10 Wonderful Ways to Overcome Writer’s Block
Writer’s block is the creative slump that authors face when they don’t know what to write. It affects writers in all stages of their career — and if left unchecked, it can impede your writing for days, weeks, or even months, courtesy of real money casinos online.
1 Make Writing a Habit
Some writers may think Tharp’s approach is counterintuitive because they believe creativity is innate and unpredictable. But waiting for inspiration can be a formula for a constant battle with writer’s block. Try approaching writing as a set part of your routine: schedule time to write and write at that time, even if you’re not inspired by your words. Whether your schedule includes writing daily or every weekend, it’s important to stick to it.
2. Talk to a Friend
The worst way to combat insomnia is to stay in bed and think about falling asleep. Fighting writer’s block is similar to fighting insomnia. Staring at a blank page or screen and hoping words appear won’t work. One way to break out of this mental paralysis is to talk to a friend–real or imaginary. As you talk, write down everything you say. Once on paper, that conversation may make a decent first draft.
3. Find Out When You’re Most Creative
To avoid or overcome writer’s block, think about what time of day you find it easiest to be creative. For many people, creative tasks are easiest in the morning when it’s quiet and emails aren’t piling up. Others prefer writing late at night. Plan to write when you’re naturally most creative, whether it’s at 6 AM or 10 PM.
4. Stay Away From Distractions
Distractions can reduce your focus, interrupt your flow, or keep you from starting a project. Minimize distractions when you write. Try unplugging from digital distractions by turning off your smartphone and internet while you write. Remove distractions from your work area by cleaning your desk; a clean desk can improve calm and focus. Use time-blocking to schedule time for writing. Ask co-workers and family members to respect that time the way they’d respect your unavailability in a meeting or a webinar. Schedule chunks of at least three uninterrupted hours for writing, courtesy of best payout online casinos in the us.
5. Work on Another Section
You don’t have to write a piece in the order it will be read. For example, people often struggle with writing introductions. If you’re having a hard time writing a given section, work on another part and come back later. Writing some part of the piece will be more successful overall than staying with an idea that’s not yet ready. Writing out of order might even help you write the perfect introduction at the end, because you’ll have a better idea of how you’ve organized your piece.
6. Move to Another Space
After a while, staying in one physical place can make you feel stuck. Sometimes, a change of scenery can help you continue writing. Moving outside, to a café, or even just to another spot in your office—from chair to couch—might be all you need to break through.
7. Read, Read, Read
Reading can provide inspiration, motivation, catharsis, or escape, all of which make reading an excellent cure for writer’s block. Reading something you enjoy can help you forget about insecurities or troubles that may have been holding you back earlier. You can count on reading to help you get out of your writing funk, no matter what you choose. Many writers turn to the authors they admire for inspiration, to get their creative juices flowing, and to beat writer’s block. Don’t worry: if you start reading, we won’t accuse of you procrastinating.
8. Do Something Other Than Writing
If you feel like you’re stuck, a non-writing activity may prove helpful. If you stop directly and intensely looking at words, you might find the story you want to tell while doing another task. Pick an activity that lets you step away from the written word: watching movies, solving a puzzle, enjoying a meal, or looking at artwork. You can also turn to your hobbies, which help your brain concentrate, work, and finish tasks.
9. Do Household Chores
Your non-writing activity may involve cleaning. Part of the frustration of writer’s block is that you feel unproductive while stuck. The longer you look at your screen trying to force yourself to be productive, the less work you get done. To clear your mind and benefit from a different type of productivity, do household chores. Try washing the dishes, vacuuming, folding laundry, or other household tasks so you can relax and think of new ideas. The clean house might also give you the feeling of a fresh start.
10. Try Freewriting
Freewriting is writing without stopping for a specific amount of time (usually 10 to 20 minutes). Don’t interrupt the process by editing or checking spelling or grammar. Let it flow. The goal is to produce words without judging them (or yourself) while you write. It’s fine if your free-written piece isn’t part of your actual work or ready for public consumption. Freewriting can help you organize ideas or get something stressful off your mind. Find a place where you can focus, gather your writing tools, and get started. Set your time limit. If you’re new to freewriting, start with a 10-minute limit. Once you get the hang of freewriting, try increasing your time limit. Don’t rush to go over 10 minutes, though—enjoy the process.