8.Brainstorm

Get an easel and a group of coworkers together. Shout out ideas while one person writes them down. Pay no attention to whether they make sense, are silly, impossible, or totally unrelated. When page is full, sort through ideas, picking out ones you like best.

9.Freewrite Until You Get There

This is fastest way I know to beat writer's block. Get out a blank pad of paper, put on some classical music, and write. Keep pen moving for a set time, say, 10 or 15 minutes and write down whatever comes to mind. Don't think, look back, correct, or delete anything; just write. At end of session, read what you wrote, underlining anything that jumps out at you. Use these words to find a topic.

10.People Watch

Go to mall, an airport, or other crowded place. Take a seat and watch people go by. Where is that guy with green sneakers going? Where does that couple live and what do they drive? How about those children running back and forth while their parents pay no attention? Think up stories for all these people to get your mind moving. Soon, you'll have several topics to write about.

Using any or all of these techniques is sure to stimulate your brain. Keep this list posted somewhere in your office for next time you need to invent a topic to write about.

7. Dictionary and Thesaurus. The ones that come with word processor are not sufficient. Get yourself some good old fashioned books, or a dictionary hesaurus on CD.

8. Company style guide. Some companies are very strict about their internal or external communications. They may have rules about style (different accepted spellings, for example) so that everybody who reads your company's literature or correspondence receives a consistent message about your company. You may lose credibility with your readers if everything sounds like it came from XYZ Corporation, except letter you are writing.

9. The right atmosphere. If your office doesn't cut it, find a better place. The library may work. A conference room might provide more space for you to pace as you're dictating your masterpiece. If you're writing about your company's manufacturing plant, it might help you to actually be there while you're writing.

10. Writing is rewriting. Remember that nobody, even Shakespeare, gets it on first try. Your first draft is exactly that - a rough copy, a sketch. Think of it as equivalent of a doodle when artists paint. They don't start with canvas - and neither should you. Unlike many other jobs, in writing, it's okay to make mistakes as you go along. Your final draft will be vastly different from few sentence fragments you begin with.

Using checklist items will set you up for a successful writing session. Have on hand as many of these items as you can each and every time you sit down to write something -- whether it's a letter to your customers or an annual report. By keeping all tools you need in one place, your writing session will go smoother and will be easier on your stress level than without them.