National Day on Writing 2022

National Day on Writing- Tips for Overcoming Writers Block

October 20th is the National Day on Writing, an event which celebrates the importance of writing by highlighting the role it plays in society today. The National Council of Teachers of English created this day to both call attention to and celebrate the importance of writing.

One experience that all writers face once in their careers is the dreaded writers block. Appearing at the worst of times, writers block creates a challenge for the author, as there seems to be a limit to how much one can write. Although this stagnation seems inescapable, there are a few solutions on how to cease this creative issue. The English Department here at Millersville has created a variety of accountability practices to help combat writers block.

One of the best ways to overcome a writer’s block is to do the opposite of writing- talk to someone about the project you are working on. Vocalizing what it is you are writing may be the catalyst to help you start crafting your words once again. Another is to read others works before starting again on your own. This benefits not only your writing, but expands your perspective on different topics that others are speaking on. Another way to combat writers block is to set goals throughout the week, no matter how big or small. This can include 3 small goals, such as writing a new paragraph, finding a new source, or editing a piece of your paper. Some larger goals would include the likes of finishing a draft, editing the paper, or completing the assignment. Sometimes, the solution to ending writers block is to receive feedback from a peer on the work you have completed, as it can inspire different what to write next.

One thing to keep in mind is that writing can be difficult, and any progress that is made should be celebrated! Sharing your progress with friends and classmates by sending a photo of your work or meeting a milestone for your project can help tackle writers block. Celebrating your achievements can also be done on a personal level, such giving yourself a mental break by watching a show or ordering out your favorite food. Letting yourself have a breaks in between your work and giving yourself ample time to work on a project are great ways to avoid and remove writers block.

Although inescapable, writers block can be managed and combatted through these useful tips. Thank you for reading this article, and make sure to check out our other fantastic writers  under the MU writers tab in the upper right corner.

National Day on Writing 2020

Millersville University will celebrate the National Day on Writing on Tuesday October 20th, 2020.

The ongoing pandemic has dampened our hopes for an in-person event, however we hope that in spite of that, this celebration will instill students with an increased interest and love of writing as It has in previous years. The topic of focus this year will be ‘The Healing Power of Writing in 2020’. Given everything that has changed because of the pandemic, we believe that this year’s celebration calls for a focus on the importance of writing as a healing process that elicits comfort and peace.

This year, we will take to social media to share our own experiences with writing and quotes from our favorite writers about writing using the hashtag #WhyIWriteMU. Please see the National Day on Writing flyer link below for more information.

We will also look forward to sharing “Why I Write” feature articles written by students in Professor Joyce Anderson ENGL 327 Feature Writing and Magazine Journalism course. And for the first time, Professor Anderson’s ENGL 317 Editing for Publication class is also contributing to the National Day on Writing in the EDITORS 2020 tab. These will be posted on the National Day on Writing blog under MU Writers. For examples of past responses, follow the MU Writers link above!

questions, email Dr. Pfannenstiel at ambernicole.pfannenstiel@millersville.edu

National Day on Writing Flyer

 

National Day on Writing 2019

Millersville University will celebrate the National Day on Writing on Monday October 21st, 2019 in McNairy Library. Join the English Department, the One Book Committee, McNairy Library, and the Writing Center for fun and games.

We will have dice to give writing prompts, word games, annotating text with the One Book selection Homegoing. Games will be facilitated by students in Dr. Pfannenstiel and Professor Santamaria’s UNIV 103 course

We also look forward to sharing “Why I Write” feature articles written by students in Professor Joyce Anderson’s ENGL 327 Feature Writing and Magazine Journalism course. These will be posted on National Day on Writing. For examples of past samples, follow the MU Writers link above!

questions, email Dr Pfannenstiel at ambernicole.pfannenstiel@millersville.ed

National Day on Writing 2018

Millersville University will celebrate the National Day on Writing on October 17th, 2018 in McNairy Library. Join the English Department, the One Book Committee, McNairy Library, and the Writing Center for fun and games.

We will have dice to give writing prompts, word games, annotating text with the One Book selection All American Boy’s, and robots!

We also look forward to sharing “Why I Write” feature articles written by students in Professor Joyce Anderson’s ENGL 327 Feature Writing and Magazine Journalism course. These will be posted on National Day on Writing. For examples of past samples, follow the MU Writers link above!

questions, email Dr Pfannenstiel at ambernicole.pfannenstiel@millersville.edu

National Day on Writing 2017


On October 20th students and educators across the nation celebrate writing. This year the English Department, the McNairy Library, the Writing Center, and the George Street Press invite you to Come Play with Writing!


Games and Writing 10am-2pm, McNairy Library

Gameplay is not only fun, players use various approaches to reading and writing, strategies that draw on reading and writing practices to win. To engage with these ideas, we’ll be playing games from 10am until 2pm in the McNairy Library. Stop by anytime to play and write!


Rock your Writing 2pm-4pm, The Writing Center in McNairy Library

Professional writers have strategies for quickly moving through writer’s block to productive writing. To help writers and students develop strong strategies for writing, we’ll be playing and crafting writing from 2pm until 4pm in The Writing Center. Stop by anytime to write blackout poetry, to craft multi-media stories, and to work through story ideas!


Readings 4pm-6pm, The Writing Center in McNairy Library

Writers share their work to revise, improve, converse. To demonstrate these ideas we’ll host an open reading. Join us as we share our work!