Guest Post: HOW TO GET PAST WRITER’S BLOCK

Guest Post by: Chitra Ramaswami

​Dear Writer’s Block, 

Your insistence on visiting me from time to time! 
Credulous seeming, no agendas you arrive
Harbinger of good news? A helper for my cause?
My naïve expectations, my willing procrastinations
Are alas met with your deafening silence
Why don’t you speak? A whisper will suffice.

Yours truly,
A Writer-In-Waiting

---

But this visitor doesn’t oblige you with answers. Instead, what we receive is a shove into the mind’s endless abyss - not an easy chasm to climb out of. Unable to predict its arrival or how long this creative block will last, I realized early on the nature of mental acrobatics, this predicament trapezes me into. And as per my experience, there seems to be no option but to go through the motions and hopefully land on your feet on the other side. Correction - not hopefully but surely. Yes, the narrative I choose makes a difference. 
From the fear of starting to the point of self-doubt, the whole gamut of emotions is all too familiar. But shouldn’t familiarity give rise to some semblance of confidence? Far from it - at least in this case. However, when I sense my emotions peaking and I’m at my most troubled stance, I know relief is around the corner. Strangely, mental fatigue of this nature eventually gives way to a phase of uninhibited writing, which in consequence delivers an unequaled high. A much-needed high. Unfortunately, we live in a world of deadlines.

---

So here are a few approaches that have helped me along the way:
Writer Block Hacks Disclaimer: To each his own

• Write often.  Write every day. Even if it’s a few lines. Trust me. Just do it. It helps to stay in the habit of writing than to decide to revive it out of the blue. 
  
• Read. Yes, read every day. The same rules apply. Be it a few lines, be it a few pages. Words entering and exiting your mind serve as great oiling for future expression.
  
• Take a break or not. This is a tricky one. A change of scene may be an inspiration or plain distraction. You need to be able to tell the difference. I may give myself a day or two and if I still don’t feel ready, I make it a point to start writing anyway. 
  
• Don’t aim for perfection. It helps to remind yourself that writing isn’t an exercise in executing the perfect sentence. Writing is simply expression. Revision and refinement are tasks for later. 
  
• Take notes. I’m always penning thoughts, words, observations. If I know I have an article to write in a few days, the notes from the preceding days inevitably have musings on the topic. This also lends the feeling of the work being divided over a few days. 
  
• Choose your ritual. Music. No thank you. Herbal teas? Keep it coming! Observe what personal preferences accompany a good writing session. Having a constant in the equation helps. 
  
• Deadlines can be a good thing. When all else fails, deadlines work - self-imposed or otherwise. 
  

Lastly, be kind to yourself. None of us have it all figured out. If it helps to know, the fact that writer’s block has nothing to do with your ability to write is scientifically backed. Writing and Writer’s Block are an inseparable pair. For the fruits of one, I have decided to accept the other. I try and lead my mind to a place of no judgment - internal or external. I say it over and over - “I am writing for myself”. And it helps. 

To read my memoir, But First, Rumi
please click on the link here:
 But First, Rumi is available worldwide
on Amazon as e-book and paperback.

Also available in select bookstores.
​
Website: https://cramaswami.com/ 

Blog Tour Dates
March 15th @ WOW! Women on Writing 
Join us at the WOW blog, The Muffin, to celebrate the launch of Chitra Ramaswami's book But First, Rumi. You can read an interview with the author, find out more information about this touching memoir, and win a copy for yourself! 
https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com 
 
March 16th @ Hook of a Book 
Join Erin as she shares a guest post by the author about Omani street cats.
http://www.hookofabook.wordpress.com 
 
March 20th @ Boots Shoes and Fashion 
Visit Linda's blog to read her interview with author, Chitra Ramaswami about her book But First, Rumi. 
http://bootsshoesandfashion.com 
 
March 20th @ Pages and Paws
Visit Kristine's blog today to read her review of But First, Rumi by Chitra Ramaswami.
https://pagesandpaws.com
 
March 21st @ Shoe's Seeds & Stories 
Visit Linda's blog today to read her review and spotlight for But First, Rumi by Chitra Ramaswami. 
https://lschuelerca.wordpress.com 
 
March 25th @ Keeping it Real 
Join Lisa as she shares a guest post by the author about how to get past writer's block. 
https://www.lisambuske.com/ 
 
March 26th @ Author Anthony Avina 
Visit Anthony's blog as he shares a guest post about cats and mental health and reviews But First, Rumi by Chita Ramaswami. 
http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com 

March 28th @ The Faerie Review 
Visit Lily's blog where she interviews author Chitra Ramaswami. 
https://www.thefaeriereview.com/ 
​
March 29th @ Beverley A. Baird's Blog 
Join Bev as she shares her thoughts about But First, Rumi by Chitra Ramaswami. 
https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/ 
 
March 30th @ Lisa's Reading 
Visit Lisa's blog where she reviews But First, Rumi by Chitra Ramaswami. 
http://lisasreading.com/ ​

April 1st @ Knotty Needle 
Visit Judy's blog and read her review of this touching memoir for pet lovers, But First, Rumi. You can also win a copy of the book too! 
http://knottyneedle.blogspot.com/ 
 
April 5th @ Reviews and Interviews
Join Lisa as she interviews author Chitra Ramaswami about her book But First, Rumi.
https://lisahaselton.com/blog/
 
April 5th @ Note to the World
Come by Mahnoor's blog today and read the review of But First, Rumi by Chitra Ramaswami.
https://www.notetotheworld.com/
 
April 7th @ It's Alanna Jean 
Join Alanna as she shares a guest post by Chitra Ramaswami about the misconceptions about cats. https://itsalannajean.webnode.com/
 
April 13th @ Deborah-Zenha Adams 
Join Deborah as she shares a guest post about writing process by the author of But First, Rumi. http://www.deborah-adams.com ​

Thank you Chitra Ramaswami for sharing with my readers! May you have a wonderful book tour!