Face to Face With a Blank Page

If you live in the city, go outside and people watch. If you live in the country, git yur butt out in the fresh air and listen, and smell, and be one with the world around you. If you live in the suburbs, move! However, when I am dry, many cups of coffee will loosen things up a bit...not always in a good way.

Ideas usually hit me with words attached. The key is to get them before they escape. If they do, sometimes I'll ponder, but never while staring at the blank page. I do what's suggested above. Sometimes I'll also let my subconscious work on the piece and see what comes out. Sometimes I free write on the concept. You never know what will come when you force words to flow. It can take a while to get into the piece, so plan for at least ten minutes of free writing.

All of these can work. I hope one works for you.

Two things help me when I'm struggling with a blank page. Firstly, to agree with B.D.Eyeslie above, I get out of the house and walk around town. Observing life on the streets, in a coffee shop or in a gallery usually results in a page full of ideas. Secondly, I read. If I am struggling with a poem it doesn't have to be other poets, although this can be inspirational. Short stories, news, political or historical writing can all start me thinking and then ideas start to flow.
Good luck with all your work.