and how I write.
This article and Seth’s words literally just freed a huge burden I’ve placed on myself for years. I should be so much further along in my internet career due to this limitation.
Again thank you so much for this post.
Sunshine as a self employed person you have to be your top cheerleader.
Hi Tiffany,
Here is a little exercise I use when I am suffering a brain fart. I go over to ezine articles and grab three articles that look interesting in the niche I am working on.
I then get out a pencil and paper. Not notepad , no computer, real No. 2 pencil and real dead tree paper. I then go through each article writing out each one. The actual act of writing out each article puts that niche in my head.
I guess for lack of a better description, I am rebooting my hard drive between my ears. And believe me it can be hard at times.
Now with that information freshly installed I can Write a article in about 10 minutes. And with each article adding to the knowledge base in my hard drive more articles come quicker and faster.
That’s a cool exercise Stan!
Awesome tip Stan! I’m going to add that to my arsenal. Thanks.
I can see why people may get a little stuck when it comes to writing things down. It’s often easier to say something easily but when you come to write things down and you know that people are going to read it, it can be easily to worry about it too much.
With blogs it doesn’t matter so much because they can be quite conversational. No one’s asking you to write a formal article. Often the best blogs are the least formal ones because you get to see more of the person shine through.
When it comes to anything that you’re working with, whether it’s writing or another project, most of the best people didn’t try to learn everything and then start – they learned as they went along and learned it more organically.
Also, I followed your lead and signed up for G+! Now I just need to find out where everyone is hiding while trying to learn how to use it!
Dragon Naturally Speaking is good for this too.
I actually have the opposite problem, but it IS still a form or writer’s block. I have so many topics I want to cover that it’s hard to pick and focus on just one sometimes. Plus, there’s all the sub-topics that can be covered too.
There’s at least (at the very least) 50 articles that I want to write RIGHT NOW. I will have to start taking one at a time and focus on the ONE until it’s done and then pick another.
Where’s that tunnel vision when you need it? LOL
True Patti! LOL!
Timely as always Tiff. Thank you
you’re welcome Phillipa!
Am I the only guy in the country with Talkers Block (TB). My wife comes home and has to tell me the details about stuff I don’t care about. After 30+ years I’ve developed TB. It can also stand for tired butt. Today on FB (facebook) which I rarely go on I happened to find posts I had put on. For whatever reason I tried some links I had put there and FB had flagged them a Safety Alert Links May be unsafe. The links were inside a free download PDF ebook for Halloween and were affilate clickbank links. No wonder I wasn’t getting any responses or downloads on stuff I’d posted of PLR stuff. As you can see by some of my responses here I get windy writing but I do have Talkers Block.
Is there a way around FB flagging stuff like that?
no clue about fb safety stuff.
I couldn’t figure it out. Irritating for sure and no wonder people weren’t responding to my posts. Thank you for your writings. I’m trying to work it.
Well that pretty much sums it up for me. Even though I have purchased PLR articles for a blog. I keep stoping to think about the PLR ATM course I purchased and how much better if I write articles and start a PLR store, even if one pack is all I have up.
Then I sit at the computer, stare at the screen, and my brain goes blank. I get like paralyzed or something. And I read about that talkers’ block too somewhere but still haven’t made that move to prepare any articles. So I keep buying PLR for the blog instead.
Yesterday, I was thinking about having a personal website to start by providing writing services, and since it’s best I guess to have writing samples, again I get stuck.
I know that if someone asks me to write about something, then It’s easier for me. So I also joined fiverr in hopes of doing some articles and if all goes well attaining positive feedback so I can have something to show for. I still have not had anyone request the gig.
Sometimes I feel like I just came across a road and I stop because the next turn I make has a sign that says, “this way to your writing success”, except when I look again there’s like ten roads with the same signs but the twist is that each sign ads the words, “no, it’s this way”.
Nuts I tell you. I thought this fiverr thing was going to be easy. Maybe I should offer to write some free articles and start there. What do you think Tiff? I’m nuts.
Forget fiverr. Go to warrior forum where marketers hang out
Being a perfectionist, I have such a hard time with this. It’s why I have probably 20 unfinished novels and novellas on my hard drive. Ugh.
Oddly it sometimes helps me if I write with music for the initial draft. Usually I’ll load up Pandora and then just sit butt in chair until it’s done. The music seems to help keep that extra “editor voice” drowned out.
Of course it does make for some interesting typos I catch when proofing…
I can’t write while listening to music but I can while watching tv lol
Hi Tiffany:
Another great post as usual. Your right, a person just has to stop talking about it and make their mind up and sit down and start writing. It doesn’t have to be top notch, just get started. Things will get easier from there.
exactly!
Thanks Tiff for the reminder! It’s funny how many ways our brains can trick us and how we let them stop us from doing what we know how to! I find that I have the most trouble when I’m writing something I think is related to making money, (like reviews or things for sale) but if I’m giving it away, I have no problem! Crazy!
True Stefani! Carrie Wilkerson (barefoot executive) has a great post on the power hour today too.
I didn’t know about Seth Godin being the creator of Squidoo – I always learn something in every one of your posts, Tiff
This is something I suffer from as well. The thing is, with writing, it has to have a form of structure in order for you to effectively convey your message to your readers. With talking, you can get real time feedback so you’ll know if you’re understood or if there’s something that needs clarification. With writing, you’re limited. I tend to get stuck thinking how to structure my sentences and paragraphs so there’s logical flow in what I write. I am a perfectionist, I must admit.
Similar to other comments, I have put my PLR store in the backburner (no new articles for 2 months now) – I have one 5-pack, a WSO (four 10-pack) and a couple more packs which I started writing – but then writer’s block and procrastination took hold and I was also sidetracked (I built a couple of niche websites following a course). But I definitely wont abandon my PLR store, I just have to get the momentum going, even if it means starting again writing one
pack per month and gradually building up from there.
Cheers,
Gie ^^,
Yep he’s a sweetheart – he called me one time to talk about how we could all teach marketers to use squidoo without the spam effect. He was an honor to chat with! But read his post – he says write, don’ edit etc. I just told Stefani Carrie Wilkerson has a neat post on the Power Hour on her blog today.
I never have trouble writing until I start trying to write for money. Then the internal editor peeks over my shoulder and keeps telling me it’s not good enough. Sometimes listening to music while I write works for me, too, but not TV. If something exciting happens on the screen, I forget the writing. Music I can ignore. A good plot pulls me in. LOL!
Knock that little editor off your shoulder! LOL
This is a very timely post, Tiff! I created a challenge for myself to write no less than 2,500 per day for the next 30 days. That’s a small 5 article pack a day. Yesterday I wrote 2932 words! I will go back today and edit the articles to make sure they are stellar. Maybe editing is something I should outsource so it never enters my mind. What do you think about that idea?
Sounds good to me but make sure they know what level of editing you want – minor typos or full on editing of style – some go overboard!
Hi Tiffany,
Thanks for sharing. I agree it is better to write something than nothing and you can always go back and edit it or add more to it later.
Sometimes when write I may feel like my all isn’t going into what I’m writing because i’m distracted for some reason or another. What I do is write anyway and then when I go back on another day. The ideas just flow because I’m not distracted and I build on what I have already wrote and it turns out great.
Agree Alice!
Awesome post and subject matter Tiff! I’m trying to get into a habit of writing 2,000 words per day no matter what. I don’t care if it’s good or not. Just get into that habit of writing every day.
In my case, I’ve been not writing and I blame it on writers block but it’s not really that. It’s excuses for the real reasons (lazy, fear, etc.).
Alan
At least you recognize it now Alan!
You said once before that you get a lot of ideas from Women’s Day, and it did get my brain cells moving again. Gave me 2 ideas for PLR packs.
Women’s World but that one’s good too!
Hi Tiffany, reading Stan’s comment made me realise just how much we as writers rely on the microchip, when a pencil and paper is just as good – if not better.
Although my writing has never been a thing of beauty (and has got worse since I seem to type everything!) it is good enough to get ideas down on paper.
So from today, I shall be writing ALL of my ideas, first drafts etc, on paper (double spaced to allow for editing) so that by the time I fire up the PC, I should be a mile away from any writer’s block.
I know this isn’t particularly Eco-friendly, but you and I both know that the ‘paperless office’ is just a myth anyway!
Keep on keeping on
George. xxx
I love my legal pad and pens George!
Tiffany,
This post could not have come at a better time (IMHO). Just this weekend, I was checking my backup hard drive for writing inspiration. Lo and behold, I found some articles, which I wrote back in 2002.
Sitting here, sipping my coffee, browsing through the articles, I practically choked as I swallowed. I could not believe the horrible writing I did back then – even shared, across the Internet through either article directories or third party newsletters.
Ironically, it did not matter. People published them. Other websites still carry them to this day. They are still educating and informing the readers who stop to learn from them. They are content!
It does not matter if I think they are raunchy. How can I knock the fact that they were effective in building my lists, helping me build a following, or made me money?
I can’t… they worked, period!
For the rest of you, who cringe at the idea of writing because you feel you write poorly… might I, suggest you find a different way to write.
One person mentioned he/she didn’t have a problem talking and saying what they mean, but when it comes to writing it, it doesn’t come out the same way. The structure gets lost.
My question to this person is, why change it? Speak into a recorder, just as you would say it to Tiffany. Then, write it exactly the same way on paper.
Don’t change a thing! This will make your writing much more enjoyable as your personality (and quirks) will shine through and you’ll feel more comfortable writing when it mimics your speak.
As for Linda, I’d like to suggest she finds a writing friend. (I’ll raise my hand, if she wants to try it!)
I see her being stuck because she suffers from “it’s not good enough syndrome” to share with others. Well, then… a second pair of eyes helps.
Heck, if you don’t like writing by yourself – share the workload with another PLR storeowner. You write a pack, they write a pack – and then you share the packs across the board!
This gives you a reason to write, and helps the both of you get those stores filled faster! You don’t have to continue doing it into the next year, but it is a way to get some extra content on your site, right now!
Ok Tiffany, my writing is taking on a life of its own here. I best get to writing on Word!
Thanks for letting me ramble… You’re the bomb!
Thanks Bonnie! Love it
Thanks Tiff!
Now I got material for a blog post.
You are a word woman! Can’t imagine you not having material for a blog post.
WOW, I needed to read this. I have dreaded writing and I believe that has held me back from having more success online. When things were better, I could have afforded to spend a few hundred dollars outsourcing original content. But things have changed.
Over the last week I have started writing short articles 250-300 words and mailing them to my list, because I’m my worst critic and was not confident enough to post them in public. To my surprise I have gotten lots of positive feedback. I’m will continue to use my list as a sounding board, then I will post the articles on a blog I will create for the branding challenge.
Chris you write well – it’s all in your head
Tiff and others, Is there anyone here who can help me set up my web sites and I will write for you? Craig did such a wonderful job of teaching how to set up the ghostwriting page, but I am trying to set up the PLR mart and I have a domain called grandmahealth.com that I thought I could use for the branding course, but I am stuck. TIA
I’ll approve the comment and see if anyone can lend a hand Elizabeth!
Hi there Elizabeth,
I wrote to you from your ghostwriting site… regarding your plight mentioned here.
Hopefully, I can help.
Kind regards,
-Bonnie
Bonnie, Thanks,but I can’t find the comment. I am no whiz on a computer. Maybe you could go to my ghostwriting page, click on users and send an email to my mail. Please. http://www.ghostwriterbet.com
Elizabeth,
I went to your web site, and see no area called users.
Instead, I used your contact form you send prospects to when they are interested in your services.
Check your email box for my message.
Kind regards,
-Bonnie
P.S. Feel free to contact me using my web site link above. It will take you to my personal contact form.
Hey Tiffany…another dozen or so posts of this caliber and we will have the making of a short report on Dealing With and Curing Writers Block.
Alan Petersons second paragraph hit the nail on the head for alot of us. OUCH…the truth sometimes hurts!!!!!
This is good stuff!
Bob
It is Bob
Thanks for the great quote Tiffany. I have done everything to set up my site since purchasing your PLR ATM except writing the PLR content. Now is the time however as my wife is going to have a new little baby boy any day now and our budget is severely constrained as she is no longer able to work.
I sat down after reading your post here today and wrote out my first pack of articles which I will post for sale tomorrow once I figure out the paypal button.
I appreciate the kick in the rear Tiffany and keep up the great motivation for those of us lacking the proper state of mind.
I appreciate all you do for us that follow you!
Awesome Larry! Congratulations on that baby!
Oh yes, this is me at the moment – so good to read your thread here.
I’m not ready for the branding challenge after all so will wait and buy your stuff later on.
In the meantime will keep reading your emails and writing ……
Gaynor