Are you sitting down to write only to find the words won’t flow? It happens to the best of writers, sometimes the creative juice runs out and while you want to finish your story, but you just cannot seem to get the words down on paper. It can be incredibly frustrating so to help, we have put together a list of ten tips to overcome your writer’s block.
The tips:
- Take some time off from writing. This might seem counterproductive but, as with most other things in life, sometimes we need to take a break. Leave your writing desk and go out into the world to relax, clear your head and possibly find inspiration. It is important that when you return to your writing that you are refreshed. One suggestion we find helpful is to take a walk or go for a hike to clear your head.
- Change or enhance your writing environment. Your space for writing might be what’s getting you down and you need some changes to insire you. Perhaps it’s a quick organise or redecorating of your space, or you might want to move it all together. Just don’t let it become your go-to procrastination activity.
- Do some research. It might be that your block is stemming from lack of knowledge on a particular subject or being unsure what to write next. Look at online resources or consult similar books in your genre. The more you know, the easier it will be to write about it.
- Plan your writing time. You may not have enough time to properly focus on your writing. The simple solution is to plan ahead at the start of each week. Schedule when you want to write and make sure that time of day works for you. It is also important to then stick to this time (or times) for writing, so that you can make a habit of it (Purdue Global, 2019). A good writing routine will get you out of your slump and, hopefully, keep you out of it.
- Read. Read. What better way to get out of your head than reading. An activity that is both very enjoyable and super inspiring. Try reading books outside of your genre for new ideas and inspiration (Brown, 2023).
- Pretend you’ve never read your work before. We found this tip very interesting and it comes from Masterclass (one of their instructors is Neil Gaiman). Basically, take your manuscript and read it as if you had never seen it before. According to the Masterclass team (2021), this may help you see the shortcomings in your writing and springboard some fresh ideas. Although, this option might be easier said than done!
- Free write. This technique is often recommended and is a good way to write without some of the usual pressures. As per a Barnes and Noble article (2023), you should set a timer and write without any restrictions. The idea is to just let your ideas flow onto the page, it does not have to be good, just write. They even advise you to not pay too much attention to grammar or structure, it’s more about getting new material out than being ‘polished’.
- Use writing prompts. These prompts may not be in the genre you are writing in but they could be the kick you need to get writing again. You may even find some new stories through these prompts. Reddit, Writers Digest and others post writing prompts on their websites and social media pages (Wilkins, 2020). For example, if you have a look on Facebook and like or join a group, you will see writing prompts pop-up on your feed.
- Join a writers’ group. By joining a community of writers, you can ask for advice and help with writer’s block and so much more. Find out how other community members deal with writer’s block and use their tips and tricks in your own writing process. There are many of these support groups in South Africa and internationally, so look around to find one suited to you.
- Set some writing goals and deadlines. This can seem daunting but start with setting small daily or weekly goals. You don’t have to shoot for the moon, but it might be helpful if you have something to work towards. Don’t be unrealistic with your goals or the timeframes you set for them but do try to stick to what you have planned. In addition, don’t be too hard on yourself if you don’t reach them, there are always tomorrow’s goals to aim for.
Our closing remarks on writer’s block:
These are just a few of the tips out there that you can try to use to overcome your writer’s block. More likely than not, you are going to have to have to try a few to find the ones that work for you but hopefully you’ll be back at your desk and writing away in no time.
Sources consulted for this article:
We suggest that you read through these sources as they contain many more tips.
‘What is Writer;s Block? How to Overcome Writer’s Block With Step-by-Step Guide and Writing Exercises’. 2021. MasterClass. Available Online: https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-writers-block-how-to-overcome-writers-block-with-step-by-step-guide-and-writing-exercises. Accessed: 31 October 2023.
‘W Ways to Overcome Writer’s Block.’ 2019. Purdue Global. Available Online: https://www.purdueglobal.edu/blog/student-life/7-ways-overcome-writers-block/. Accessed: 31 October 2023.
Brown, I.H. 2023. Writers Digest. ‘5 Ways to help Beat Writer’s Block’. Available Online: https://www.writersdigest.com/be-inspired/5-ways-to-help-beat-writers-block. Accessed: 31 October 2023.
https://www.thestorytellingnonprofit.com/blog/25-ways-to-overcome-writers-block/
Wilkins, H. 2020. ‘How to Cure Writer’s Block: 23 Proven Ideas that Actually Work.’ Studio Binder. Available Online: https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/how-to-overcome-writers-block/. Accessed: 1 November 2023.
‘9 Strategies to Overcome Writer’s Block.’ 2019. Academic Positions. Available Online: https://academicpositions.com/career-advice/9-strategies-to-overcome-writer-s-block. Accessed: 1 November 2023.
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