Writing Tips: How to Beat Writer’s Block & Create a Sticky Writing Habit

Author Ann Handley joined #Bufferchat to discuss ways to take your writing to the next level. Check out her latest book, “Everybody Writes” for great advice on writing and content marketing.

Check out the full recap on Storify here!

Is writing a habit or an art?

From Ann:

• “Writing is habit before an art. It’s hard to create something that’s artful without first building the muscle.”
• ” ‘As the martial arts: A black belt means you’ve mastered the basics and are ready to master the art.’ “

Other great insights:

• “Writing is an art that is nourished by habit.” @MadisonJonesHR
• “It’s both. In order to practice your art, you need to develop the habits to do this.” @nickhtang
• “Writing is an art but to perfect it, writing must become a habit! Practice makes perfect!” @KyleClaytonGore
• “Few people are naturals at anything, even art. Practice (habit) help bring out the best in art/writing/everything” @brucerpdx
• “Most great artists developed their art through habit. I think writing is the same.” @djforge
• “Writing is a habit (that anyone can do), but COMMUNICATION is an art (effectively done by only a few)…” @jgombita

How do you beat writer’s block?

From Ann:

• “Start with “Dear Mom” –or start writing a friendly email to anyone to cure FOTBP (Fear of the Blank Page)”
• “Or try dictating & transcribing with @CastingWords or @speechpad — few of us ever get “talker’s block.” “

Other great insights:

• “Write about anything; the fly on the wall, the smell of the air – the point is: Do something.” @shartwell92
• “Don’t think too hard. Start typing and just start getting words out.” @BKMediaGroup
• “I can’t beat writer’s block. I can only go around it. That’s time. Step away. Think about the topic. Re-approach.” @jayvig
• “Doodle in your notebook. Then write a story based on those images. A nice break to spark creativity!” @valfrancisco14
• “To beat writer’s block I start with the technical parts of the blog. Set up a draft, find a photo. I trick myself.” @YouTooCanBeGuru
• “I try to find out the source of the evasion – is it the topic? do I need a break? Sometimes you need to just step away.” @KrisMikulka4

What are the three most important writing “rules” in online marketing?

From Ann:

• “Have empathy for the customer, be useful to them, and have some measure of inspiration (either via data or creative)”
• “And have fun! No one ever created great content at bayonet point, as my friend @jaybaer says.”

Other great insights:

• “Understand your audience, respect their time, write what you love” @kymberlaine
• “Be helpful, engage the reader and don’t lie” @PetrPinkas
• “- Concise. – Relevant. – Thought/Action Provoking.” @NerrajT4
• “1. know your audience 2. know the ideal post length of each platform 3. don’t underestimate the power of simple msgs” @Jasongalliger
• “Be concise. Make it about them. Offer Value.” @LifeofRileyNYC
• “Be real. Be truthful. Be fun. We need to be real people. Statistics are good, but feeling and experience trump for me.” @Dan_Baymore

What responsibilities do we have as brand journalists?

From Ann:

• “In my mind, we must adhere to the same standards of accountability, integrity, responsibility, honesty.”

Other great insights:

• “To guide the public opinion in good and truthful direction.” @wwomantravels
• “Simple. Tell the Story. Tell it RIGHT. Get your facts straight before you write/tweet/speak.” @thenameiscasie
• “Honesty, Loyalty, Familiarity. Keeping your brand honest builds credibility, and consistency keeps advocates happy” @KaitMoffatt

How do you craft content to encourage discussion?

From Ann:

• “Make it at once personal and universal – in other words, a personal story that’s relatable.”
• “Have an undiluted opinion. Not arrogant — but nonetheless a POV that takes a stand.”

Other great insights:

• “Build in ways for people to engage! Ask questions, play games, there are so many things you could do.” @chrissachrissa
• “Make it open ended. Be it in the form of a question or about an issue in the topic.” @danielerossi
• “Start with Listening. Join in on the conversation. Ask questions. LEARN. EDUCATE. SHARE.” @marlinobitanga
• “Write in your natural voice, create value, and always remember to ask questions.” @jarematkinson

What productivity or writing tools are central to your workflow?

From Ann:

• Moleskine
• Word
• HemmingwayApp
• WordPress
• Instagram
• Blog About

Other great tools mentioned:

• Evernote
• Google Docs
• TextEdit
• Medium
• Trello
• Buzz Sumo
• Google Sheets
• Spotify
• Time Doctor
• SublimeText
• Zapier (Idea in Trello -> Zapier -> Evernote note)
• 750words.com
• Pocket
• notes mobile app
• Writeroom
• KneaverPad
• Asana
• Pandora
• Getworkdonemusic.com
• Flipboard
• Post-It Notes
• old fashioned notebook & pen

Essential books on writing:

• Writing Down to the Bones by Natalie Goldberg
• Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
• The Elements of Style by William Stunk Jr and E.B. White
• Everybody Writes by Ann Handley
• Content Rules by Ann Handley
• On Writing by Stephen King
• Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynne Truss
• AP Stylebook
• Copywriting 101 by Copyblogger
• Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman
• The Courage to Write by Ralph Keyes
• Accidental Genius by Mark Levy
• On Writing Well by William Zinsser
• The Philosophy of Composition by Edgar Allen Poe
• Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury
• Confessions of an Advertising Man by David Ogilvy
• Reading Like a Writer by Francine Prose
• Spunk and Bite by Arthur Plotnik
• The Right to Write by Julia Cameron
• Writing the Works by Kenneth and Raphaelson
• The Copywriters Handbook by Robert Bly
• Unconventional Guides by Chris Guillebeau

Thank you to everyone who participated! Join us each Wednesday at 9 am Pacific/noon Eastern for #Bufferchat!

Image sources: Noun Project, Blurgrounds, GetRefe