4 Ways To Overcome Writer’s Block

By Jessica Greyson

Facing writers block can be one of the most difficult things that you face as a writer. It can creep up on us, or blindside us like a brick wall. But no matter how it comes upon you, it leaves you feeling like you’re stranded on a deserted island with only a pile of driftwood to make your escape, so here are some tips and tricks to build a successful escape back into the writing world.

Ask Questions

Take a moment to step back from your writing; maybe go back to the roots of what inspired you to start this project in the first place. Sometimes rekindling the first steps of the “romance” with this story will bring that passion for writing back and you’ll go back to your writing feeling renewed.

Ask questions about the scene you are writing.

• Is it moving the story forward?
• Does it need to be in there for the story to move forward, or is it a filler scene?
• Are you enjoying this scene? If you aren’t enjoying it, your reader probably won’t either.
• Is it from the right POV? Could this possibly better through a different set of eyes? Consider who has the most to lose or gain in the scene. If there isn’t much to lose or gain, your character isn’t going to be as invested, which affects the writer and which will eventually affect your reader.
• Why? Sometimes those three little letters can be very effective.
• Interview your character. Taking time out to really deeply analyze your character at this moment can sometimes bring out details you weren’t picking up before.

Change

Does it feel like you have been writing the same thing forever? Maybe it’s time to break out of the mold by taking a break. Go for a walk, turn on some music, read a book, do something productive like cleaning or cooking, use a different art medium such as painting, beading—even breaking out those coloring books with a younger sibling! Or let your imagination regenerate itself by daydreaming.

Turn on some music—or if you’ve been listening to music turn it off, or change genres. Music is powerful and affects mind and emotions; sometimes it has too much sway while we are writing and a change can be refreshing and allow things to flow organically.

Pick a random writing prompt, and write! The internet is full of writing prompts, (make sure you pick a safe or filtered source). However it doesn’t even have to be a writing prompt “manufactured” by the internet, it can be a picture, or the first line of a song. Just change what you are writing for a little bit to refresh your writing palate, mix in some new colors and bring life to your writing with something different.

Put it on the shelf.  This sounds like scary advice but sometimes you, and the story, needs a break. Putting it on the shelf doesn’t mean it won’t get written; maybe it just needs to steep like your favorite cup of tea. Allowing it to sit will bring out the flavors, and many things grow better with age.

Face Your Fears

Delete. Don’t be afraid of deleting things. That backspace key can be your friend; we all write things that don’t work out. I always save it at the bottom of the document or someplace else because it’s still good and you never know when it might come in handy. I have a 400 page word document on my computer which I use when I have writer’s block, it’s full of failure scenes (some of which I’ve repurposed for other books) and random prompt writing that doesn’t belong anywhere else, but I thought was too precious to lose.

Write. Face that beast, and like most bullies, if you tell it that, it doesn’t scare you and doesn’t exist...it will go away. It will take some courage, to face that blinking little cursor that is screaming that you don’t have any words, and maybe the words won’t be perfect, but you do have words; just use them. It doesn’t have to be perfect, just write: you can edit later. Just sitting down and pushing forward makes you a stronger writer, and stronger person. You are undefeated. You vs. Writer’s block...you win.

Pray

God is a master mind at storytelling, He is the Author and finisher of our faith; a mere brief glance at your Bible and through the pages of history will tell you of His master works and impeccable writing. There is no better source than the Devine Author to ask for help and inspiration when you meet up with writers block.

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. Jerimiah 33:3 KJV