Friday Speak Out!: WRITER’S BLOCK? TRY USING A WRITING PROP

By Laura Yeager

Writer’s block is a common problem. It can last an hour, a day, a year or two or, God forbid, even longer. People try many things to get over it – brainstorming, writing to music, using writing prompts – to name a few. Whole books have been written on the subject Now, here’s an idea -- if writer’s block happens to you, the issue might be solved through the use of a writing prop.

I had never purchased a writing prop until recently. What I mean by “writing prop” is an object that I use to generate ideas for an article I want to write. Take, for example, a miniature Zen Garden retailing at $24.99. I invested money in this because I believed I’d get a story out of it, and I knew I’d probably be able to market the piece and make a profit from it.

With the Zen Garden, I began experimenting to see how using it daily would make me feel. Zen Gardens are meditation/relaxation devices. And guess what? The tray of white sand and little rakes actually promote calmness. I ended up writing about Zen Gardens and their benefits for cancer patients for Curetoday.com, a cancer website. The article was published on April 4, 2025.

Writing props can be anything that helps you generate ideas for an article or a story. A writer might invest in a deck of tarot cards to see if they assist in day-to-day living. After the writer experiments with the cards, she can write about the experience.

Another example of a writing prop might be a plant that you purchase, or raise from a seedling, with the sole purpose of discussing its growth progress in an article.

What about buying a white noise machine. Does this prop make your life better? The point is if you’re stuck for ideas, invest in a seminal object, a writing prop.

Try essential oils and candles in the boudoir. Do these make your bedroom activities better? Worse? If so, write about this.

There could be an article in the purchase of diet drinks. Do they really help you lose weight? Does eating more fruit and vegetables make you feel better? Invest a little money on them, or grow your own, and find out, and then discuss your findings in an article.

Using writing props is ultimately a form of research. For a minimal investment, you might come up with one or more stories.

Or if you’re short on money, get creative and look for (free) props around your house. For example, if you’ve never recycled before, start saving empty cans and bottles and see where it takes you. Who knows? This earth-friendly experience may generate a whole novel.

In conclusion, objects can be inspirational and can help banish writer’s block.

Dig up the family jewels. Put them in a creative work. See how they sparkle…in prose.

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Laura Yeager is a frequent contributor to Curetoday.com, a cancer website. She teaches writing at Kent State University at Stark and at Gotham Writers. Laura is happy and proud because her son, Thomas, has started writing and illustrating children’s books.
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