How to Get Over Writer's Block

We’ve all experienced this at least once in our lives. It’s the moment when you sit down to write something and your mind draws a complete blank. Not a single idea worth writing down comes to mind and you start to panic because you realize the deadline for when it’s due is coming up. Most of the time it happens is because you’re either uninspired, unprepared, or you're just caving into the stress or pressure of getting it done quickly. That’s why I am here to help. Any time you feel like you’re stuck in a rut, refer back to this blog for ideas on how to get over the infamous “writer’s block.”

Top 3 Ideas to Getting over Writer’s Block

1. Move your body. Sitting in front of your computer screen for hours like a zombie is not going to help you whatsoever. You need to step away from the computer altogether and get your blood pumping. Go for a walk or jog around the block. The key is to get your heart pumping, body moving, and then head back to your work space motivated and ready to work.

2. Overcome a fear. If you can get over one of your fears, you can get over writer’s block. Think about what scares you. I mean really scares you. Maybe it’s sky diving, or asking your crush out on a date. Whatever it is, just do it. That mind-boggling rush you get from overcoming that fear is exactly what you need to get your creativity back and ideas flowing into your brain much faster.

3. Change your routine. Whatever your daily routine is, change it! If you’re constantly doing the same thing every day, than your brain is not being very active because it knows what to expect all the time. Start by reading books or magazines that you don’t normally read. Or change the route you normally take to work. Or maybe eat food that you have never tried before. I tried Thai food the other day for the first time, and I never thought I would like it but I do! Surprise yourself, and the ideas will come.



I hope these ideas were helpful! I’d love to hear your feedback on any ideas that have worked for you or didn’t work for you.



-Elizabeth Bassmaji

It Makes Me Mad! =)

I know, the title is a bit deceiving. But, sometimes, that is all it takes! You get angry about something and the cogwheels keep turning. Up until I started at Roosevelt, I tried to avoid writing because talking about issues seems a lot better, and it is! However, there is a lot to say that writing can help organize, when your mind is causing a ruckus.

So, what inspires my writing? Lately, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and discipline policies. I was especially upset today. It was my nephew's report card pick-up day today, and I could not believe the things I was hearing. His history teacher said that she spends the first few minutes of class "getting rid of" students who are being disruptive, and she was OK with that! His sixth and seventh period English teacher said that by that time of the day, there are as little as FIVE students! This is an achievement academy, but how are there so few students in class? What is being done with them? I'll tell you what, they are being suspended OUT OF SCHOOL. Now this really makes me want to rant. True enough, my research paper is all about discipline and possible alternatives.

So, is there a name for all this? Yes. It is called the school to prison pipeline. If you go to Roosevelt University you probably know, or have heard about this. I was very unhappy to hear that students are just pushed out of school. Now, why is it that this school is this way? For starters this is, again, an achievement academy. It is for those who did not pass the eighth grade and are past the age of being in an elementary school any longer. Second, it is the second worst school in the state of Illinois. Third, it is in the South side Bronzeville neighborhoods(Not far from the Greater Grand Boulevard). It is unbelievable that such policies to "deal" with students are being used to "help" other students. The whole school suffers and the student. In the long term, the students' future is lost. These policies do not engage parents or students into solving problems.

Now, I would much rather hold rallies and hunt down CPS representatives than write about it (as bad as that sounds in a blog about writing). I just feel like some ideas need to be HEARD, not written where only a professor will grade it. Nonetheless, I do understand the significance. I really hope one day to bring more people together to solve problems like this because our future depends on it. 

And that is what inspires me, very passionately. 

::Rebecca:: 


Ralph: "This is my mad face!"