Writer’s Block… the bane of every writer’s existence. Going through Writer’s Block is never a fun process, but it’s something that happens to all of us from time to time. It happens when we feel like we can’t come up with a new plot or when we can’t figure out the details of a particular character. It happens when we’re sitting in front of a computer screen or when we can’t stop tapping a pen against a blank sheet of paper. We all know the feeling. And it’s not a good feeling.
However, Writer’s Block isn’t an unbeatable force. In fact, it might not even be real. Many critically acclaimed authors don’t even believe in the concept of Writer’s Block. When we’re stuck with our writing, it’s easy to default to blaming Writer’s Block. The result is that Writer’s Block becomes this monstrous force that looms over your shoulder and exerts its force against you to hinder your writing process until it mysteriously goes away.
But we don’t have to fall into the trap of “Writer’s Block.”
There are tips and tricks to keep the creative juices flowing, and here are some of my favorites.
People-watch and Eavesdrop
There’s nothing better than going out in public— a restaurant, a library, a movie theater, a coffee shop, a college campus, a grocery store— and finding a spot where you can watch fellow human beings and listen in on their conversations. Sometimes you’ll hear a snippet of a back-and-forth between two people or one end of a phone call, and that could be the start of a conversation your characters have or a key aspect to the central obstacle in the plot.
Similarly, people-watching is a great way to study human behavior and to gather ideas for appearances and quirks for your characters to have. There’s no better way to build realistic characters and dialogues than to study people in real life.
No way to observe in public? No problem. If you're unable to go out in public, or if you feel uncomfortable doing so, then pull out an old newspaper, yearbook, or stock image. Look at the faces of random people, read stories and quotes, and develop your own backstories for these people on the pages. Figure out what their voices sound like. Find out if they're coffee or tea drinkers. What are their career ambitions? What are their deepest secrets? A picture can speak a thousand words, and you might be able to write that story if you want.
Freewrite
The idea is simple but challenging at the same time. Pull up a blank Word document or piece of paper. Put your phone away. Turn the TV off. No distractions (maybe music if that helps you write). And just write.
Nonstop.
For however long you want to.
NEVER stop writing. It doesn’t matter what you’re writing, and it will more than likely be nonsensical gibberish, but your fingers should never stop typing or scribbling. It doesn’t have to be for long either; it can take however long you want to. I find that 10-15 minutes usually works for me, but you can freewrite for as little as 5 minutes or as long as an hour.
You might not come out with a perfect idea or a flawless piece of writing, but the main idea of freewriting is that you get the creative juices flowing and you get into a bit of a writing groove. For some writers though, this method does result in a line or section that becomes the groundwork for a longer piece.
Write Everyday and Develop a Routine
Habituating a routine can be difficult, and cementing one can take anywhere from 2 weeks to a month. But having a dependable routine can give you a time frame every day to designate specifically toward writing. Fit in what you can: you can set aside 30 minutes or 3 hours. Do what works best for you and your schedule.
Once you create a routine, you have to stick to it for it to be effective. Commit to writing every day and keeping with your schedule. However, life gets hard sometimes. It’s okay if you can’t commit to that entire writing time every day, but try your best to write every single day.
Writing daily and having a planned routine can not only keep your creative spirit nourished, but they can also keep you motivated to keep writing and keep you from feeling guilty if you haven’t worked on a project for a couple of weeks.
Pick it Up in a Different Section
Some writers may feel like they have to write a novel or short story from beginning to end with no room for breaks or variation. This isn’t always the best way to write though, and if you’re struggling with the beginning, then that can be frustrating and discouraging.
If a section is bothering you, step away from it.
Work on another scene or another chapter. You probably have planning notes and character cards nearby, so refer to those to make sure consistency is upheld, and make more notes as you keep writing. But there is no harm in starting a creative piece right in the middle. In fact, working on the “meat” of the creative work might help you brainstorm a hooking beginning and thought-provoking ending.
Take a Walk
If you’re struggling, go outside and get some fresh air with a short walk. Exercise can boost both creativity and mood, so even a simple walk could help you get out of that writing funk.
Additionally, walking is considered to be a monotonous task, something that the body can do almost automatically without you devoting too much brain power to it. When you do something monotonous (going for a walk, taking a shower, cleaning the house, etc.), your brain goes on autopilot, and your subconscious can wander free and daydream. This could result in a creative epiphany for your and your writing.
Switch it Up
Experiment with different ways of writing. If you normally use a laptop, try writing with a pen and paper. If you typically write inside at a desk, then try writing outside at a picnic table.
Sometimes, if you get too used to something, then your creative mind almost becomes “immune” to the same old thing. If you switch it up every once in a while, then you’re less likely to get stuck in a writing rut, and you can continue to more easily produce creative works.
Do a Creative Warmup
Whether you’re struggling with a current project or struggling to come up with a new idea to write about, this trick can help with both. Take a step back from your current project and look up different writing exercises and writing prompts. These don’t have to be something that you spend a lot of time on, but focusing your creative energy on a new project could “restart” your brain and allow new ideas to flow.
Long story short: Writer’s Block may or may not be real, but whatever it is, it’s not fun. Finding a strategy that works for you could be the key to getting out of a creative funk. But just because a strategy works one time doesn’t mean it will work every time. Having a bunch of options under your belt could make a huge difference in your writing world.
Looking for more tips? Check out these resources:
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