Overcoming Writer’s Block

An empty page, papers wadded up and scattered across the floor, a computer sitting in silence. Do any of these scenarios describe you? Any serious writer if they are honest will tell you that they have suffered with writer’s block. While writer’s block is not a physical illness, it is a very real thing that plagues even the most experienced and prolific writers.

 Students are especially prone to writer's block because often they have little interest in writing the paper they have been assigned. An example would be when an English teacher told our class to write a two-page paper on a bowl of Jell-O. Shock, dismay and unbelief were written across every face in the classroom.  Honestly, I had no confidence that I could complete a paragraph on Jell-O much less two pages! However, after the initial shock I started writing and successfully completed what felt like an impossible project.   

What is Writer’s Block

I describe writer’s block as the experience when the creative spicket is turned off. For me it seems to be either on or off…nothing in between. It is the inability of the writer to compose new material, or move the story line forward, or make the poem interesting while using the right words, tone and inflections. The writer can grow frustrated and angry even to the point of dreading the writing experience and be tempted to quit the process. It is the lack of inspiration needed to pen the words onto paper.  

The clock is ticking, but the words have stopped.

What Causes Writer’s Block?

Lack of inspiration is probably the first and most common answer that you would get from a writer. However, there can be many factors related to writer’s block. Stress, apathy, distractions, physical illness, financial pressure, procrastination or work overload can be factors that lead to writer’s block.

All of these factors can contribute to writer’s block. Amazon sells a mug with the inscription, "Writer's Block: When your imaginary friends stop talking to you." It sounds funny, but there is truth in the phrase. But what is more important than the causes of writer’s block is what you will do to prevent it or overcome the malady.  

Feel free to buy one of these mugs if you think it will alleviate the problem.

Below are some ideas to consider when you get hit with writer’s block. Challenging, yes, but it can also be an open door for a new adventure of discovering fresh ways to write and tips for improvement.  

Overcoming Writer’s Block

1. Read for Inspiration - One of the best ways to overcome writer’s block is to read. Whether your favorite author or someone new, reading is a reliable cure. Reading may serve several purposes. Upon occasion I have found one unfamiliar word to be a “delightful” discovery that led me on a journey to completing an unfinished poem.

When you take in another writer’s words on the page — a writer who has in all likelihood overcome the block as well, at some point — it challenges and motivates you to get the words out. Most writers have what they consider to be their writing heroes…this may be where you want to start when you decide to read for your cure to writer’s block. Writer's Block: How to Overcome Writing Constipation (reedsy.com)

2. Write away your writer's block - Even if you copy words from another source, getting something down on your screen or pad is a useful tool to get rid of blockage. Believe it or not this one is one for your serious consideration. It may serve to resurrect you from the rut in which you find yourself stuck. Some call this automatic writing, keyboard mashing and several other names. 

The first time that I tried this I thought that I would be staring at a blank page, but I actually loved the exercise and used some of the verbiage in a piece that I was working on at the time. It drew me out of that feeling of desperation that can overtake the writer when nothing is working.

The RewriterApp software has a useful 'topic research' feature that allows you to find ideas, information and facts on any topic or subject. It also includes filter options making it very easy to pin-point the exact information you're looking for.

This feature can help with writer’s block and will help you to be better prepared for your writing projects. You can see how the topic research feature works here.

3. Try a different genre - If you want to figure out how to get past writer’s block you may want to switch up your writing genre. If you are a poet, try writing a short story, if a screenwriter, write a short story or essay. If you’re a novelist, write a poem.

It’s almost as like taking a vacation from your usual writing style and vocation to explore a new voice.  It is a new way to interpret the world, and can lead you to some new venues that you may find out you enjoy. Writer’s block shuts the door, but a different genre may open a new one.

4. Try cleaning your house or something that is your “go-to” hobby or chore. What do I mean by a “go-to” hobby or chore? Whatever it is that you can do to achieve a sense of accomplishment. Obviously, writer’s block is the opposite of that, but when we find ourselves in that space, we need to figure out how to breakthrough the barrier. This will be different for different people.

For me personally cleaning is something that I am confident that I can have success at, and it gives me a sense of order and peace even in the midst of chaos or the deep valleys of life. However, if clutter works for you, by all means, keep it messy. But you may want to shift your clutter around. Many writers state that the goal is to overcome unproductivity, and cleaning or rearranging the clutter is a go-to cure.

5. Make a writing schedule. This may prove to be one of the best decisions that you will ever make. It was for me. Several years ago, I set aside Friday for my writing day. Everyone in my circle knows that Friday is my writing day so they try not to call, text or ask me to do anything.

I have found it to be something that motivates me to get writing projects finished. However, as a word of warning, you will have to guard this time and be very diligent to keep it otherwise you will get pulled in a hundred different directions.  

Take a look at the link to get other ideas in overcoming writer’s block. How to Cure Writer’s Block: 23 Proven Ideas that Actually Work (studiobinder.com)

 Finally, the most important tip…do not give up on your writing. Keep trying, keep writing, keep improving. There is a story, a book, a poem or a song that only YOU can write.