Writer’s block. It gets the best of us all. One day, you’re staring at a blank page, willing the words to come, and…nothing. You’re left feeling discouraged.
Barbara Kingsolver once said, “Writer’s block is another name for writer’s dread,” and while it can certainly feel that way, I have some encouraging news:
Writer’s block is just a temporary pause in your creative flow. You are not alone; writer’s block is something all writers face. It can be overcome and you can move forward!
In this blog, we’ll look at common causes of writer’s block and share tips to keep writing—even when you feel stuck. Whether you're just starting to write your first book or you’re stuck in the middle of a draft, these strategies will help you push through and get the creativity flowing again.
What is Writer’s Block?
While there is no single definition to encompass the feelings of writer’s block, Wikipedia defines it as when an author is either unable to produce new work or experiences a creative slowdown.
Here’s the thing—writer’s block is personal, and everyone experiences it differently. Some might call it a creative roadblock, artistic barrier, creative impasse, mental block, or a lack of inspiration. Despite the various names, most writers would agree that writer’s block is accompanied by feelings of discouragement and frustration.
The Causes of Writer’s Block
Sometimes, knowing the cause of the effect can be the exact knowledge you need to overcome it. If you’re facing writer’s block, there’s a good chance it’s because of one of these three causes:
Cause 1: “I’m struggling to get started and don’t know which idea to pursue.”
What’s really happening: When writers say this, it’s usually because they’re feeling like their ideas aren’t “good enough” to be published. This fear often leads to hesitation in starting.
Remember: Every idea has potential; you must trust your creative instincts and allow yourself the time to explore an idea without judgment.
Cause 2: “I struggle to stick to the word count and don’t know what to include or exclude.”
What’s really happening: Writers can easily lose focus on keeping the story focused on one plot, resulting in getting sidetracked by subplots or tangents. This struggle to stay concise can be especially confusing and frustrating.
Remember: Clarify your vision by outlining your main story and key ideas first!
Cause 3: “I struggle to get my ideas from my head onto the page.”
What’s really happening: This challenge often comes when writers are trying to edit before writing. This urge to write the perfect sentence on the first try can stifle creativity.
Remember: Embrace the process of writing freely first. Once you have your ideas on the page, you can refine and polish them later.
The Solutions: 8 Writer’s Block Strategies
Breaking through writer’s block often requires a fresh approach. Try incorporating any or all of these eight practices to help you overcome writer’s block:
1. Believe You CAN
Writer’s block is often a mental roadblock so you must be gentle with yourself through this process. However, it’s also important to consistently remind yourself that you can push through this.
Believe that growth comes from facing obstacles.
Instead of feeling discouraged when you hit a slowdown, shift your perspective to a positive one. You have the tools and strategies to continue, but genuinely believing you can is the first step to overcoming.
2. Find a Place to Focus
When you are writing, you are engaged in important work. However, this can be difficult if there’s too much noise around you or if you’re dealing with other distractions. To focus, you need to be able to put your head down and write with no interruptions. My favorite way to do this is to check into a hotel, Airbnb, or any quiet place where it’s just me and my writing—no other obligations!
3. Write a Little Every Day
Writing is like a muscle; the more you use it, the stronger it will be.
Give yourself permission to write freely—even if it’s just one paragraph for your draft or a personal reflection. Perfection isn’t the goal here; what matters is that you are showing up to write. To quote Jodi Picoult, “You can always edit a bad page, but you can’t edit a blank one.”
Make it a habit to write every day. Let go of the concerns around sentence structure, grammar, or spelling, and write without hesitation. Doing this daily can help you avoid procrastination and keep your creative muscles strong.
4. Find Your ‘When & Where'
Your “when and where” you feel most creative does matter. Identify your energy levels when you sit to write: are you attempting to write after a long day at work when your mind is tired when you’d be better poised for it in the early morning hours when you’re most energized?
Perhaps you find inspiration sitting in a cafe, or maybe you prefer the solitude of a cozy nook at home. Either way, experiment with different settings and see what stimulates your creativity and fills you with inspiration.
5. Set Clear Deadlines
Deadlines can be incredibly motivating during the writing process. This time pressure creates a sense of urgency that pushes you to take action or make decisions you might have otherwise hesitated on. View deadlines as an opportunity to commit to your creative goals that feel overwhelming—whether it be outlining your story or completing your first draft.
6. Read More
Great writers are often great readers. If you ever find yourself running out of inspiration and ideas, read more! This isn’t a distraction from writing—it’s a simple way to spark new ideas and see things from a fresh angle. Make reading a regular habit because you never know which story will light up your imagination.
David Burkus once said, “You’re not missing the words; you’re missing the research….If you’re “out” of new ideas it’s probably because you don’t have enough old ideas to combine. Go back and read more.”
7. Remember Your Why
Sometimes, overcoming writer’s block comes down to reconnecting with your purpose. I can still remember when I submitted my first manuscript to an editor. The feedback was very clear: the child needed to be the hero of the story. At first, I was unsure of how to make that happen.
I could have easily become discouraged, but instead, I remembered my “why” and kept asking questions to better understand the scene. “What would a child do in this situation?” or “Is there a good analogy I can use for this?” Reconnecting with my motivation to keep going and think from the child’s point of view led me to a creative breakthrough—and my main character became the hero.
8. Fuel your creativity away from your desk
This might be the simplest method for overcoming writer’s block. If you are feeling stuck with what to write next, it might be time to close the laptop, put down the pen, and take a break.
Do the laundry, grab coffee with a friend, go for a walk, or try something new. Taking a step away from your writing can be what allows you to come back to it with a fresh perspective. Sometimes the best ideas come when you aren’t striving to come up with them.
You Can Overcome Writer’s Block
If nothing else, remember this: it’s a temporary pause. Proclaiming you have ‘writer’s block’ isn’t an excuse to stop—it’s motivation to keep pushing forward. Imagine the day you see your published work and think to yourself, “Wow, I never gave up. I did that. I believed in myself, even when it felt hard. I accomplished my dream.”
Allow me to leave you with these quotes from some bestselling authors:
“The wonderful thing about writing is that there is always a blank page waiting. The terrifying thing about writing is that there is always a blank page waiting.” ― J.K. Rowling
“I don’t sit around waiting for passion to strike me. I keep working steadily, because I believe it is our privilege as humans to keep making things. Most of all, I keep working because I trust that creativity is always trying to find me, even when I have lost sight of it.” ― Elizabeth Gilbert
“Don’t waste time waiting for inspiration. Begin, and inspiration will find you.” — J. Jackson Brown, Jr.
At the end of the day, it is about facing the fear and knowing that your hard work will pay off.
I believe in you.
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FAQs
What are some quick exercises to overcome writer’s block?
To overcome writer’s block, you need to first change your perspective and believe you can break through it. Try free writing for some time—where you write without worrying about grammar or structure. You can even read to help find inspiration.
How do I stay motivated when I’m stuck?
Revisit your purpose for writing—this can often propel you to keep going—and create a distraction-free environment to help you concentrate and write more effectively. Know that progress is progress, no matter how small, because your creative muscles are staying engaged. So, show up to write every day, even if it's just for a few sentences.
How can I prevent writer’s block from happening?
Writer’s block isn’t predictable, but to help you stop it, establish a time and place to write where you feel the most inspired and make it a daily habit. Most importantly, choose to get inspired away from the page. Take a step back to avoid frustration and allow your creativity to be fueled by the world around you.