Blank Page Syndrome and Priming the Pump

Ever find yourself sitting in front of the computer with a blank word processing document open and no ideas about where to start?  Neither research papers, book reports, nor the next great novel can write themselves, so how do you go about breaking the ice that's formed over that blank document?

A Few Thoughts on Writing

Writing is like any other activity; you have to keep doing it to get better at it.  I read an interview with the late Robert Jordan where he talked about being a writer.  I can't find the interview anywhere online now, but it went something like: "If you want to be a plumber, plumb. If you want to be a singer, sing. If you want to be a writer, write."  I think he also mentioned reading a great deal too, so that you learn how other people have done it.

Sure, some people have more natural talent than others.  An affinity or Rain Man type of knack that's impossible to explain  I'm sure some people have different levels of potential just like athletes.  Dirty Harry said that a man's (or woman's) gotta know his (or her) limitations, but assuming that your limits are rather low is idiotic.  Assuming that you are limitless is probably the other end of the spectrum.

It really comes down to just putting words down and seeing where they lead.