Journal logo

Getting Over Writer’s Block

5 Steps to Overcome Writer's Block

By Mack DevlinPublished 3 years ago 3 min read
1
Getting Over Writer’s Block
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Every writer, whether they admit it or not, deals with some level of writer’s block, from fledgling authors to seasoned professionals. Writer’s block can be a source of extreme angst, especially when you have a deadline.

If you can sit down and write with no obstacles, fantastic, but for the rest of us, we have to overcome the psychological blocks that keep us from pushing on. So how do we do this?

5 STEPS TO OVERCOME WRITER'S BLOCK

1. READ SOMETHING – If you are a writer and are not reading, then you really should be. Not only does reading help you improve your craft, but it can provide the impetus for pushing through writer’s block. The reason we write is because we love stories and storytelling, so it makes perfect sense that reading can provide us with the inspiration to get over our writer’s block.

2. SCHEDULE WRITING TIME – Some of us writers simply get so busy that we forget to write because we have not set aside a scheduled block of time for writing. It does not matter how much time you allot for these writing blocks – whether five minutes or five hours. The point is that you are writing and developing a routine. If you develop a solid routine, then writer’s block is less likely to strike.

3. GO FOR A WALK – Some of the greatest writers in history, such as Emerson, Thoreau, Whitman, have taken inspiration from the natural world, so if you can get out in nature then you too will find that it provides a wealth of inspiration. If you live in a major city and can’t enjoy all the splendors of nature, then take a walk around the block. You never know when you will encounter a person or situation that will light up the idea centers of your brain. When you step away from your work to go for a walk, you are also giving yourself time to breath and providing blood flow to the brain, allowing those ever-important neurons to fire.

4. WORK ON SOMETHING ELSE – You’re having trouble writing, so it seems counterintuitive that you would solve your writer’s block by writing. Yet when you move away from your current project and start to work on something else, you’re going to come back to what you were working on with fresh eyes. If you’re writing a novel, for instance, you can easily find yourself burned out on that particular narrative, so if you step aside and work on a short story or even a journal entry, you are giving yourself a break while still flexing those writing muscles.

5. KEEP A JOURNAL – Keeping a journal is not only beneficial for developing ideas and stretching those writing muscles, it can also be beneficial to your mental health. Getting your thoughts down on paper can keep them from swirling around in your head. This is important because writer’s block can be triggered by self-defeating, obsessive, or simply random unrelated thoughts, making it harder for us to focus on the task at hand. Journaling will also help you nail down ideas that you cannot grasp when they’re still in your mind.

Recommended Resources

The Writer’s Block by Jason Rekulak – This invaluable little book from the author of The Impossible Fortress provides writers with prompts to help jump start their imaginations. The prompts come in the form of photos, single words, and writing exercises. If you are stuck looking for something to write about, just open up to any page and you’re guaranteed to find a prompt to help jump start the creative process.

Reading Between the Lines by Chaundra Scott – Believe it or not, even journaling can be difficult for some writers. This guided journal provides writers with the tools to kick-start their daily journaling process.

how to
1

About the Creator

Mack Devlin

Writer, educator, and follower of Christ. Passionate about social justice. Living with a disability has taught me that knowledge is strength.

We are curators of emotions, explorers of the human psyche, and custodians of the narrative.

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.