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Drawing a Blank? Writing & Editing Tips for Flawless Content
Practical Strategies for Writer’s Block and Content Success.
Presented by Dipo Ajose-Coker at DITA Europe 2025, February 18, 2025.

by Dipo Ajose-Coker

Writer’s Block: A Shared Struggle
Writer’s block isn’t just a novelist's woe; it affects technical writers, managers, and even executives. We’ve all been there, staring at a screen, ideas seemingly locked away.

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Common Problem
Affects all types of content creators.

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Real Impact
Reduces content clarity and effectiveness.

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Actionable Solutions
Strategies to overcome blocks and improve output.
What’s Stopping You?
Perfectionism
Unrealistic standards block progress
Fear of Failure
Prevents starting due to potential criticism
Information Overload
Too much data leads to paralysis
Loss Aversion
Fear of “bad” writing
Understanding these underlying causes is the first step in dismantling them.
What’s Stopping You?
Unclear Objectives
Understanding of the document's purpose
Undefined Audience
Uncertainty affects everything from vocabulary choices to the depth of technical explanation
Sparse or Conflicting Requirements
Contradictions in the project requirements lead to uncertainty and inactivity.
Digital Bombardment
Fear of “bad” writing
Understanding these underlying causes is the first step in dismantling them.
Stop Delaying and Start Writing
Procrastination is the arch-nemesis of productivity. But how do you jumpstart when motivation is MIA?
5-Minute Rule
Commit to writing for just five minutes.
Micro-Steps (Chunking)
Break tasks into smaller, manageable steps.
Schedule Time
Block writing time on your calendar.
New Environment
Remove distractions or find a new space.
From Blank Page to First Draft
Staring at a void? Let’s generate ideas.
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Mind Mapping
Visualize connections between ideas.
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Freewriting
Unleash ideas with timed, unedited writing.
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Question Prompts
Address audience needs and problem-solving.
Information Typing
Darwin Information Typing Architecture (DITA)
Influenced by Robert Horn's Information Mapping and Hughes Aircraft's STOP technique.
Tasks, Concepts, References, Troubleshooting …
Focus on Content
Sift Information
Repeatability
Bypass Decision Paralysis With Templates
Templates circumvent the agony of choice. They provide a structure, freeing you to focus on content. Think of it as choosing a house plan versus designing from scratch.
Pre-built Structure
Provides a starting point to avoid staring at a blank screen
Reduced Overwhelm
Makes the writing task seem less daunting
Anchoring Effect
Frees up mental energy to focus on the content
Eliminate Paralysis
Templates provide sections that writers can use. They start with a scaffold rather than a blank page.
Reduce Decision Fatigue
Templates standardize structure and style. This frees mental bandwidth for content accuracy.
Ensure Compliance
Templates embed organizational standards. This prevents oversights and errors, and ensures consistency.
Impact of Templates
Faster Output
Templates speed documentation by 30-50%, allowing writers to focus entirely on content rather than formatting decisions.
Clear Feedback
Standardization improves reviewer feedback, making content more user-centric through structured evaluation.
Compliance
Reduce recalls, loss of certification, defects, and repetitive support queries.
Templates translate specs into content. By focusing on the 'what' writers deliver precision.
Get the Words Flowing
Let’s tackle that daunting first draft.
Draft in Bullets
Start with FAQs
Skip the Intro
Use AI, if allowed
Using Cognitive Biases
What
Harnessing mental shortcuts that influence our decision-making and behavior.
Why
To make writing and editing easier and to improve content clarity and impact.
How
Leverage techniques like chunking, anchoring, and social proof to enhance productivity and quality.
Using Cognitive Biases
Cognitive biases can be allies. They help make writing feel easier.
The IKEA effect
Availability heuristic
The planning fallacy
Perfectionism
Fear of Failure
Loss Aversion Bias
The Zeigarnik Effect
Unfinished tasks bug us. Start a draft, even poorly, to trigger completion.
Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Fresh Perspectives for Fresh Ideas
Collaboration not only combats writer’s block but also enriches the quality and depth of your content. You’re not alone; tap into the collective intelligence around you.

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Peer Collaboration
Share ideas with colleagues for feedback.

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Leverage SMEs
Gather insights directly from experts.

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Join Communities
(CIDM, LavaCon, CCA, TEKOM, DITA-Molière)
Connect with peers for support and motivation.
When in Doubt, Talk It Out
Sometimes, the best way to clarify your thinking is to talk it out, even if it's to yourself. Pretend you're teaching someone, explaining complex concepts aloud. This helps you simplify and streamline your message.
Teach Someone
Pretend you're teaching the concept to another person. This helps break down complex ideas into simpler language.
Ask Questions
Ask yourself: "What's the main goal of this document?" and "What's the simplest way to explain this concept?" to get clear on objectives.
Reframe Task
Instead of "writing," think of it as "helping someone." This shift can reduce anxiety and make the task more approachable.
Work Smarter, Not Harder
Cognitive biases aren’t just obstacles; they’re tools.
Anchoring Effect reminds us to start with any idea, even if it’s rough, and refine it later.
Social Proof Bias encourages us to work alongside others for motivation.
Commitment & Consistency prompts us to announce our goals publicly to stay accountable. By understanding and leveraging these biases, we transform our workflow.
Chunking
Anchoring
Social Proof
Commitment
Keep the Momentum Going
Long-term productivity isn’t about bursts of energy; it’s about consistent effort and a positive mindset.
45-15
Focused Interval Rule
Establish a writing habit & take breaks
🏆
Reward Yourself
Keep motivation high.
✅
Reflect
Build confidence.
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Thank you all for your active participation.

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