How Do You Overcome Writer's Block?

A woman with writer's block. Photo from Wix.

Writer's Block is a controversial topic. Some are debilitated by it, others say it doesn't exist.

I sit in the middle. I think it does exist and you can absolutely work through it.

First, we must understand it.

Just like with any activity, if you do it for too long you'll get fatigued. If you run, you go for a certain amount of time and then you catch your breath. Runners Block. You may not want to run the next day. Extended Runners Block. Or... Recovery Time.

When you read a book, you'll put it down eventually. Maybe you finish it, maybe you need to go to sleep, maybe you feel like doing something else. Reader's Block.

When you write, you can do so for a certain amount of time but it takes a lot of energy. A lot of brain power goes into creating something from thin air. Maybe you run out of ideas, maybe you're exhausted, maybe you're not cut out for this. Writer's Block.

For some reason, writers always have a lot of self doubt creep in when they get stuck. Possibly because we don't have anyone pushing us and telling us we have to. Possibly because we're an emotional bunch. Possibly because writing is exhausting.

Each person is different. The reason for writer's block will be different for everyone. Sometimes we need a break, sometimes we need to push oursleves. Let's explore what we can do when Writer's Block occurs.

1) Re-read what you've already written. Have you written anything? If you're just starting, write anything on the page - it doesn't have to make sense. Once you've written something, re-read it to see if it inspires you.

2) Write nonsense. If you've re-read your work and nothing inspires creativity, write nonsense. This draft is just for you (for now), so it doesn't have to make sense. Not even to you. Write about your weekend; how you can't write; what your dreams are. Write to get words on the page.

3) Take a break. Have a nap. Eat something. Get some fresh air. Do some excercise. Get your mind to focus on something other than writing. You might just be tired of the activity. Rest is the best way to recover.

4) Set a timer. Set yourself a timer for 60s, or 90s, or 250s and write until the timer stops. When it stops that's you done for the day and you can no longer write until tomorrow. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

5) Write one word and stop. Just one. Now go watch tv.

6) Set up a routine. This is for next time. Wake up, make a coffee, write for 30mins, check stats and social media and whatever else writers do, then go to work.

7) Give yourself a week off. If nothing is working and you are trying your hardest. Give yourself a week off. No writing, even if you want to. Only do things you enjoy and give yourself a holiday. You deserve it.

I once gave myself a three year break. I only wrote when I felt like it, and that wasn't often. Before that I was writing everyday, trying to sell my scripts and novels, starting blogs but getting nowhere. I felt like I was trying to walk up a very loose sanddune. So I stopped. I jumped off that sanddune and focussed on other things. I travelled, I surfed, I went to work and hung out with friends. Not once did I consider writing during this time.

Then one day I decided to try again.

I hadn't realised all the writing I had been doing. All the emails I'd written, the texts I'd been composing, flyers and invitations I had created. All the books I had read and absorbed.

When I finally started writing again, I went into blogging and then I tried freelancing and then I went into self-publishing. Within a year my blog had reached over 1K followers. Within 2years I had sold two travel guides and written multiple blog posts as a freelancer for multiple clients. Within 3years I had self published a book which was sent to a bookclub and a bookstore within one month of it's release. I'm now working on my 2nd novel and still thriving.

Taking a break is worth it.

And you can overcome writers block with the above techniques and work through any tough moment in your writing career.