Writing can be difficult at times, with some writers only able to pound out just a few words after a drought of good ideas. Writer’s block can strike at any time and unfortunately, this happens to every writer. This can discourage many from accomplishing their goals, be it to complete a first draft or even complete a tricky plot-heavy chapter.
I was struggling to write something today and cheekily came up with a guide on how to write when the words aren’t flowing. You can’t stop writer’s block from happening, but you can hack it enough to avoid feeling guilty about it.
What is writer’s block?
Ah, writer’s block… the bane of my existence. Ever sat down to pound out some words but everything you can come up with to write is just pure shit? You may feel like you are stuck on a chapter or even a sentence for hours at a time. Sometimes it’ll feel like your well of ideas and stories has dried up.
Writer’s block is that feeling of wanting to write but not being able to. It may only linger for a moment or for days, but the hard truth is that every writer goes through it eventually. There are many things that can cause this phenomenon and understanding the cause helps us discover a cure.
Writer’s block causes and solutions
There are several factors that can influence your ability to write. It can arise from something as simple as not getting enough sleep or something that’s more complex, like listening to your inner critic too often.
Here are some examples of what I’ve personally experienced throughout my writing career:
Self-doubt: Thinking that your writing sucks
There have been days when I’ve sat at my desk and concluded that my writing is a crime against humanity. I’ve felt insecure about my writing from time to time and felt like nothing I created would ever be good enough. I’m not Hemingway, or Dickens, or one of the writers for some of my favorite video games.
This feeling of doubt and lack of confidence happens to many writers throughout different points of their journey. I’ve spoken with hundreds of writers and every single one of them has felt some form of doubt at one point or another.
The Solution: Just write anyway. Yeah, I know, it’s probably going to be very annoying to hear, but you have to keep writing. Even if it’s dogshit. Even if you despise it. You have to learn to not trust your inner critic every now and then.
Put words on paper, even if you hate them. Some hard news is that EVERY writer will write some garbage one way or another. Being too critical of your first draft is going to hold you back from actually putting words on paper.
Stop editing while you write, which is a hard task of its own. Learn to just write shitty words that you hate and make them 'pretty' later. The more you learn to be okay with writing ‘bad’, the more you’ll be able to handle this mental block if it arises again (and trust me, it will).
Lack of motivation: you want to write, but can’t
Sometimes I have a good idea for a blog post or an idea but I struggle to sit down and actually start writing. You may be able to craft really intricate scenes with great plot developments, but the idea of writing it out seems daunting. Why is that?
There are a few factors that can contribute to this phenomenon. It could be that you haven’t quite developed healthy writing habits. Maybe your desk isn’t quite comfy for writing, or you prefer to handwrite than type a first draft. Whatever it may be, it’s affecting how you view the act of writing.
The Solution: You absolutely need to make a habit out of writing if you enjoy it. This step alone can take many novice writers a long time to achieve, but it boils down to finding out what writing process works for you.
Find a time every day to sit down and write. Even if you can’t write anything good, you need to start developing some mental muscle memory. Take 15-30 minutes out of your day, or less if need be, and block out all distractions and write. It doesn’t matter how many words you pump out, just as long as your brain starts associating that time for writing and only writing.
I personally listen to ambiance like thunderstorms or the crackle of a fireplace. Once you create an ideal environment to write in, you’ll start finding it easier to put words into sentences. Combine that with forcing yourself to write each day and eventually it’ll be easier and easier to slide back into your writing groove.
The hard part is actually doing it, which you’ll get better at with time. Trust the process.
Your mind is blank: You don’t know what to write
I think this is what I personally struggle with the most. It’s not just ‘I don’t know what to write about’ but it's also wondering what topics are worth writing about. Part of the writing process is determining what you actually want to create.
There are many short stories that I’ve tossed out because I thought they were good ideas, but ended up going nowhere. Maybe you don’t even have any ideas at all to write about. There may be days when you would love to sit down and crank out words, but your mind is blank.
The Solution: You may hate me for saying this, but I swear it works. If you can’t find anything to write about, then READ. Yeah, I know, you probably read more than me. But read everything you can. Every writer worth their ink and quill reads anything and everything they can.
I often browse different communities and read the works of other writers of all skill levels. Not only do I get inspiration, it's a boost to my self-esteem when I see other writers with less experience than me unashamed to put themselves out into the world. Don’t read just one author or genre, try something new each day.
Make sure to not spend all day reading instead of actually writing. If you are still struggling to find some inspiration, try to rewrite a scene that another writer has crafted, just to get the gears turning. You never know what might trigger an idea for you to run with, so think about what you could do differently in the works that you dig into.
Writer’s block is a pain to deal with, and it can hold you back from accomplishing your writing goals. While writer’s block is one of many things that can cause you to fall into a rut, there can be other complications that can make your writing life difficult.
Easy solutions for writing hangups
If you’ve tried the above and you are still struggling to get the words flowing, there may be other solutions that you can try out. It’s difficult to self-diagnose what is causing you to slow down or struggle and identifying and reflecting is the first step to figuring out what’s holding you back.
There are hundreds of different things that may cause a blank mind or demotivation when it comes to writing. Some of these hang-ups can be influenced by your writing environment, external stresses like work or school, or even your writing methods are stumping you. The following are some quick-fix solutions that might be all you need to get back in your grove.
Take a walk
When I’m having a rough day and I can’t find inspiration for making a new blog post, I usually resort to taking a walk through my neighborhood. I often work early in the morning, so very few people are out if I need to get out of the office for a moment.
Taking a walk can give you time to sort your thoughts and take in the world around you. Thinking can sometimes be difficult when you spend too much time in your office, especially with the pressure of writing sitting right in front of you in the form of a blank document.
Getting away from your station is a good way to let your mind run free, without the stress of feeling obligated to sit down and just write. When you go for a walk, you can sort plot holes out, people watch to brew some scenes or characters in your head, or hear the sounds and feel the air of the world around you to better inspire a location or a feeling for your novel.
I personally filter my ideas out best when I’m on the go. Sometimes I can brainstorm in the office but many times I find myself latching onto better ideas when I’m out and about. By the time I make it back to my office, my ideas are filtered and much stronger and I feel the itch to write them down after it’s ‘refined’.
Change your environment
Similar to taking a walk, sometimes changing your office location or setup can be all that you need to get back to writing. I change the design of my office every now and then, to keep my space fresh and interesting. Your workspace is just as important as the words you put down.
If your normal writing space is busy, cluttered, or too full of distractions, it could be another snag that’s stumping your writing. Writing is difficult to do if your attention is constantly diverted to external influences. I’ll share some environmental changes and habits that help me.
If I find that I can’t write and I can’t find a reason, I clean my workstation up. Let’s face it, I’m a bit of a slob at times, especially if I’m eating at my desk while I'm five hours deep in a game that I’m reviewing. Cleaning up this mess takes my mind away from it when I have to shift gears and review my notes.
If that’s not helping me, then I move locations to another part of my apartment or I even go outside or to the library to get work done. This is usually a hail-mary but it’s always worked when I’ve tried everything else above. Your miles may vary by changing location, but make sure you don’t spend too much time moving around compared to how much time you are investing into writing.
Bore yourself into writing
This is a method that’s pretty difficult to commit to, but it's extremely effective. There have been times when I’m only able to get words onto paper by shutting off all of my devices, eliminating all sounds in my office, and leaving a single sheet of paper and a pen in front of me.
I then force myself to sit down and do nothing besides write or sit there. It takes a lot of discipline, but I refuse to leave my office until I’ve been there for my allotted writing time for the day. Some days I can’t even fill half a page, and some days I need more paper.
That being said, some of these snippets that I’ve pulled out of thin air eventually became plots or scenes that have developed into a decent-length short story. There will be days when you just can’t write anything at all, and you have to make do with what you have created.
Writing is the easiest and most difficult hobby
Writing can be extremely rewarding and entertaining, yet it can also be the most frustrating and exhausting part of your day. That’s exactly why I’m madly in love with the craft; I love a good challenge.
Tried everything above and it’s not working for you? If you are still struggling with your writing, don’t be afraid to take the day off. Don’t be too hard on yourself, and it’s always okay to give yourself a break if you need it.
I’ll be creating more writing advice posts in the future, with my next one covering the topic of healthy writing habits. If you want to stay up to date with my blog, consider signing up for email updates! It helps my blog out a bunch and you might find the perfect piece of writing advice or your new favorite game recommended.
See you on the next blank page,
~Greysyns