Scott Berkun is an amazingly prolific and intelligent author. His book, The Art of Project Management, is a minor classic. He’s written a fascinating essay listing the tricks he uses when faced with an irritatingly blank page/screen. I particularly like this one:

Whiskey. Yes, alcohol is writing’s seductive little mistress. A well timed shot of whiskey can work wonders for the jittery, neurotic mind. It’s the shock to the system that works for me, so when I can’t start, there are alcholol free alternatives to get things flowing: a cold shower, an underwear clad run up the driveway, a shot of espresso, a peek at my naked wife, the list goes on. Don’t depend on these (as the more you use, the less they work, except for the last one), but occasionally they’re the only way.