[IncPen]

I'm a writer, editor, director, producer, designer and illustrator (among other things).

My observation is that, when it happens, I'm blocked because I have too many options. For me it's never been about coming up with an idea- I have millions. It's about knocking them down to a usable- and appropriate- number and getting on with it.

That said, your 'free the mind' technique has worked for me (what do you mean we're going for a boat ride!? We're on deadline!).

Another thing I do is to tell myself, just before I start, "Home run... Knock it out of the park". I visualize a home run, or a complete success. Believe it or not, the best responses I've ever gotten to my work has been after using this technique.

[PJ-Comix]

I'm blocked because I have too many options.

Write down note of ONLY the info you plan to use. When you finish the story, cross off the notes you have used and add in the ones you haven't.

[PJ-Comix]

That said, your 'free the mind' technique has worked for me (what do you mean we're going for a boat ride!?

"Free the Mind" is nothing more than RELAXING and allowing your subconcious mind do your writing. And anyone who thinks all this talk about the "subconcious mind" is a bunch of mumbo jumbo---we all use our subconcious mind everytime we drive. Notice how often you automatically drive your car when your mind is on something else? This is a form of self-hypnosis (Actually the very act of walking is a form of self-hypnosis). The only difference between me and a lot of people is that I know how to use the auto-pilot of my brain in writing....in addition to driving and walking and a host of other activities that we take for granted.