Four Easy Ways to Combat Writer's Block

Writer’s block, we meet again.

There are plenty of perspectives when it comes to the plague that is writer's block. Some believe that writer's block is a myth while others (myself included) suffer for hours from the judgmental blinking of the cursor.

I'm just here to offer my personal time-tested solutions to this problem.

1. Substitution is your best friend

We're all guilty of getting hung up on the details. Naming characters or places feels like a monumental decision; we want something that feels right. But what if it inspiration doesn’t come right away?

Don’t panic; panicking is the kiss of death for those suffering from writer's block. Instead, substitute the location or character’s name with a random word that you can go back and delete later. I always use the word “DILEMMA.” It reminds me that there’s something I’m missing -- something I need to come back to -- without interrupting the flow of my writing.

When you’re on a roll, the worst thing you can do is become preoccupied with details. Even if it’s as simple as not remembering the right word, just use that placeholder and come back to it later. You’ll thank yourself, and your writing will thank you, too.

2. Invent a problem

In writing, trying to find ways of advancing the plot can feel like hitting a brick wall. It’s a common source of frustration for even the most seasoned of writers, and there are hundreds of techniques to combat this issue. One that always worked for me? Conflict.

Plot is conflict and, without conflict, there is no story. So, what better way to help advance a story than to add problems? Throw in a locked door or a letter of rejection. If your character wants something, take it away from them. 

Identifying conflict will help to drive your story forward and will, in turn, demolish the brick wall.

Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson

3. Take a break

I know, I know. We hear this all the time, but clichés are clichés for a reason. Some advice that my mom always gave me when I was stuck on something was to step away from it for a while: go on a walk, take a bath, listen to some music. Basically, do something that would serve as a distraction.

Psychology Today contributor Meg Selig posted a fantastic article that cited psychology professor Alejandro Lleras’s study on the importance of stepping away: "From a practical standpoint, our research suggests that, when faced with long tasks (such as studying before a final exam or doing your taxes), it is best to impose brief breaks on yourself. Brief mental breaks will actually help you stay focused on your task!"

So it goes for writing. Taking a short break when needed will clear your head, making way for creativity and inspiration.

4. Don’t expect perfection

Really, don’t. 

Expecting perfection right from the get-go isn't realistic. What author has ever written a first (or second, or third) draft and has been completely satisfied by it? Road bumps are common in writing, and maybe you’ll end up with a paragraph that feels awkward or a plot that is leading to nowhere. That’s okay! Editing is our friend.

Author Anne Lamott reminds us, "Very few writers really know what they are doing until they've done it. Nor do they go about their business feeling dewy and thrilled. They do not type a few stiff warm-up sentences and then find themselves bounding along like huskies across the snow."

Without the pressure and expectation of perfect beginnings, we can focus more on the writing and less on the fear of writer's block.

writerswork

Beating the Block

I want to leave you with this advice from best-selling author Jodi Picoult's website: "When you finally start to write something, do not let yourself stop…even when you are convinced it’s the worst garbage ever."

I can tell you, it isn't the worst garbage ever. It probably isn't even garbage. Yes, we all face the challenges that writing presents; we all deal with the frustration and irritation of getting stuck. But we'll never know what we're capable of until we sit down and commit to writing.

Next time you feel the familiar pull of writer's block, I hope you remember this advice and find some good in it. Otherwise, writer's block wins, and we can't have that.