5 Ways to Help Beat Writer’s Block
Author India Hill Brown shares five proven strategies that have helped her overcome writer’s block, whether it’s impacting the start, middle, or end of your writing project.
It happens to the best of us. We sit down to write the story that’s been in our head for weeks, months, or even years, and nothing happens. Maybe we don’t know how to start the story, or perhaps somewhere in the middle of the chapter, we lose the momentum.
Either way, we know this all too well as “writer’s block.” Although it can be a little frustrating, it’s possible to beat! Here’s how I do it.
Log off social media, or better yet, get off your phone, period.
There is just too much room for distraction on these little pocket computers we have. A good-natured check for the weather could turn into a rabbit hole of figuring out what ever happened to the main character of that TV show you loved when you were little.
To beat writer’s block, a lot of the time you need your mind to be quiet to work through the next part of your story. As some of the experts say, you need to feel a little “bored” in order for inspiration to strike.
A lot of the time, we cull the impending feeling of boredom with picking up our phone and mindlessly scrolling, laughing at the latest reel to pop up on our feeds. Take some time and sit with your thoughts, and let boredom strike down that writer’s block.
For me, sometimes I pick up my phone out of habit, so I have to set a timer or even place my phone in a different part of the room to resist the urge to pick it up.
Read a book.
When I’m reading a book that I’m really loving, I get really inspired. I think to myself, “Man, I would love to write something this good.” And then I put the book down and start writing.
Picture someone reading a book you wrote and thinking that it’s so good that they have to put it down and start writing something! It’s a cool thought, and maybe even a bit more inspiration to break out of that writer’s block.
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Do something other than writing.
Do something that gives your mind a chance to focus on something other than writing, but still fun and worth your time, such as a puzzle, painting, knitting, or even going to a party or singing karaoke. For me, I love cooking—I’m focused on something worth my while (food!!) while getting the instant gratification that I don’t get from drafting a novel.
I also love hanging out with friends and family, or going on random misadventures—sometimes, the little conversations you hear, jokes you make, or funny situations I find myself in can give me an idea for my next story or how to move the needle on the one I’m currently working on.
Do you enjoy running? Throwing around a football in your backyard? Baking? Little moments like feeling the sun on your face, smelling freshly baked bread, or laughing so hard that tears fall down your face, are the real-life experiences that will help inspire you to put pen to paper.
Just start.
You may groan reading this one, but nothing beats writer’s block better than just sitting down to write. Set a timer for 25 minutes (I’m a personal fan of the Pomodoro Method) and see what you can come up with.
You might end up scrapping everything you write, but at least you’ve gotten the ball rolling. Or better yet, take out a notebook and journal through it. Sometimes the writer’s block is mental, and journaling can help you get through whatever isn’t making sense to you through your keyboard.
For me, every story starts with a notebook. I have to journal through my thoughts about the plot, characters, and setting before I can even begin to start typing.
Outline.
I usually do an outline before I start, but occasionally I like to start writing and see where it takes me. Sometimes, though, when I do this, I find myself lost in the story, and I need to outline the rest.
The shorthand version of where the story is supposed to go serves as something like a map—I can refer to it when I don’t know what to do next, but I can also change it when I think of something better. Having it helps anchor me. It helps when I just don’t know what to write next—and also with pacing and story structure.
Writer’s block can be part of the process, but it won’t last forever. Give yourself some grace as you write your words and write freely. Take the pressure off of trying to write something perfect—you can always edit later! For now, just take a deep breath, open that notebook or your laptop, and begin.https://www.writersonlineworkshops.com/courses/fearless-writing
India Hill Brown is the author of the NAACP Image Award Nominated middle grade novel The Forgotten Girl, and The Girl in the Lake. She graduated from Claflin University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications and a Concentration in Print Journalism. She lives in Elgin, SC, with her husband and two sons. Rhythm & Muse is her first young adult novel. Visit India online at indiahillbrown.com.
