It's easy for writer's block to strike.   Often, it seems the only cure for it is an immovable deadline, but there is another way.

Have you ever been in the position that you need to write something (a speech, an article or a blog post) and you're stuck for ideas,  staring at a blank sheet of paper, or empty screen?   Or, more commonly, you've got a dozen ideas and aren't sure how to fit them all in and don't know where to start?

There's a simple way around it and it's this:  Talk to someone.

Now, I'm not advocating mindless conversation about TV.  But the next time you are stuck see if you can find a friend, or colleague, ask them to listen, and then tell them what it is you are trying to say.   Speaking to someone else forces you to organise your thoughts and focus on the recipient of the conversation.   They can ask questions to clarify like:

"So what you're saying is...." 
"So what you mean is...". 
"So the most important point is..."

Then write down what you've said.   As you explain it to them you may come up with a metaphor or example  that makes your point, or find a new way to explain, or clarify your thinking.

I wrote 550 words of advertorial today in an hour by ringing someone and getting him to tell me why the product was great. As a professional speechwriter  I use a variant of this all the time when writing speeches.  I even know someone who wrote a book by spending an hour a week talking with his Personal Assistant.  (It's called "Hit the Road Running - get more clients of the kind you need" by Martz Witty and I recommend it to anyone in small-medium business - I like it so much I've given away 2 copies so far)  

The technique is valuable for any kind of writing, but particularly for speechwriting.  So if you're stuck with a speech, try talking to someone.  It can be a friend, colleague or family member, or you could use a professional speechwriter and coach (like me) to help you out on a project.   I offer a free conference call every Wednesday at 130 (details on the sidebar) where anyone can call in with any speaking issue, and I love to help people get unstuck. 

That's it for this week: next week: When Writing is Hard : Tip Part 2.