Writing articles can actually take a good amount of time when you combine all the necessary preparations along with the writing process itself. In fact it is not unusual to begin monitoring the time you invest in this process which can than lead to writer's block. The more time you realize you spent the more frustrated you become and this disrupts your flow of thoughts adding even more time to the writing process. Is there a way to write articles but avoid the various 'barriers' that are bound to occur that lead to more frustration and time spent in the process?

Here are 5 tips on writing articles which help to break down the process allowing you to consistently make progress thereby minimizing any wasted time.

Pull Your Thought Together - Stop

Take the time preferably away from your computer and brainstorm some ideas to determine what you want to write about. As ideas come to mind jot them down and continue to brainstorm different ideas. To start yourself off think about something you have recently completed successfully or perhaps something you want to learn more about. Make sure these ideas are relevant to what your niche is or what you are promoting.

Determine Your Direction - On Paper

Also complete this step away from the computer screen. The change of scenery and the lack of pressure you put on yourself sitting at the keyboard will allow your 'creative' juices to flow more easily. Let's face it how much inspiration will you get staring at the same keyboard?

Look at the topics you have already listed and determine what it is you want to discuss about them or what point you want to make. At this point jot down the thoughts you have come up with and begin to rough out an outline to your article.

Establish Your Train of Thought

Now that you have established a rough outline your article is beginning to take shape. Make notes in your outline about what points you want to make under each section. Jot down any other ideas that may come to mind in the appropriate section of the outline so that when you actually start the writing process it will flow easily.

Get to Work

Let the writing process begin! Using your notes you can now quickly begin to write knowing in advance what your topics are and what direction you intend to take them. As your fingers 'fly' across the keyboards you have your note to refer back on to refresh your memory and keep you 'moving' forward.

Address Writer's Block IMMEDIATELY

When this occurs, and it will, review what you have written to see if this does not put you back on track. If need be leave your work station for a 'thinking' break to help establish your train of thought once again. If all else fails go take on any other task that needs to be completed so that you are at least accomplishing something. By doing this it will help relieve the pressure building within you from the frustrations of making little or no progress.

Writer's block is something that can and will occur on occasion no matter how well prepared you may be. The key is to not let the frustration of it build in you since this will only make matters worse.

Writing articles involves much more than simply just sitting down and tapping away on your keyboard. When you consider how long the writing process takes you need to also factor in the necessary preparation. Another consideration of course is the occasional bout of writer's block that affects just about anybody who writes articles. The 3 tips on writing that were reviewed here address these factors or more appropriately their causes. By following these suggestions you are better able streamline the entire process and maximize your productivity. It boils down to not allowing needless disruptions to keep you idle when you could be more productive doing something else.