Tips to Avoid Greeting Card Writer’s Block
If you have invested ample time, money and energy in coming up with a terrific gift idea, then you wouldn’t want to waste it by writing something average and ordinary on the accompanying greeting card. But how many times have you wanted to write something uplifting on a greeting card but were just unable to put your intentions into words? If you are like me you have probably been through the agony of putting something mundane and routine on a greeting card simply because you weren’t able to think up of anything else. Well, it does not have to be that way and even though you may not always be able to churn out a master piece, following these tips will at least ensure that you are able put your thoughts and intentions into comparatively appealing, uplifting and smile-inducing words that will enhance the beauty of your gift ideas.
The most important tip would be to learn to relax whenever you are feeling pressured to write something magical to go along with your gift ideas. Stressing your self out will only block out any creativity that is coming your way. In that moment when you are about to write, simply close your eyes for a second or two and take a couple of long deep breaths. If it helps, try, getting up from your chair, walking a few steps and stretching a little – doing this will take your mind off the “pressure” to write and thereby, will open the flood gates to your pent up creative juices.
If doing the above does not help, then look for some inspiration. Pick up your favorite book, turn on your favorite song or speak to a friend for a few minutes. Browsing through online magazines or reading quotations online will also help spark creative ideas on how to write something on the greeting card that would compliment your gift idea.
Talking to people you don’t know will also help greatly in generating and unleashing your creativity. Talk to some friends and family members and tell them about your gift idea and ask them their opinion on what you should write on the greeting card – you will be surprised how talking to people can help in giving you a fresh perspective on the subject. If it helps your cause, go for a quick walk and take your pen and pad along to jot down your thoughts. It does not have to be a very long walk, just a quick walk around the block will do wonders as well.
Another little something that works for me is that I always keep greeting cards given to me and I love to go through them every now and then – it helps me remember old friends, co-workers and relatives and the memory of them lives on through their heart melting words and gift ideas. It always helps to think of what people wrote to me when I am trying to write something for someone else.
Never underestimate the power of brainstorming. Sometimes you just have to start scribbling rubbish and before you know it you will find yourself coming up with ingenious ways of complimenting your gift ideas via beautifully sewed together words. This idea was beautifully summed up by Ray Bradbury, “Don’t think. Thinking is the enemy of creativity. It’s self-conscious, and anything self-conscious is lousy. You can’t try to do things. You simply must do things” and Pablo Picasso, “Inspiration exists, but it has to find us working.”
In general, the best way to keep the juices of creativity flowing is to always expose yourself to new places, new people and new experiences. Keep an open mind and appreciate each new experience. Keep churning out new gift ideas for your loved ones and don’t worry about what people will think and say – follow the old saying, “The best way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas” – this applies to all sorts of creative endeavors…and greeting card writing is no exception..
