You are in THIS situation, right?
You want to write, but you just can’t put yourself to do it physically?
Well, you’re not alone. We’ve all been there, and we still are from time to time. It’s difficult to overcome it, but not impossible. Here I gathered a few tips on what to do when you have writer’s block.
Everyone is different, so I can’t tell you that everything will help you, so try them out and see what works the best on you.
Causes of Writer’s Block
Before I tell you what you can do about it, let’s see the main causes and how you can prevent yourself from getting writer’s block in the first place.
1. Timing
Maybe it’s because you don’t usually write in this time of day, maybe because you have something else to do and you think about it. Timing affects the way we do things and in what kind of mood we do it.
So yes, timing affects writing, too.
If you feel like you can’t write at this time of the day, try to change it up. Work different hours to see what works better for you. And don’t try to limit yourself by ridiculous society standards. Like everyone should work more productively from 9 to 5.
Some function better in the day, some at night. Try to work different hours in the day to see what works better for you.
2. Fear of Failure
Failing is bad, I get it! BUT, when it stops us from doing what we want to do, then we have already failed. So what’s the point of not even trying?
3. Perfectionism
Trying to write something perfect put some serious pressure on you. Because, no matter how good your writing is, there’s always room for improvement. And how can you compete with something perfect?
You can’t. You just try your best, and hopefully, that’s enough.
4. Something Happened in your Life
Maybe, you’re disappointed with something in your life, maybe you’re just burned out.
There are always things that go wrong, and there will always be. And even though this is annoying – I know it is – it’s also great. Just imagine, if everything went perfect, how boring would that be. Nothing to work for, nothing to try for.
Life is interesting because it has its up and downs. So don’t get stressed because most of the things you worry about, they won’t matter in a few months, let alone years.
5. You Don’t Like the Topic
Sometimes, the problem isn’t you, but the topic you have to write about. Now, if you decide the topic, the answer is easy. Just change it.
If you don’t, then find a way to connect with the topic. To find out why it’s important and what you can learn from it. No matter how boring a topic may seem, there may be more than meets the eye.
Tips for Overcoming Writer’s Block
And let’s see now the tips you came here for:
1. Don’t Overestimate it
Writer’s block isn’t that bad. Yes, it prevents you from writing, but it’s not the end of the world. Sometimes, all you need is some motivation to start writing.
Here are some memes <https://blog.reedsy.com/10-writers-block-memes-to-keep-your-book-afloat/> about it to laugh a little bit at yourself. 😀
2. Just Write
Leave aside the work you have to do, grab a notebook or your journal and write without censoring. Just write whatever comes to mind. Feelings, decisions, plans, dreams anything.
After getting everything out of mind, start writing what you should. Let’s assume it’s an article. Don’t try to make the outline or to make it perfect. Just start and see how your writing will lead you. YOu’ll have time to edit it later – don’t worry. What’s important is starting.
3. Focus
Try to increase your focus on the task you have. Distractions are your worst enemy here, so try to avoid distractions as much as you can.
Let’s see how we can make you more focused:
The Pomodoro Technique
It’s a great technique used to increase your productivity. Using it will allow you to work less while being extremely focused on the task at hand.
Brain.fm
On Brain.fm, you can find AI-generated music that will help you focus more and eliminate nearby distractions.
Go Outside
Go out with a notebook and a pen and leave your phone at home. I know, terrifying, but you can focus more and more easily on your writing.
This has a downside, though. You’ll have to write everything on your laptop again later if that’s necessary. But, you’ll still have finished the creative part, which is the hardest.
Set Deadlines
The more time you have for a task, the more it’ll take you to finish it. So set deadlines for your work to complete them earlier. To feel the pressure a little and get more focused.
Write Distraction-Free
Use editors that help you stay focused on your writing. I use Calmly Writer to keep me writing until I finish my articles.
4. Just Start
Beginning something is the hardest part of it. So, to make your life easier, just start working on your task.
Start in the Middle
You can just start in the middle of your article. Don’t worry about the intro and the outro. Just start from wherever feels more natural to you. You’ll write the rest at the end.
Start with the Easy Stuff
Do “only” the research, maybe the outline?
Well… and just fill in the ideas that come to your mind while outlining so that you don’t forget them.
Voila! First draft ready!
Mindmap
Use a mind mapping tool – I use Bubbl.us to make the outline of a blog in a fun way.
5. Practise
Do some writing exercises to get better at writing. You can find a lot online, but here are some of my favourite ones:
- Choose Your Adventure – Plot Development
- The Word Salad – Writer’s Block
- Establishing The Background – Setting Writing
- But Why? – Character Development
6. Write to a Specific Person
Write about the topic to:
- a mentor
- an idol
- another author
- someone who inspires you
- someone you want to meet someday
You don’t have to send the letter to that someone, but you can write as if you would have. If the topic is something you like, you’ll have a lot to say about that.
7. Change your Workplace
Sometimes, it’s difficult to write where we usually write. A small change once in a while doesn’t hurt anyone.
So get out and write in a different place. A library, a cafe, even on the beach or in a park if you have access to one and you’d like to try it. You’ll feel surprised by the results.
Hopefully, in a good way… 😀
8. Workout
Maybe the reason you can’t write now is that you don’t feel like sitting in one place. You have accumulated a lot of tension because you don’t exercise regularly and you need to move, so your body doesn’t let you sit any longer. Here are some things you can do to feel better:
- Run
- Go for a walk
- Listen to music while jumping around the house like a maniac and sing way off-key
- Go to a gym and workout
- Workout at home
You let off steam doing any of these; some of them more, others less. It’s your choice.
9. Read
If you get some serious writer’s block, go back. Back to why you wanted to write. WHY is a powerful word. Behind it, there’s all the motivation of the world.
So go back and think why you started writing. Read old journals and read some favourite books. You can try reading some new books, too to get a few ideas.
10. Take a Break
Sometimes, the writer’s block isn’t just a writer’s block. It’s burnout. If you’ve worked too much the last few months, maybe this is your body’s way to tell you that you need a break. You better listen to it and take some vacation days. If you can go away for a while, so much the better.
Of course, to reach that point, you need to work a lot. Don’t start to believe that every time you don’t feel lie writing, it’s burn out. This is just laziness.
Final Thoughts
If nothing else doesn’t seem to work, maybe the problem isn’t a writer’s block, but you can’t find something to write about. Sometimes, you need some inspiration. If that’s the issue, then here are some ideas to blog about.
Let me know what you think about my tips and, if you have any questions, I’d be happy to answer! Any suggestions are always welcome, so tell me about topics you’d like me to write.
See you next time!
This is an automatic bookmark for me! Your post here is probably the most helpful thing I’ve read all day.
I like that you included links to some helpful resources on your fifth tip to overcome writer’s block — I’ll be exploring all of that after this.
I also like the idea of going outside with a notebook to write ideas because that’s something I haven’t tried yet.
What I just can’t agree on one hundred percent is the “take a break” part because breaks, to me, last longer than the work needed to complete the task. lol
Anyway, great article, Jenny!
All thess tips about writers block are just very correct. Writing is very easy for someone that doesn’t have full understanding about themselves. It requires a quality focus and practices. It was not very easy when I started writting as a freelancer because it was not my natural gift. I learnt it through practicing and self discipline. Am glad it works best for me. This is a very enlightening tips that worth reflecting on.
Hello Jenny, I’m a business man but my eldest son just got into freelance writing and he gets really anxious when he is about penning down a piece, sometimes he gets really pissed about it.. I feel this is what affects him when he wants to write. I’ll suggest these tips on how to overcome it with him. Thanks for sharing
I’m relieved to know this happens to every great writer at some point, and it’s easy to overcome it, I get stuck many times in the middle of a novel. I lose my muse and don’t feel like writing. I stare at the computer screen most times and no words come to mind. My head feels stuck. It can be frustrating but with these points you’ve outlined I guess I’ll be overcoming this in no time. Thanks alot.
Usually, once I get going then I can keep on going. I think part of that is just saying or writing whatever I think.
If I don’t know what to say then I usually don’t try to force it. I’ll just go for a walk or do something else until the idea comes to me. Or maybe meditate a little or get some rest. I don’t know if that would work for everyone but I know that the idea always comes to me so that works for me.
Thanks!