Ever find yourself staring at a blank screen, like it’s some sort of cosmic black hole sucking away every ounce of your creativity? Yeah, been there. Writer’s block can be frustrating, but you’re not alone! In this article, we’ll take a look at symptoms and cures for writer’s block, including practical strategies to keep your ideas flowing.
With a sprinkle of know-how and a few handy tips, you’ll be back to spinning captivating tales in no time.
What is Writer’s Block?
While you might not be able to pinpoint the exact moment it arrives, writer’s block can feel like an irritating guest that long overstays their welcome. It’s that frustrating experience when you sit down to write but your mind seems to go blank… and there’s no way back in sight.
What’s supposed to happen next? What would my character do right now? Am I going off on a tangent that’s going to ruin the rest of the book? Where do I even start with this chapter?
Thoughts scramble, ideas get tangled, and no matter how hard you try, the words refuse to flow. It can happen to anyone at any stage of the writing process, leaving you feeling unproductive, overwhelmed, and thoroughly annoyed (to put it lightly).
Understanding writer’s block is the first step toward beating it. It’s not just about a lack of inspiration; often, it stems from deeper feelings of self-doubt, fear of judgment, or even perfectionism. When you know what might be weighing on your creativity, you can start to address those issues.
Why Does Writer’s Block Happen?
Creative writing can feel like a rollercoaster: exhilarating, addictive… and packed with ups and downs. Knowing what’s throwing a wrench in your creative process can help you leave writer’s block at the door more often than you let it in. Figure out what holds you back, and you can take proactive steps to overcome these challenges and get back to what you love.
Here are a few of the primary causes we’ve seen at the root of writer’s block, across all stages of the writing process:
Fear of Failure
One of the most significant hurdles you might face is the fear of failure. This fear can manifest in various ways, such as worrying about how your work will be received or doubting your abilities as a writer. The pressure to produce something remarkable can be overwhelming, making it difficult to even put pen to paper. When the prospect of inadequacy looms over you, it can freeze your creativity and stifle your motivation.
The Perfectionist’s Trap
Perfectionism is a double-edged sword. While having high standards can drive you to improve your craft, it can also paralyze you with the need to get every word, sentence, or idea just right. This constant quest for flawlessness can lead to relentless self-criticism, causing you to second-guess your decisions and become stuck in a cycle of editing, chopping and changing your work rather than creating and moving forward.
Also, perfectionism can make it tempting to procrastinate, as you might find yourself waiting for that perfect moment, that perfect idea, to arrive. The result is a constant state of dissatisfaction, where you might feel that what you create is simply never good enough.
Winging It Too Hard
Another core cause of writer’s block is simply not understanding your characters, or the book’s true story, enough. This is a common area where writers struggle, especially if you fall into the pantser category.
When you haven’t quite settled into the proper headspace of your leading character(s), it can be incredibly difficult to figure out how they might react, authentically, to a given situation or challenge. Push them along too tight a track and the story might start to feel contrived—a problem that will stand out to you and begin to extend a beckoning finger to writer’s block.
Stress and Anxiety
Stress and anxiety are silent thieves of creativity. Whether it’s due to personal circumstances, work pressures, deadlines, or financial worries, these feelings can easily seep into your writing life. When your mind is preoccupied with these stressors, it becomes increasingly difficult to tap into your creative reservoir. It’s important to acknowledge these feelings and address them head-on, rather than letting them linger and affect your work.
Distractions and Environment
Phones buzzing, the TV blaring, roommates chatting, children crashing head-first into anything and everything…
Unless you’ve attained the peak of Zen mastery, your environment can greatly impact your ability to concentrate and produce quality work. If you’re trying to write at home but are interrupted constantly by noise or clutter, you may find your thoughts wandering instead of flowing onto the page. Even small distractions can pull you out of the zone.
Strategies to Overcome Writer’s Block
Writer’s block is a stubborn enemy, but it’s far from invincible. Here are some battle-tested strategies for getting back in the groove:
Setting Realistic Goals
Any time you feel overwhelmed, it’s helpful to evaluate the goals you’ve set for yourself. Instead of aiming for perfection in your sentence style, or a massive daily word count, consider pulling back a bit and simplifying your objectives. For instance, if you’re working on a novel, instead of aiming for something gargantuan like finishing the entire manuscript in a week, try focusing on completing just one chapter or even a few paragraphs per day.
Set reasonable daily or weekly targets for word counts or specific sections of your project, so your workflow is more structured and less intimidating. Break down your writing tasks into manageable chunks and the process becomes far less daunting. When you focus on accomplishing small objectives, you can build your confidence over time and gradually ramp up the expectations you place upon yourself.
Some authors, like you can see in our discussion with RL Stine and JD Barker right here, stick rigidly to a manageable daily word goal and write only that number each day—downing tools and stepping away once the quota is met, without exception. Inside the AutoCrit platform, you can set and track your own goals, too, with accountability and productivity tools right at hand.
Part of setting realistic goals also means detaching yourself somewhat from the outcome early on. Yes, as writers we want to produce the best work we can, treat readers to a great experience, and maybe (just maybe) enjoy the thrill of winning an award or two… but don’t let perfectionism get in the way of progress. Embrace the mess and give yourself permission to write that “meh” draft. You can polish it up later!
And if, in the end, reviews are less than kind despite your best efforts, just remember that even the greatest among us have had their fair share of flops.
“I deal with writer’s block by lowering my expectations. I think the trouble starts when you sit down to write and imagine that you will achieve something magical and magnificent—and when you don’t, panic sets in. The solution is never to sit down and imagine that you will achieve something magical and magnificent. I write a little bit, almost every day, and if it results in two or three or (on a good day) four good paragraphs, I consider myself a lucky man. Never try to be the hare. All hail the tortoise.”
– Malcolm Gladwell
Letting Loose with Free Writing
Feeling stuck? Try free writing! Instead of sitting around waiting for inspiration, you can tap into your spontaneous creativity. Set a timer for 10 to 15 minutes and write anything that comes to your mind, without worrying about grammar, punctuation, or coherence. This practice not only warms up your brain but also helps you discover new ideas, perspectives, or plot points that you might not have considered before.
There are no wrong answers or judgments involved; it’s all about letting your thoughts (or the thoughts of your character in a certain situation) flow. This can help alleviate the fear of the blank page and can even lead to unexpected inspiration. So, the next time you find yourself staring at a cursor on an empty screen, try kicking off a quick free writing session to shake off those cobwebs.
“Writing about a writer’s block is better than not writing at all.”
– Charles Bukowski, The Last Night of the Earth Poems
Building a Supportive Writing Schedule
Build a writing schedule/routine that supports your creative spark. It’s easier said than done, so you might have to test how you manage at different times of day or night, but once you’ve discovered your peak writing time, treat it like a sacred ritual.
Whether you’re a morning person or a night owl, aim to dedicate specific blocks of time during those periods when you’re firing on all cylinders. Consistency is key, so try to prioritize these sessions and avoid distractions.
Shut that door. Hang a sign. Reward family members for respecting your writing time, so you condition them to stay away when you’re deep in the weeds.
Maintaining Your Personal “Writer Block”
Turn your writing space into your own efficient “writer block,” free from clutter and distractions. Writers often struggle with getting words on paper when all around them, there are piles of loose pages, incoming messages, unfettered internet access (hey, I’m just going to do some research for a while…) and any number of things with which to fidget and procrastinate.
This is why AutoCrit incorporates everything you need for your project inside integrated notes and planning boards: to eliminate distractions, so you aren’t made anxious or tempted by stacks of research papers, notes, character profiles and everything else on your table. Cultivate a reliable space that inspires, rather than detracts from, your writing.
Whether it’s your private office/room, a quiet nook somewhere, or a comfy café, having a physical and mental boundary within which to enter “writing mode” is the perfect way to signal to yourself that it’s time to focus. Consider noise-canceling headphones—or play some of your personal favorite ambient music—to block out intrusion if you have trouble writing in public but it’s the only option you have.
Seeking Feedback and Encouragement
Surrounding yourself with supportive individuals who uplift and inspire you can be transformative. Engaging with fellow writers, friends, or family can help you share your challenges and triumphs while gaining fresh perspectives on your work. Don’t hesitate to reach out for feedback, as constructive criticism can be a source of motivation and can spark new ideas. Consider joining a writing group or an online writing community where you can exchange thoughts with others packing the same passion.
Constructive criticism not only helps to refine your work but can also boost your confidence. Share your triumphs and setbacks with others, create a supportive network, and make it a point to celebrate the small wins together. It can take time to find (or build) the right group of people, but once you do, your shared experiences and camaraderie will foster a nurturing environment where everyone’s creativity can breathe freely.
Being Kind to Yourself
Speaking of breathing… be kind to yourself. Step outside, breathe in some fresh air, and remember: creativity is a result of a free mind. Leave the phone (including internet access) behind, throw your anxiety about writing to the wind, and just let yourself exist out there for a while.
Try some people-watching (always great for spontaneous story ideas), relax and observe the movements and habits of nature around you, and see what happens. When you’re stuck at your desk in the throes of writer’s block, non-productive comments running through your head like wildfire, it’s time to detach, step away, and try replacing them with productive, inspiring thoughts instead.
Everyone is different, though, so you may have an alternative preferred method of detachment. Maybe it’s regular exercise, meditation, or something else. The point is to free your active mind from the work for a while. Don’t worry—your subconscious will continue noodling for that breakthrough while you take a well-earned breather.
Life After Writer’s Block
Now, there’s good news and bad news.
The bad news is there doesn’t seem to be any guaranteed cure for writer’s block. It can hit any of us at any time, from the humble hobbyist to the most experienced Oxford University writing tutor.
The good news, however, is that you can mitigate the chances of its return. Even when you’ve overcome writer’s block, you still need to keep that creative fire burning. Try new hobbies, explore different genres, and let your imagination roam. The more you feed your creativity, the easier it will be to bounce back if the block ever comes back. Keep your mind open to fresh perspectives and ideas that can transition back into your writing.
Set aside time each day specifically for brainstorming or free writing, without the pressure of producing perfect content. If the struggle with writing your work-in-progress is getting on top of you, there’s no shame in pivoting away for a day just to flex those muscles a little and get your creative juices flowing. It all counts.
Ultimately, remember: writer’s block is just a bump in the road. With a bit of patience, a healthy sense of humor, and an awareness of common causes, you can keep it safely at arm’s length throughout all parts of the writing process.
You’ve got this. Now go and write!
