How to Overcome Writer’s Block

by ·Comments Off on How to Overcome Writer’s Block

If you find yourself staring at a blank page, trying to write but are unable to find the right words, or lost the verve to express yourself, you’ve been struck by writer’s block, something all writers struggle with.

Overcoming writer’s block is a delicate process that is often highly subjective and depends on each individual. But, at the end of the day, it is about conquering self-doubt and knowing that hard work will pay off.

Writer’s block is a phenomenon experienced by writers that is best described as an overwhelming feeling of being stuck in the writing process without the ability to move forward and write anything new. While overcoming writer’s block is usually a different process depending on the individual, there are ample tools to help writers along the way.

Writer’s block has various degrees of severity, from difficulty in coming up with original ideas to being unable to produce work for years. This condition is not solely measured by time passing without writing, it is measured by time passing without productivity in the task at hand.

Writer’s block is triggered by a number of things, depending on the individual. Some people believe that writer’s block stems from a lack of ideas or even talent. However, that’s usually not the case.

There are four main triggers of writer’s block:

  • Apathy. These writers feel constrained by the “rules” of writing and struggle to find their creative spark.
  • Anger. These writers are often narcissistic and would get angry if something they created went unnoticed.
  • Anxiety. These writers worry that they aren’t good enough.
  • Issues with others. These writers don’t want their writing to be compared to others’ work, resulting in a fear of writing anything at all.

Tips On Overcoming Writer’s Block

  • Use a different writing tool. When your writing feels stagnant or you feel stuck, try changing your professional writing tools. If you usually type, try switching to pen and paper or typing in a different font. If you usually write by hand, try typing instead. If traditional methods don’t work, try a specialized writing app that hides your text or has a countdown timer that forces you to write without stopping. Switching up your professional writing tools can be as effective as changing locations to help you overcome writer’s block.
  • Take a break. Do something else for a while, and return a few days (or week, or months) later to view your work with a fresh eye. While having a space set aside for writing is important, sometimes what you need is a change of scenery. Write in a coffee shop, the park, get away for the weekend by yourself. That may be just what you need to get your creative juices flowing.“Plots come to me at such odd moments, when I am walking along the street, or examining a hat shop … suddenly a splendid idea comes into my head.” — Agatha Christie
  • Jump ahead. Write smaller pieces of the article, story, or writing project without knowing where they fit. The important thing is to keep going. A lot of problems are resolved in the doing. Avoid areas of high difficulty. Just write. You can always rewrite the first draft—make use of that freedom and get stuff down. Then come back to it.
  • Set a strict writing schedule. Tell anyone who needs to know that aside from an emergency, you’re not available. That should eliminate friends and loved ones assuming “you’re not doing anything right now, so…” It’s crucial you learn to say No. During your writing hours, you’re working.
  • Create a deadline for yourself. Time pressure can create focus and can force you to make decisions that you may be avoiding.
  • Turn off all other media.That means radio, TV, email, or social media. When we feel stuck, our inclination is to break from the work and find something fun to occupy our minds. That’s why Facebook, online shopping, and pictures can keep us from writing.
  • Make your process more visual. Unsure of how to continue a section or chapter? Turn to diagrams, Post-it notes or just plain pen and paper. Sometimes, visualizing the problem can help.
  • Do something thoroughly mundane. Monotonous tasks like showering, cleaning, and so on make your brain go on autopilot, leaving the creative side free to daydream about all kinds of things—including how to solve the issue that’s causing your writer’s block. If you feel like you’re stuck, a non-writing activity may prove helpful. If you stop directly and intensely looking at words, you might find the story you want to tell while doing another task. Pick an activity that lets you step away from the written word: watching movies, solving a puzzle, enjoying a meal, or looking at artwork. You can also turn to your hobbies, which help your brain concentrate, work, and finish tasks.
  • Freewrite. This is good advice for any kind of writer. Write without pausing to worry about sentence structure, grammar, spelling, or whether what you’re saying makes sense or not. Just write without second guessing anything. While most of it will be unusable, it’s a good way to push through the block.
  • Just write. You don’t get better at anything without practice. John Grisham established his writing routine long before he became famous. He got up early every morning and wrote for an hour before work. “Write a page every day. That’s about 200 words, or 1,000 words a week. Do that for two years and you’ll have a novel that’s long enough. Nothing will happen until you are producing at least one page per day.”
  • Make writing a habit. To avoid or overcome writer’s block, think about what time of day you find it easiest to be creative. For many people, creative tasks are easiest in the morning when it’s quiet and emails aren’t piling up. Others prefer writing late at night. Plan to write when you’re naturally most creative, whether it’s at 6 AM or 10 PM.
  • Lower your expectations.You aren’t going to do your best writing every day. Show up anyway, do the necessary research, and write. Even when it’s not your best work.
  • Read. Writers are readers. Good writers are good readers. Great writers are great readers. Read everything you can get your hands on. It’ll help you grow in your craft and inspire you when you come up empty. “If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.” — Stephen King. “Read, read, read. Read everything  —  trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! You’ll absorb it. Then write. If it’s good, you’ll find out. If it’s not, throw it out of the window.” William Faulkner.
  • Clear your mind. A foggy mind can stop you from getting your best ideas out. If you’re having trouble writing because of brain clutter, try doing something calming and introspective. Meditation, yoga, prayer, silent reflection, and other meditative practices will help you focus on the present moment and can improve your ability to concentrate in the long term.
  • Excercise. If you’re feeling sleepy and disconnected or disinterested in your work, try kick-starting your energy with aerobic exercise. It can be running, walking, or dancing: anything that makes you feel happy and gets your heart rate up. Even 10 minutes can help you feel better and write better. Exercise helps your body and mind work their best. It releases endorphins, the hormones that boost your mood. If you feel more productive and energetic, you’ll probably beat writer’s block.