Author Scott Berkun says writer's block is really fear of writing something crappy - and offers some tips for getting past the anxiety. My favorite is flipping your self-doubt over on its head and using it to get started:

Write about how it feels not to be able to write. It's sneaky, but damn, it works. The voice in our heads is always saying something, so get it down. Imagine yourself as a recording device, writing down the radio broadcast of some other person who happens to live in your head. Eventually your mind will hit thoughts on the topic itself and, presto, you're on your way.

    Write about how it feels not to be able to write. It's sneaky, but damn, it works. The voice in our heads is always saying something, so get it down. Imagine yourself as a recording device, writing down the radio broadcast of some other person who happens to live in your head. Eventually your mind will hit thoughts on the topic itself and, presto, you're on your way.

That first word really IS the hardest - so any way to trick yourself into getting it down is a godsend, whether you're a college student starting a paper, a blogger who wants to update, or a famous published author. — Gina Trapani