Have you ever felt like you just...can't?

Maybe you're sitting in front of the glowing white screen and the words won't come.

Or maybe, you don't even get to the screen. You can't quite bring yourself to pull up a chair because you've got this feeling...

You don't know what you want to say...or you're not sure where to start.

Maybe you're thinking you can't do it in ___________ (insert language here).

Or maybe you dread the page because you dwell on every sentence, every word...You know, because it has to be perfect.

How do I know? Because I do it too.

That's just a partial list--all of those are things I've done...and do—despite being a language teacher, writer, and writing coach.

Yes, I stare at a blank screen and freak out.

Yes, I've found myself in panic mode thinking "what am I going to say?"

Once upon a time, I was so afraid to make mistakes in French (my near-native language) that I was afraid to send texts!!!
There are times when I just feel like I'm not ready--like the words aren't there--in my native language.
And in Spanish...I have a beautiful book of Spanish poetry for Spanish learners…complete with prompts(!) I’ve invested plenty of time and travel in the language but still, a little voice whisperes in my ear..."Oh, you won't be able to find the words to actually write a poem. No...."

Does all that insecurity sound weird coming from a teacher and writing coach?

Well, if I didn't know what it feels like when your stomach turns into a tight ball and the words won't come, what kind of writing coach would I be?

What kind of writer would I be?

The only people who are comfortable all the time and never have creative angst are the people who never try to make anything in the first place.

So maybe, if you're feeling any of the above?

You're just at the beginning of something really exciting.

But how do you go from frozen in front of the screen to furiously writing?

My own creative mess..about why you should use get yourself unstuck with a splatter.

Well, that’s a BIG topic….but there’s one really simple first answer: the splatter.

It’s what you see in the images in this post…you start with your idea in the middle…and you throw any and all ideas out around the page…

Use a horizontal format (for reasons we’ll talk about more some other time).
Use colors, just write…spell it wrong, make a mess…
Gather your thoughts…
And if you’re a multilingual? Gather your words.
Maybe the ideas and memories come to you in more than one language? Write them down anyway.

It’s as crazy and messy as it sounds…but it is the smallest, easiest thing you can do. And it works.

Why?

Because ideas, thoughts, stories… your imagination? They aren’t linear. They’re out there waiting to be snagged as they fly by in a dream state or as a 3-D model in your mind as a memory you can see, touch and smell from your past.

Because there is absolutely no excuse to not get started on this for 10 minutes NOW. Start the poem, the blog post, the trip down memory lane…that book already…

Because if you’re not quite ‘there’ or not quite ‘finished’ after 10 minutes? You can come back and add to it tomorrow—and the ideas will be even better.

Because when you’ve got lots of languages floating around your head, it helps to recall them before you start writing. (Some of us know what it’s like to get stuck on the words, the ‘right words.’ And if you keep it up long enough…you’ll ‘forget’ the words in your native language too—take it from one who knows.)

Oh..and yes, I'm planning to try this at home…and am working up the nerve to try it in Spanish. (It has been a while!) What about you? Where are you stuck? Which topics? Which languages?

This blog post is part of a series/challenge from the Vagabond English Newsletter. If you catch us in time, you can get updates and further depth and materials from the Newsletter. If you’re late to the game? Don’t worry…I share my writing and teaching ideas regularly—there’s something new to come soon…