.floatimg-left-hort { float:left; } .floatimg-left-caption-hort { float:left; margin-bottom:10px; width:300px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} .floatimg-left-vert { float:left; margin-top:10px; margin-right:15px; width:200px;} .floatimg-left-caption-vert { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; font-size: 12px; width:200px;} .floatimg-right-hort { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 300px;} .floatimg-right-caption-hort { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 300px; font-size: 12px; } .floatimg-right-vert { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px;} .floatimg-right-caption-vert { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px; font-size: 12px; } .floatimgright-sidebar { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px; border-top-style: double; border-top-color: black; border-bottom-style: double; border-bottom-color: black;} .floatimgright-sidebar p { line-height: 115%; text-indent: 10px; } .floatimgright-sidebar h4 { font-variant:small-caps; } .pullquote { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 150px; background: url(http://www.dmbusinessdaily.com/DAILY/editorial/extras/closequote.gif) no-repeat bottom right !important ; line-height: 150%; font-size: 125%; border-top: 1px solid; border-bottom: 1px solid;} .floatvidleft { float:left; margin-bottom:10px; width:325px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} .floatvidright { float:right; margin-bottom:10px; width:325px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} The dread of the empty page. Or in today’s vernacular, the gleaming white screen, completely devoid of words. Or at least any words that will stick to the page.

We all experience writer’s block now and then. Especially when you are writing for work. Odds are, you’re against a deadline. Whether it’s a memo, a proposal or ad copy, you still have to be able to string the words together. Even when you’re not feeling it.

Here are some tips for breaking through a block and getting the job done that seem to work for me:

• Start in the middle. Write your intro last, so you’ll know just what you want to emphasize.

• Just write. No matter how rough or bad you think it is. Just get something down on paper. That leads right into tip No. 3.

• Editing is easier than writing. Go through your rough copy, circle what you like and keep going. It’s much easier to rewrite than it is to start from scratch.

• Think out loud. Work through your ideas with a co-worker. Words flow easier in conversation. And the feedback might give you a new perspective.

• Do something physical. Walk or even do jumping jacks at your desk. But get the blood flowing.

• Stimulate your senses. Crank up the music, light a scented candle or eat something exotic. Many people claim that certain soundtracks or types of music can snap them right back to being productive.

• If you can, change venues. Work in the coffeehouse, on a park bench or even at the mall.

Most of us don’t have the luxury of waiting for the muses to strike. So give one of these suggestions a spin and get back to work.

Drew McLellan is Top Dog at McLellan Marketing Group and blogs at www.drewsmarketingminute.com. He can be reached at Drew@MclellanMarketing.com. © 2010 Drew McLellan