What is writer's block? I have asked the same question many times and thought I have come to points in my writing that I can't write anything that even feels remotely competitive to match up with what is out in the industry today. I've asked many professionals if they have experienced writer's block in their career and received a wide range of answers to the infamous question and decided that writer's block only exists if the writer allows it to.

Let me explain, in my opinion, what I think writer's block really is. I believe it is a term that I use when I can't seem to get it together and put forth the time and effort it takes to write. Be it a song, or short story, or poetry, it is so easy to fall into a little comfort zone that usually consists of watching TV or hanging out with friends and traveling. Then, complaining later that I have no time to get anything done. Then when I do find the time to sit down and write, I stare at an empty piece of paper and not a single thought will pass the page. We all know, I'm sure, how frustrating that can be.

If you have ever found yourself in the same position my suggestion is, use that comfort zone to venture away from it. We all know that what makes us comfortable is usually what makes us who we are, like hanging with familiar faces in familiar surroundings. Well, I say go live it up and spoil yourself in your comfort zone, however, while you're there, your job is to take notice of everything that is done and said. Pay extra special attention to conversations your having. Put special attention in the mood you were in or how someone made you feel. Write down the places you have visited, different cities or countries you have been to, and things you saw while in those different places. Write about the cultural differences you experienced and how that made you feel. But, don't stop there! Maybe your comfort zone is watching TV or reading a book, use that time the exact same way. Make note of what you watched or read and how that made you feel. Where you were when you read it? What kind of lighting was in the room when you watched it?

Keep a journal of all your findings, feelings, and inspirations. Write in your journal daily and be as detailed as possible. Make sure you are specific as to how things, looked, felt, smelled, sounded, and tasted. Have a section in the journal where you list your hopes and dreams no matter how far fetched they seem at the time; write them down. Have another section where you write down achievable goals. As you achieve one goal then take it the next step further. But, again, be as detailed as possible write down how you felt when you obtained that goal and how it makes you feel to extend the effort to reach the next goal. Continue until your journal is full. Remember to always be as honest with yourself as you can possibly be.

The next time you sit down to write that song or poetry on that blank piece of paper and the ideas just will not come. Refer to that journal that is full of all those emotions and events that you wrote about. Find that one thing that stands out and write your song or poem about that experience. I've always been told to write about what you know. Be sure to hone in on all the gory details just like you did the day you wrote it down. You will be amazed at what you find and what you might have forgotten about. Sometimes reading the journal can be a journey all of its own. If it is, don't forget to write about that too!

I asked a professional one time, "How do I get out of writer's block"? He told me to write through it! Best advice I had ever received, and so I thought I'd pass it along to you. So, if you're feeling a little uninspired today, go write about it!