
No writer ever wants it to happen to them but the truth is that if you are human, writer’s block is inevitable! The good news is that you don’t have to torture yourself by staying within its clutches. willing it to go away or metaphorically banging your head against the wall isn’t necessary- I promise. Back in March I wrote an article about how I find writing inspiration. The practices I mention can be used as back up tools when the dreaded writer’s block strikes. Any writer can attest to the fact that writer’s block is a tortuous predicament. that’s why it helps to step away sometimes and refuse to play ball. Step away? I hear you say. I can assure you I am not mincing my words with this specific solution to a writer’s universal dilemma. Here are my five suggestions for actions to take when writer’s block looms and dims your bright ideas.
Step Away!
When the thinking cogs aren’t working, never force them. Doing so merely adds to the feeling of frustration and helplessness at being unable to move forward. It’s time to step away and reach for inspiration somewhere other than the crevices of your mind.
Go out for a walk and observe the weather and the smells carried by the breeze or the still air. Spot the signs of life as you walk past homes; something as simple as the whiff of laundry detergent or the aromatic spices of a homemade curry could spark an idea and set your writing wheels back into motion.
Have an Experience
Make a marked effort to experience something new: this is the fun part. You can be as adventurous or as in the box as you want. Been meaning to visit a different part of your city or refurbished establishment? A restaurant serving food you’ve never tried? Go! Drink in the sights and flavours, inhale life around you- feel the ambience.
On the contrary it could be something as simple as tasting that new Macchiato fusion you’ve been meaning to try. The flavours could strike a chord and catalyse a new idea- perhaps the sweetness reminds you of an indulgent childhood treat which could lead you to think about the associated emotions…think about what content you could conjure up from that single experience. Testing new waters in any capacity can stimulate new thoughts and thus ideas in the process.
Release Some Endorphins Through Exercise
Endorphins are the ‘happy hormones’ released after aerobic exercise. They lead to the onset of a positive feeling in the body that boosts energy, lifts the mood and can lower symptoms linked to mild depression and anxiety. It can also improve sleep.
Now think about the alleviation of all of these symptoms and the potential they have to hit a variable that could be leading to your writer’s block- Perhaps the stresses of life are clouding your creativity or tiredness is impacting your ability to conjure up or process new ideas. Raising your serotonin levels through exercise could potentially offer improvement in these areas. Even a slight shift in your mood could change your approach towards your craft during a writing session.
Read a Book
What better way to push Writer’s block to the side than to read the work of someone else who successfully beat it? They got through writer’s block and so will you once you give yourself the opportunity to step back, take stock and reup on your ideas.
Make Random Lists
Seriously. The more random, the better. List ideas could be anything from top ten desserts to five of your happiest moments to worst songs to dance to. These ideas might help you strike gold for your next article or scene/chapter outline. You could use the tiniest component from a list to help you develop your next piece of content. Forming multiple lists may help you to strike gold and even if they inspire nothing the first time around, you may go back and find that your next piece of content was staring at you the whole time- from that random list.
What do you do to help lift writer’s block and what action from this list are you going to try the next time it strikes? Let me know in the comments below.
Found this really useful! When I get writers block I get it bad so I’m definitely going to bear these in mind next time it strikes. Thanks for sharing!
Amy | sassycatlady.com
I’m glad you found it useful Amy!
Some great ideas! I’m definitely going to try the random lists one next time I’m stuck!
Thanks Martin! I must say list making is a super productive way to generate ideas.
Nice tips, I’ll have to try these out the next time am stuck
I definitely find that stepping away helps me when I’m struggling. Distracting yourself for a while always gives you a fresh take on things x
Sophie
http://www.glowsteady.co.uk
I’m glad you agree, stepping away and coming back is a must for writer’s block!
Thank you, for this list. I’ve struggled with writer’s block. I usually will step away from the project for a few days and when I return, I can crank the whole thing out. So helpful to do. Raheela
Me too, I always advise people not to grapple with writer’s block- just give it some time and the ideas will flow back to you!
This post is really helpful. I definitely get writers block at time and I never know how to get myself out of it. Will definitely be coming back to this post! X
I’m glad you found it helpful Aaliyah! Come back anytime.
I’m not a fiction writer but I’ve definitely experienced writers block with my blog and all of these points are great. Sometimes not thinking about it AT ALL is the best thing you can do!
Yep, I really advocate not getting into a twist about it and then beating yourself up about it like many of us do! Just step away and give it some time- ideas will flow eventually.
I can relate to those writer’s block moments. Having an experience is one of my best ways to overcome it. You get a new perspective and new ideas can sparkle along the way. You can never go wrong with exercising either. It is good for your body in so many ways! Thanks for sharing all of these tips!
Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me
I’m glad you found it useful Nancy!
Very helpful. Thank so much.
You’re more than welcome! I’m glad it was helpful.
These are great suggestions. I usually just step away, and do something else. It’s frustrating, but I don’t want to force myself to write. Taking a walk outside, reading an inspiring book, trying out something different, and listing down ideas also helps me get into my writing flow again.
Making random lists definitely help me out with writer’s block! I think it’s probably the tip that helps me out the most. Will have to give the rest of these a try next time too!