How To Overcome Writer’s Block: 9 Tips I Swear By
How To Beat Writer’s Block
So you want to know how to overcome writer’s block? Wow. That is a great question.
And I am super pumped to share these tips that I use to kick writer’s block to the curb. Or at least make it seem a little less daunting.
Let me start this off with some good news. Something positive and upbeat.
Writer’s block is something you can conquer. Yes, you can slay that beast that is holding those words in your head hostage.
See, don’t you feel better already?!
Ok, let’s dig in and get into the nitty-gritty of this issue.
Tell me if this sounds familiar.
You sit down with every intention to get some serious writing done. After a few minutes, you find yourself staring at the screen trying to will words to appear in front of you.
Or maybe your pointer finger is exhausted from hitting backspace so many dang times. I’ve been there (and will probably be there again).
Just like it is easy to go to town on some chips and dip (where my chips and dip lovers at?), I would say it is fairly easy to hit a wall when trying to write.
I think we have all felt stuck at one time or another. And if you have not then please share your secrets with the rest of us. For real, sharing is caring!
Maybe you can pinpoint what is causing your writer’s block. Or maybe it feels like it came up out of nowhere. Like a massive pimple that was staring back at you this morning in the mirror and you know for a fact was not there when you went to bed last night.
Writer’s block is tough. But we are all tougher. No need to wave the white flag and surrender. NO WAY!
Now, I am not going to tell you that these ideas are literal magic and will rid you of ever having to deal with writer’s block again. I mean, I wish I was a magical fairy who could do something like that but no such luck.
I did give it my best effort. Many birthday candles were blown out while I was wishing as hard as I could to be a magical creature.
But what I am is someone just like you. A human just doing her best.
Someone who spends a lot of time writing. And also someone that has a run-in with some good old writer’s block every now and then.
Here is the real deal point of all this chit chat.
Writer’s block is not the easiest or most pleasant thing to deal with. It is frustrating and annoying. (Just like the pimple I mentioned earlier)
That is where these simple tools come into play.
So before you fall down the rabbit hole of thinking you are a horrible writer and you and writing are just not meant to be… Try one of these small but powerful tips that can help you deal with writer’s block and come out better and more motivated on the other side.
Here Are 9 Tips on How to Overcome Writer’s Block
1) Talk to Yourself
Yep, you read that right. Have a conversation with yourself. Or role play that you are having a conversation with someone else.
Want to know a secret? Of course, you do. We all love secrets.
Sometimes I pretend that I am being interviewed for something. Maybe a podcast about whatever I am trying to write about or maybe I am on a talk show.
Maybe this sounds silly to you. And maybe it is silly. But don’t knock it until you try it.
This almost always gets my writing juices flowing!
There can be so many thoughts and ideas traveling around in that brain of yours. And sometimes opening your mouth to let some stuff out is exactly what you need.
Sort of like when you eat too much and have to unbutton your pants. I know I am not the only one that does this.
I haven’t done it in awhile due to the fact that 2020 did not require me to wear real pants very often but you get the idea.
Talking it out is one of my tried and true methods to turn to when writing is being a pain in the butt.
2) Find Some Inspiration
We have all been at a point where we think our ideas are garbage. I know for me, I often don’t suffer from a lack of ideas or thoughts in my head but I either think those thoughts are crap or I feel paralyzed and unable to even start.
Seek out some inspiration. And not in a bag of chips or a box of candy. Those crunchy sour cream and onion chips make me feel better for about 3 minutes and then I am right back to square one.
Read a book (check these out). Look up inspirational quotes. Listen to a podcast.
My go-to is always books. Must love books would definitely be something I put on a dating profile. I have been married for over a decade though so no dating profile in my future.
3) Grab Paper and Pen
Yep. Go old school.
I actually start out most of my writing with my trusty pen and a notebook. I try to make a sort of outline but sometimes what I end up with is a page full of chicken scratch with random words and half sentences. And maybe a few run-on sentences.
Oh, and at least 3-5 words that I am never able to make out. They literally will look like I became possessed and started scribbling creepy symbols.
Typing on a laptop or computer is so nice. But there is something about pen and paper that just does it for me.
Also, pen and paper make me want to doodle and I am a big fan of doodling and the way it kind of gets me thinking.
4) Get Moving
You know what I do not love to do. Exercise.
You know what makes me feel better every time I do it. You guessed it. Exercise.
If I am really struggling, I will go jump on my elliptical and go as hard as I can for about 20 minutes. I am sweaty and smelly at the end but don’t underestimate the power of a good sweat session.
Don’t think you have to become a sweaty beast. You could also go for a walk or just do some stretching.
I always feel like moving my body shakes something loose.
5) Do Something That Brings You Joy
There is no right or wrong answer here.
Maybe this means brewing a cup of coffee and adding a heavy splash of your favorite creamer.
Maybe this means watching the ending of your favorite movie. Yes, I am a weirdo and love to rewatch movie endings!
This could be a hot bath. Painting your nails. Twerking your heart out to old school hip hop.
Whatever brings you even a few moments of joy, do that!
6) Take a Break
My 7-year-old daughter’s teacher always tells her students to make sure they are taking brain breaks. Pretty great advice, right?
Do not confuse taking a break with quitting. Not the same thing at all.
I am not saying you should give in to that voice in your head that is making a pretty convincing case of why you should just quit.
We all have voices like that. And when that voice is starting to sound like it is yelling at you through a megaphone, that is your cue that it is break time.
If brain breaks work for my 1st grader that is learning to tell time on a clock, they can work for you.
Don’t force yourself to sit there and keep struggling. What is that saying? A watched pot never boils.
I think that applies here. Take a step back. Your work (or empty page) will still be there when you come back.
And you will come back. That is the key to deciding to take a break. Scheduling a time to come back!
7) Why am I Writing This?
Answer this question. I am writing this because…
Really try and finish this sentence.
If nothing else, it gets you writing a little.
8) Give Writer’s Block Less Power
Writer’s block can feel so massive and insurmountable. I know I have felt so weighed down before by it.
But it is something that so many of us deal with (on a regular basis) and it is also something so many of us beat. We all have the power to vanquish that writer’s block monster.
The key is to remind yourself that this is a normal thing to go through and you are not the only one going through it.
I mean, I am right here telling you writer’s block and I are old friends. Or maybe enemies? Frenemies?
The point is you are not alone.
9) WRITE!
Yes, being stuck sucks. Yes, it can feel like writing in general is the enemy.
It can feel like you are being dragged down by some quicksand. How rude, right?
But you will always have to start somewhere. Always. There is no way around this. So try a few (or all) of these tips and just start.
And let me give you a little reminder. Everything you write will not be amazing. Especially not the first time you attempt to write something.
Nothing is written in stone. You can hit edit, delete or backspace all you want.
And just in case you have forgotten, we all have to edit!
Keep these ideas in your writing arsenal. You never know when you will need them again.
I hope these tips on how to overcome writer’s block helped you! And make sure to share any tips you might have.
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