12 Ways To Beat Writer’s Block

Sometimes we just get stuck.

Every writer knows the agony of writer’s block. It is a real thing, not some made-up excuse. Writer’s block is frustrating, but there are ways to power through these doldrum moments in the great sea that is writing. These moments of inactivity don’t have to be unproductive. No moment as a writer should be lost to these times of inactivity, as these lulls are often opportunities that lead to great inspiration. To carry on with the metaphor, put the wind back in your sails with these 12 tips for beating writer’s block.

12 Ways To Beat Writer’s Block

1. Get an early start. Our brains are fresher in the morning, and so are the ideas.

2. Go for a walk. Or at least get outside and change your scenery. The fresh air and improved circulation may will help get the ideas flowing.

3. Stay off of social media. Give yourself a set time to look at your social media, but do not look at it during designated writing times. It’s a distraction of rabbit hole proportions.

4. Set reasonable expectations.Setting a goal is an important part of successful writing, but also know that goals should be reasonable, so if you only write for 15 minutes, but they’re 15 good minutes, then that should be checked off as a success.

5. Get a good night’s sleep. A sleepy brain has a harder time getting into the writing process.

6. Brainstorm. Creating a list of bullet points is a great way get ideas onto paper, and gives you a list of things to consider writing about later on.

7. Phone a friend. Get into a conversation with a writing buddy to bounce around ideas.

8. Use visualization techniques. Athletes do this too: see your story, imagine your ideas and let them roll around. You might not be physically in the act of writing, but you are still in the act of creating.

9. Change of scenery. If you normally write in your office, try moving to the kitchen table, the steps outside of your apartment, or on a blanket out in the backyard. This change of scenery will undoubtedly spark some writing motivation.

10. Quit while you’re ahead. When you are in a rhythm, you may want to pause and take a break. Be sure to jot down ideas that are still lingering for a later return. This way you will end a writing session on a positive note, with plenty of ideas left to work with.

11. Seek advice from other great writers. No author becomes great overnight; it takes years of practice and frustration. Find out what your favorite authors do to keep writing.

12. As they say, “Keep calm and write on”. Take a deep breath and try to not let a lag in your writing become a source of personal frustration or determent. Trust your process, know your limits, but continue to create and seek out inspiration.