How to Overcome Writer's Block
Ten Tricks That Actually Work
Hello everyone and welcome or welcome back to the YA Section! Today’s post is going to be on something we’ve all experienced: writer’s block. Whether it’s for a school project or your creative story, writer’s block is frustrating and can make you feel as though you’ve failed as a writer.
Fear not, though, for there are many ways to overcome it. Here are ten techniques to try the next time you feel stuck in your writing.
1. Freewrite
This is a trick I use all the time. In order to freewrite, set a timer for 5 or 10 minutes (or whatever amount of time suits you best). Then write nonstop for that entire time. If you don’t know what to say, write that down. If you’re frustrated because you can’t think of anything to write, write that down. You’re writing, and that’s what matters with this technique. This can often get me out of a rut when I just write my thoughts down for 10 minutes straight.
2. Take a Break
This may seem obvious, but it can really be a game changer. Our brains work best in 90-minute cycles with 20-minute breaks1. This can be incredibly difficult to do, especially for me when I get into a cycle of continuous work. Something I’ve found is that setting a timer for 90 minutes, and then forcing myself to take a break no matter what (even if I don’t make it for the full 20 minutes) has me coming back to my work refreshed and with a clearer mind.
3. Change Your Environment
Oftentimes, when we go to write, we write in the same space. Maybe we have a designated writing studio, or a desk, or even a spot on the couch. However, changing it up can inspire you in new ways, especially when you’re feeling stuck. The most helpful changes for me are the most dramatic. For example, I usually work at my table in our living room. However, I’ve often found that when I go work in a café or a library, the change of scenery stimulates me and leads to me being more productive.
4. Writing Prompts
While it may seem silly, writing prompts can actually help a lot when you're struggling with writers block. Try combining this with freewriting and writing for 10 minutes straight about a prompt you enjoy. This may help you to get the ideas flowing and eventually get unstuck! Some excellent online websites for this are ServiceScape and Squibler.
5. Different Time of Day
Just as changing where you write can help get your brain working again, changing the time of day can do the same. I often write late at night. However, the few times I've tried writing in the morning or afternoon, I’ve found that I write pretty differently than I do at night. Whether this different means good or not, it definitely can help me to think about my projects in a different way.
6. Change the Medium
If you're like me, you prefer to type your work on a computer. However, changing the way you write can actually improve your learning and memory. If you're a typist, maybe try writing some ideas down by hand. Or if you prefer handwriting, try typing up your thoughts. Both ways can help you think about the way you're writing and possibly get you unstuck.
7. Set a Daily Word Count Goal
Writing a specific amount every day can help you get your thoughts out of your brain. While this specific technique hasn't really worked for me, I've heard many stories from friends and published authors who just wrote a specific amount per day. Similarly to freewriting, even if what they wrote was just “I don’t know” over and over, they still persisted and hit that word count. In both the short and long runs, this helped them to do better with their work.
8. Rewriting and Revising
Sometimes, if you can’t get anything new to come, revisiting your old work can help get you going again. Additionally, this can help you to see where your ideas were previously, which in turn can help you remember how to proceed. Revising can also help fill up your daily word count goals or if you’ve decided that you’re going to write for a set time.
9. Write Something Different
If you’re stuck on one project, switching gears for a bit might help you to come back later with a fresh mindset. I find this especially helpful when I have multiple things to work on. For example, I’ll get stuck on an essay for school, so I’ll switch to writing my creative story for a bit. Then, when I eventually come back to my schoolwork, I’ve sort of reset my brain and am more prepared to start again.
10. Read a Book
Reading other author’s work is a great way to get ideas for your own! And even if the books you’re reading don’t inspire you right away, reading is just good for your writing in general. This can also serve as taking a break from your writing and doing something else.
There you have it: a list of 10 simple techniques that can help you get past that pesky writer’s block. The next time you experience writer’s block, consider trying one or more of these tricks! Who knows, they might become your new favorite strategy. And if you have any other tricks that you’d like to share, feel free to let us know by dropping a comment down below!
That’s all I have for you guys today. Until next time!
~Abby
https://hive.com/blog/90-minute-time-blocking/#:~:text=Our%20brain%20takes%20up%20a,a%20roughly%2020%20minute%20break.
Great post! I think I’ll need to try some of these—writing has been hard, lately ;-;