It is important to give a voice to matters that concern and interest you - from homelessness and making others happy and laughing through humor to educating our children. You may have already begun to create the message that you want to convey through either a novel, comic, or history book, but suddenly you notice that you are experiencing what is called ‘writer’s block.’ What is ‘writer’s block?’

Writer’s block is an obstacle or sudden loss of writing new information or material. Everyone experiences some form of writer’s block. According to Emily Temple’s blog in Flavorwire Magazine, she explains how the prolific world-renowned author, Maya Angelou, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, overcame her writer’s block:

“What I try to do is write. I may write for two weeks ‘the cat sat on the mat, that is that, not a rat.’ And it might be just the most boring and awful stuff. But I try. When I’m writing, I write. And then it’s as if the muse is convinced that I’m serious and says, ‘Okay. Okay. I’ll come.’”

As you can see, everyone has writer’s block at some point in time in their writing career. It doesn’t matter whether writing is your profession or your hobby, it affects us all. Let’s explore three quick and easy steps that you can take to help you to muddle through your ‘writer’s block.’

1. Relax. Writer’s block normally occurs when you are fatigued. When writing, you may experience several spurts of writing fluidly. At other times, when you begin to write your words take on a sluggish flow. This is the time that it appears as if you are hitting a brick wall.

The first step in relaxing is to set the atmosphere for writing. Begin by positioning yourself in a place that brings out the creativity in your being, but also gives you the serenity and peace that you need to kick out those ideas. Ideas flow best with a clear mind.

Next, find that place and space that speaks to you. For some, that place is a coffee shop, watching others with their earbuds in, while for others, like myself, it's along the waterfront, looking out the window at nature or listening to my favorite playlist. Lastly, once you find that balance, let it embrace you and become one with it.

2. Write. Let’s explore a few different ways to navigate through this process. One way is that people always ask me how did I write my first book?

I told them I just wrote. I was in the zone but when I wasn’t, I worked on parts of the book that didn’t require any concrete written thoughts, like focusing on the layout of the book. I put my efforts into other things that were needed to create the whole piece of work. I did not want to get bogged down with writer’s block, but instead focused on the other part of my message to the world, like the book’s presentation.

Another way is using the process that Maya Angelou tapped into; her muse. Her muse and creative process are what helped her to jumpstart her writing flow, and you can do that as well. Or you can begin writing other parts of the book.

Most people try to write in the order of the book's events. I’m guilty of that also, but remember you can always skip around and adjust the content later, like I’ve done on several occasions. If you like structure, create an outline of everything and when your ‘writer’s block’ kicks in, begin working on another chapter or a piece of a chapter, but if nothing else ... just write.

3. Visualize. What was the prompt, the message, the passion that you wanted to convey to your target audience originally? Revisit that feeling, embrace your purpose and begin planning. It may mean revisiting those Post-it notes that you have all over the house, office or car.

Go back to basics. When your thoughts appear to be jumbled together in your head because there is so much to say, stop and begin at the beginning. Try not to focus on deadlines and other things that may cause you to lose your focus. Remember, writing began as a fun, creative and beautiful thing - don’t let it turn into an unhappy, confusing and demanding task.

Go out, relax, write and visualize your masterpiece. The world is waiting.