How to beat writer's block

Every time I try to write something positive and useful about writers block, it seems to waken up and come at me like a demon who hadn't noticed that I was happily writing away, until I called its name and drew its attention my way...

So maybe today will be different and I'll manage to write some useful tips down before it notices... so here goes:

How to avoid writers block:

• Try not to think about writers block - just get on with it.
• Think about what you're going to write before you sit down at a blank screen or piece of paper.
• Allow yourself time to daydream - it's actually very productive and lets your imagination wander about and come up with things you didn't even know you had in your head.
• Don't be too worried about the first sentence, you can always go back and change it later, in fact you probably will, but at least you will have made a start.
• Let your imagination run wild without a care for what anyone else might think of what you've written - right now you're the only one who can see it, and you might just surprise yourself with what an unrestricted imagination in an come up with...
• If writer's block does strike, go and do something else: go for a walk, or a swim - I often come up with ideas in a swimming pool: or just sit in the sun and let your mind wander - you'll free your mind and sneak up on new ideas.
• Write something else - it's more productive than sitting staring at a blank screen, and come back to it later.
• Read something.
• Try writing with music playing. Music is a powerful thing and can change your mood in an instant.
• Visualise writer's block as a monster that you will either ignore or beat - but you will not allow it to beat you! 

Please leave a comment or add your own tips...