Almost every writer faces writer’s block at some point in their career.
A blank page can be a canvas of endless possibilities or a prison of uncertainty. Writer’s block is an affliction that has tormented writers for centuries. It has left us feeling lost in our creative spark and identity. It could be frustrating when the words which once flowed effortlessly seem to elude us.
This feeling has left even the greatest of authors feeling downcast. Sometimes, the issue isn’t that you cannot write at all. Your inability to write in the manner you desire could be the problem.
However, remember that writing, like all forms of self-expression, is a journey. And sometimes the journey takes us to unexpected places. So, take a deep breath, let go of the pressure to produce, and embrace the journey of discovering your unique voice again.
What is Writer’s Block
Writer’s block is a creative pause or delay that affects a writer’s ability to produce fresh material that will move their narrative forward.
When creativity is stifled and writer’s block kicks in, we suffer what could be described as “creative constipation.” Often, writer’s block is accompanied by solid feelings like dread, fear, rage, and frustration.
Causes of Writer’s Block
To overcome writer’s block, it is necessary to address the possible root causes of this problem.
Fear
The most significant barrier to success for some writers is fear. Fear is a common obstacle for authors. Fear of being vulnerable and sharing one’s opinions. Fear of being judged or criticized by others for their job. Fear of getting turned down by editors or readers. Even though fear is natural, it becomes an issue when it keeps you from making something new.
Perfectionism
Perfectionism is one of the most typical barriers for writers and other creatives from all backgrounds. It’s common to want to give it our all and get every detail right before uttering the first word.
Most people use perfectionism as a coping strategy to shield themselves from unkind criticism or failure. Unfortunately, most authors will never produce a word if they try to compose the ideal line, paragraph, or novel.
Self-criticism
Our worst critics are usually ourselves. The thing that prevents authors from actually producing is frequently excessive self-criticism. Most authors contrast their work with those of more accomplished authors or even with previous jobs they have created.
This frequently leads to a downward spiral where nothing seems reasonable enough, and we can no longer see our work realistically.
External Stress
Sometimes, the individual with writer’s block doesn’t want to write but feels compelled to do so by others, sometimes their employers or instructors.
To identify your root cause, you can try asking yourself these questions
- Do I feel the need to compete with or excel in the writing world?
- Did I remember the subject or lose interest in the resolution of my story?
- Even though I have written a lot before, do I need more confidence in my abilities?
- Have I not written for so long that the act of writing intimidates me?
- Am I just feeling drained and worn out?
How to Overcome Writer’s Block
There are many ideas/ opinions on overcoming writer’s block. The methods mentioned below are those we have used and proven effective in the long run.
Talk to a Friend
Do you have a friend you share all your stories with or someone you feel comfortable talking to about your ideas? If yes, we advise you to speak with them about your feelings. This might be scary and overwhelming for you; take baby steps.
You do not have to offload everything in one sitting; take it quickly. Over time you can share your storyline ideas with them. You could write everything down as you talk or ask them to do that for you, considering what you both like.
Once written, that talk might make an excellent first draft if it is put on paper. An imaginary friend will suffice if you do not feel up to talking to real friends.
Remember: The worst strategy for treating insomnia is to lie in bed and try to go to sleep. It won’t work to stare at a white sheet or blank screen and hope that words materialize. Combating writer’s block is like fighting sleeplessness.
Make Writing a Habit
“Creativity is a habit, and the best creativity results from good work habits.” – Twyla Tharp.
Since creativity naturally ebbs and flows rather than being something you can schedule, some writers may find Tharp’s method counterintuitive.
However, the truth is that if you write when you “feel creative,” you’ll inevitably fall into a rut and struggle with writer’s block all the time.
Integrating writing into your daily routine is one of the perseverance strategies. Even if you’re not inspired, set aside time to write and write throughout that period.
Find out when your most creative juices flow. Although you may already have a pattern, you should change it if you have trouble writing. For example, getting up 30 minutes earlier could be worthwhile if you are most productive in the mornings. Also, try Sunday afternoons if you prefer low-stress writing periods because you won’t have any other obligations.
Be consistent with the days and times you choose. The only surefire approach to establishing a pattern is to attend your selected sessions! You’ll notice significant progress if you give it at least 3–4 weeks.
Have A Writing Schedule
Perfectionism is a common problem among authors and can be crippling when writing the first draft.
Lauren Hughes, an editor at Reedsy, says:
“Blocks often occur because writers put a lot of pressure on themselves to sound ‘right’ the first time. A good way to loosen up and have fun again in a draft is to permit yourself to write imperfectly.”
Freewriting is continuous writing for a set period (usually 10 to 20 minutes). Flow with it. Refrain from editing or checking your grammar or spelling during the writing process.
While writing, the objective is to produce words without critiquing them or yourself. It’s acceptable if your free-written piece isn’t yet complete or suitable for publication.
Freewriting will help you organize your thoughts or relieve stress. Locate a quiet area where you can concentrate, grab your writing supplies, and begin. Decide on a time limit.
When you first begin freewriting, set a time constraint of 10 minutes. Try extending your time restriction after you have the hang of freewriting. Enjoy the process rather than rushing to go longer than 10 minutes. Consider using The Most Dangerous Writing App if you’re struggling with it. Schedule a timed writing session; your text will vanish if you take a longer break than a few seconds. This software lives up to its name, but if you desperately want to quit overanalyzing everything you write, it will certainly help!
Stay Away From Distractions
Whether email, social media, a helpless neighbor, or breaking news, we live in a noisy world filled with diversions and interruptions that appear urgent to our job.
Avoid being distracted when writing. Distractions make it difficult for you to concentrate, stop your flow, and begin a project. Try to create a distraction-free environment when writing or engaging in creative activities. Both your physical and mental spaces are included.
Cleaning your desk can help you focus and reduce distractions. Schedule writing time by using time blocking. You should also unplug from digital distractions by shutting off your smartphone and the internet while you write.
Ask your family and coworkers to accept that time like they would respect your absence from a meeting or webinar. Plan writing time in blocks of at least three unbroken hours.
Read a Book
Reading is a great way to overcome writer’s block because it can inspire, motivate, relieve stress, or provide an escape. List your favorite writers and books, then reflect on what you appreciate about each of them.
By reading something you enjoy, you can let go of worries or concerns that may have previously held you back.
Whatever you decide, you can always rely on reading to help you escape your writing rut. You can use this quiet time to consider particular writing strategies or literary methods you could apply in your writing and subjects that you find particularly interesting.
Many writers look to the authors they admire to get their creative juices flowing, find inspiration, and overcome writer’s block. (If you need motivation again, that’s a fantastic justification to read even more!) figure out what, if anything, you want from the novels you read and use that in your writing.
Start Writing From Any Section
When creating a story, there is no hard-and-fast rule about where to begin; if the middle of the tale excites you more, start there! Alternatively, you may already know how you want your story to end and would like to proceed backward.
Writing parts of the work will be more successful than sticking with an unfinished concept. Because you’ll better understand how you’ve ordered your essay, writing out of order might help you create the ideal introduction at the conclusion.
In either case, you won’t feel as pressured to nail your first scene, and by the time you get back to the beginning, you’ll already be warmed up!
To understand the big picture better, you may fully outline your plot if you haven’t already. Even while improvising is entertaining, having a plan will give you a much clearer idea of where your tale is going and may inspire you to keep writing. Not to mention that determining the flow of your story can help you avoid further obstacles by resolving existing ones as well.
Recreational Activities
It might be quite beneficial to take a break and psychologically “reset” after spending hours at your computer before beginning another writing session—the feeling of being unproductive when stuck in one of the frustrations of writer’s block. Less work gets done the longer you stare at your screen to force yourself to be productive.
A non-writing exercise could be beneficial. You might locate the tale you wish to convey while completing another work if you stop staring intently and directly at the written word. Your non-writing task could be cleaning. Doing duties around the house will help you to relax and be more productive.
Most people would agree that taking a shower, walking, cooking a healthy meal, watching movies, doing puzzles, eating, or admiring art is much more relaxing than writing can be. Still, these kinds of activities could allow you time to daydream and develop connections in your mind that you might otherwise miss. Simply wash, rinse, and repeat until you’ve thrown that block out.
AI/Writing Tools
Writing tools, in general, are necessities to a writer as they help make your creative process easy.
Upgrading your tools can help with writer’s block, just like switching to a different scene can! Try switching up your writing tools when you feel stuck or your writing has stalled. If you typically type, try using a pen and paper instead or changing the typeface. Try typing if you often write by hand.
Several resources are available to assist you, whether you’re having trouble with a tedious word processor, character development, or even coming up with ideas for writing:
Reedsy Book Editor,
The free online word processor Reedsy Book Editor formats your book as you type. Watch as your rough drafts transform into a polished, ready-to-publish masterpiece, and let this final sight of your work inspire you to create more.
It has a built-in goal reminder system and an automatic spell checker to help you get back on track if you are slacking off on your writing deadlines. The Reedsy Book Editor’s ability to rapidly typeset your book to EPUB and print-ready PDF files is another of its best features.
Grammarly
Have you ever pushed “Send” on an email to immediately realize you had a glaring typo?
Grammarly performs the same tasks as the spell-checking features in Google Docs and Microsoft Word, but here’s the amazing thing: it’s a plug-in that will work anywhere you happen to be writing. That includes Facebook, Twitter, Gmail, and Google Docs. Additionally, it provides vocabulary or alternative word ideas; for example, it can advise substituting the word “wandering” for “walking aimlessly.”
Chat GPT
ChatGPT is a computer program that can talk to you like a human. It was made by a company called OpenAI. When you talk to ChatGPT, it listens to what you say and tries to guess what you want to say next. Then, it keeps refining its guess until it comes up with a complete answer. This makes ChatGPT good at having conversations and answering questions.
Jasper.ai
With less work, you can generate quicker, more effective marketing content for your company using the Jasper.ai platform. It is one of several tools that can increase your productivity, and it has a lot of experience with marketing campaigns.
It’s a fantastic copywriting assistant that employs an artificial intelligence engine to produce original material for your company in any industry or niche. It incorporates the copywriting algorithms and considers your input to create relevant content that you may use for:
- Blog posts,
- Email copy
- PPC advertisements,
- Press releases.
Jasper (formerly called Jarvis AI) has assisted in overcoming writer’s block. Therefore, if you occasionally need help with copywriting or simply coming up with ideas for your business, this tool can be the solution you’re looking for.
Exercise
Having a cloudy head can prevent you from expressing your best ideas. Try engaging in a relaxing, reflective activity if you have problems writing due to mental agitation.
Physical activity is one of the finest remedies for writer’s block. Exercise benefits both the body and the mind; it has been shown to lower stress, promote mental clarity, boost output, improve memory, and give one more energy for personal and professional pursuits.
Running, walking, or dancing are all acceptable forms of exercise that raise your heart rate and make you feel good. You don’t need to do hot yoga or run a marathon to get the blood flowing. Try performing ten sit-ups and ten push-ups alternately every 10 minutes for an hour to feel better and write better.
Your body and mind function at their best when you exercise. Endorphins, the hormones that improve your mood, are released. Having more energy and productivity will likely help you overcome writer’s block. You can increase your capacity to concentrate over time by engaging in meditative activities like yoga, meditation, prayer, and silent thinking.
Keep in mind that moving items usually don’t stop. Getting active might be the best way to ensure your writer’s block disappears. Put on your running shoes the next time you find yourself staring at a blank page and out for some exercise.
Practice Boredom
Okay, so you may not be bored. Try sitting around for a long time. Noise and notifications keep us preoccupied, but studies have shown that allowing your mind to wander can boost creativity.
Scientists used to think that having a wandering mind was a waste of time. However, new studies have discovered that daydreaming or mind-wandering is a highly engaged brain state that uses the same neural pathways that promote imagination and creativity.
So instead of pushing through writer’s block and making yourself crazy, just take a step back, locate a quiet place, and let your thoughts wander.
Final Thoughts
Without a doubt, writing is difficult. You’re bound to become frustrated if you encounter an insurmountable obstacle after spending weeks to years working on a project. There is always a fundamental cause for an issue; even if it requires effort and time, there will be a solution.
Here are some affirmations to remember while you work to overcome your writer’s block:
- “There are only momentary setbacks; there is no permanent block.”
- “As long as you keep moving, it doesn’t matter how slowly you travel.”
- “Every great author has been in this situation.”
