Smash That Writer’s Block!

1. Understand writer’s block.

Here at HOPE Publishing House, we always start with mindset. Writer’s block is a psychological phenomenon, and it requires a psychological solution: a MindShift. Start by paying attention to the thoughts and beliefs that arise when you’re feeling blocked. Are you telling yourself you’re not a good enough writer? That no one will want to read your story? That you don’t have the time or capacity to write up to your standard today? Self-doubt, fear of failure, and perfectionism are the enemies of creativity. If you can pinpoint the root of your writer’s block, you can choose a new thought. 

2. Take it one step at a time.

Don’t let the tasks you have to do months from now overwhelm you now. I can’t tell you how many aspiring writers I have seen paralyzed by thoughts of finding an expert in manuscript editing and revision, sending query letters to literary agents, and navigating the publishing industry in general. Stop the stress spiral. Close your eyes; breathe. If you’re still drafting your book, you only have one job: write. Just write. As I tell the authors in our 25-step Author’s Coaching Program, don’t worry about Step 10 when you’re on Step 1. One step at a time. Just write.

Short term goals can help with this: break your writing project into bite-sized chunks and set some deadlines for yourself. I have my authors write two pages per day. When they sit down to write, they don’t have to think about anything but their two pages. Publishing tasks? Those are goals for another day.

3. Embrace imperfection.

One of the best things you can do for your book is write badly. Like… truly terribly. Run on sentences, spelling mistakes, thoughts that repeat in circles. Free yourself from your addiction to perfection!

Remember that your first draft is just that, a first draft. It’s probably going to be a hot mess—and that’s okay! Give yourself permission to write badly and trust that you can always revise and improve later. Only have an hour to write? Get as much out of that brain as you can instead of obsessing over perfecting each sentence. Let trust in your editor (or your own future revision) dissolve your writer’s block so you can get back to sharing your story.

4. Create a writing ritual.

If you can’t pinpoint the source of your writer’s block, that’s okay. You can still use techniques to unstick your creativity. My first technique? Train your brain to WANT to write.

The human brain thrives on structure. It craves patterns to predict. So, train it! 

Create a pattern your brain can follow by setting aside a daily or weekly writing time and starting that time with the same ritual. Light a candle, make a fancy cup of tea, make a sacrifice to the writing gods (just kidding!). Whatever you choose, do it consistently to establish a pattern that signals to your brain that it’s time to get down to business.

5. Freewrite.

Sometimes the ideas are there, but you just can’t express them. So practice putting your thoughts to paper.

Choose an amount of time (I like ten minutes), set a timer, and let your brain go wild. Journal about your day, critique the movie you watched last night, describe the way it feels to sit in your writing space–you don’t have to stick to your book’s topic. Warming your brain up to seeing its thoughts and being able to articulate them–we call this metacognition–can open the floodgates and unleash all those brilliant ideas inside. Write like nobody’s reading the page (because they aren’t!), and don’t worry about making sense. If you start thinking about your book, start writing those thoughts instead. Who knows, you might strike gold. Sometimes, the best ideas come from the depths of your subconscious. When the timer goes off, shake it out, open a blank page, and start writing toward today’s topic.

6. Make a mind map.

Having trouble putting sentences together? Forget them!

Grab a pen and some paper and let your thoughts explode over the page however you want! Jot down single words and phrases that you want to expand on in this chapter. Connect ideas with lines and arrows. Circle the concepts that feel most important. Draw! Writer’s block can’t stop you when you’re not trying to write!

Mind mapping is like brainstorming on steroids, and it’s all about making connections and exploring new ideas. Let your imagination express itself, and it can inspire your next topic or chapter.

7. Shake up your space. 

Remember when I said that the brain craves patterns? Well, maybe yours is TOO stuck in a routine. It needs something new to kickstart imagination and creativity.

So shake things up! Get out of your writing cave. Hit up a coffee shop, take a walk in the park, or just move to a different room in your house. A change of scenery can do wonders for your creativity. Who knows, a little adventure may surprise you with inspiration. You never know what connections you’ll make along the way.

8. Move it, move it! 

Get those endorphins pumping and sweat out that writer’s block! Stretch it out, take a jog around the block, do a few jumping jacks. Physical activity increases blood flow to the brain, which can enhance cognitive function–including creativity. This influx of oxygen and nutrients to the brain can help stimulate new ideas and break through mental barriers. So get moving!

9. Talk it out.

If you don’t want to write today, don’t. Grab your phone, start recording, and let loose. Talk through new ideas, stories you want to include, key concepts for your chapter. 

A great place to start is to picture your reader. Who are you writing this book for? Why do they need to read it? How will it help them? Keep that person in mind and talk directly to them. What would you say if they were on the phone?

If talking to yourself isn’t inspiring your writing, grab a friend. Tell them what you want to write about today and see what comes up. Sometimes, all you need is a fresh perspective to break through that mental block.

10. 10.Give yourself a break.

Finally, give yourself a break! Your mind may simply need rest. Don’t force it. Recharge and come back to the page with renewed energy and clarity. 

But more than a literal break from writing, cut yourself some slack, my friend! 

Be kind to yourself during periods of writer’s block. It’s only a problem if you call it a problem. Established authors know that writer’s block is a normal part of the writing process, and it does not define you as a writer. Instead of lamenting your unproductive days, treat yourself with compassion and celebrate the times you were in the flow. Did you meet your writing goal yesterday? Or even write a single killer paragraph? Celebrate those victories, no matter how small. Remember, you’re a bonafide wordsmith with a pen (or keyboard) of steel! You’ve conquered countless writing challenges before, and you’ll conquer this one too. So go forth, and unleash your creative genius upon the world!