Writer's block is the arch-nemesis of all writers. You can experience multiple problems if you don't know how to get around a clogged thought process. All writers experience writer's block from time to time. However, experienced writers have learned how to overcome the roadblocks in their brains so they can keep the words flowing. If you frequently experience the dreaded writer's block, this article will become your new best friend. We've got everything you need to know about how to defeat writer's block, once and for all.
What is writer's block?
Writer's block occurs when a writer gets stuck for inspiration. No matter what you do, you can't get the words to come out the right way.
Some writers experience such a severe form of writer's block that they abandon their dream of writing altogether. But no one should give up on doing something they love. Everyone will experience problems with their creative process at one point or another. What sets expert writers apart from amateurs is the ability to keep writing no matter how stuck they feel.
How do you get past writer's block?
If you ask an experienced writer what they do when they face writer's block, you'll probably get all sorts of different answers. There are plenty of tricks and tips that can help you get your creative juices flowing when you feel like you're butting your head against a brick wall. With frequent practice and determination, you can learn how to banish writer's block little by little. Eventually, you can defeat writer's block once and for all.
Who needs to beat writer's block?
Anyone can jot down a string of words and say they're a writer. Writing can be therapeutic when you're facing a problem or need to get things off your mind. But to be an exceptional writer, you have to know how to do more than just put words on paper (or your screen). Great writers know how to use their words to weave to carry the reader on a journey.
You could be writing to entertain, or maybe to teach your readers something, such as I am doing for you. When you're writing for the benefit of others, you can become obsessive about what you want to say. No matter what your purpose for writing might be, having writer's block can be stressful. No one wants to find themselves at a loss for words. Especially when the need to write is burning through your veins, demanding release.
Solving writer's block once and for all
As an experienced writer, I never have writer's block anymore. But let me tell you, it took a long time to solve the problem of having the words stuck in my mind, refusing to come out. You're probably wondering what my secret is to conquer my demons. And I'm happy to share it with you so you can too! Throughout my time as a writer, I've gotten tons of advice from other writers who have been in the game longer than me. I've tried and tested every tip and suggestion I've received.
Some of them worked; some of them didn't. So, instead of wasting years trying to test out all the different cures for writer's block, I've put together this guide with steps to take to defeat writer's block, once and for all.
Step 1: Identify the Problem
Before you can solve the issue of writer's block, you must know what is causing the problem. Pay attention to what's going on when you find yourself at a loss for words. There are some common issues that many writers face that causes writer's block, such as:
- Fear
- Distraction
- Perfectionism
- Loss of words
Fear
As a writer, it's common to experience fear and self-doubt. We all question whether we're doing our best to entertain and inform the reader. The key is to ignore your insecurities. Think positive. You have something you want to share with others. It could be your perspective on something already done, or maybe it's a unique idea that no one has done before. If you want to be a writer, you have to stop worrying about whether you're as good as someone else. Everyone has their own style of writing. Your personality will come out in your written word, and that's what will set you apart from everyone else.
Distraction
It can be challenging to focus on writing when a million things are going on around you. Some people need quiet to get their creative juices flowing. Others need some type of background noise. As a mom with four kids, I cannot work when it's quiet. I'm so used to chaos all around me when I work. When you're getting ready to write, make sure nothing is going to pull you from your thoughts. Turn your phone on silent, so you're not bothered by incoming text messages or Facebook alerts. Don't check your email. Avoid doing research or looking something up. Save that for your allotted research time. Focus only on getting the words out of your head and into the real world.
Perfectionism
A common pitfall of many inexperienced writers is that they become so focused on what they want to say that they spend too much time dwelling on the exact phrasing. Writing is a process. No one gets things perfect on their first version. Experienced writers know not to waste time trying to find the ideal way to say something. Instead, they throw out whatever comes to their mind and keep moving to the next idea. The goal of writing is to get what's in your head out. Once you've got everything you want to say finished, then you can go back and make changes. Some writers even refuse to hit the backspace button for typos while they write. I will say I don't go this far because I hate misspelled words. But I won't erase a sentence I've written just because I don't like how it sounds the first time. You shouldn't either. Deal with it later.
Loss of words
Most writers are always writing, even when they aren't doing it physically. New ideas are constantly swirling in our heads, eager to be plucked from your mind and put into the world. But when you finally sit down to get these ideas out, suddenly your mind goes blank. Your fingers freeze, and you just stare at the emptiness, unsure how to fill it. The problem isn't that you have nothing to say. It's that you're trying so hard to figure out the right thing to say that you're becoming overwhelmed. A secret I've learned about how to get past this is not to think. Just relax and let the words come, even if they don't make sense. You can fix everything later. If you're having trouble getting started, a great solution is to free-write. It's like journaling, where you just write down anything that comes to mind, even if it's not relevant to the topic you'll be using.
Step 2: Get in the right mindset
Many writers have a routine to help them get ready for writing. I have to have a cup of coffee, with my favorite show playing on the television. I start my routine by free-writing to get my creative juices flowing. Sometimes, I write emails. Other times, I'll write a journal entry about my goals for the day.
You can even write a grocery list or brainstorm in your mind while you're cleaning the house. I do these as well. Figure out what you can do that makes you eager to write. Maybe you have to set the scene for you to feel inspired to write. You might have to pick the right temperature, the correct lighting, and the appropriate smells and sounds.
Do whatever works for you to get you primed for your writing session. There is no right or wrong answer. But whatever works for you, make sure you do this every time. With repetition, you'll get used to the routine and won't experience writer's block.
Step 3: Write
This idea is going to sound funny, but the best way to cure writer's block is to write. Now you might be thinking I'm crazy. After all, how can you write if you're feeling stuck and don't know what to write?
It's quite easy. I never said that you have to write your whole blog, article, book chapter, or whatever type of writing it is you're hoping to complete. Nope. To cure writer's block, write anything. Get a blank document (paper or computer), and just start writing anything. It could be random facts. Crazy thoughts that are going through your head like "I'm going to die. I can't think of anything to write about." Or a grocery list, your name, birthday, family tree, and facts about you. Or just random words that don't even form a whole sentence.
Why write random stuff?
Once you've gotten your mind to process that you want to get your thoughts out into the world, your thoughts will start merging into cohesive thoughts. Once you feel inspired, turn your ideas to your desired topic, and you're ready to write!
Another excellent and fun option to get past writer's block is to participate in writing prompts, which are short summaries about an idea that someone proposes. Even if it's not what you need to write about, you'll have plenty of extra stuff for your portfolio. Or you could enter these pieces into contests for the chance to win money.
Defeat writer's block with these easy steps
Now that you've finished reading this, you're ready to start your journey towards an unclogged writing process. Remember to follow our three easy steps so you can write anything, any time you feel like it without struggling for words. Congratulations. You now know how to defeat writer's block once and for all.
