Dealing With Writer’s Block

Writer’s block is a common issue amongst writers of all genres. Fiction or nonfiction, fantasy or realistic, the creative loss can be annoying. It’s even worse when you’ve barely started on something and still need to get it out soon. However, it doesn’t mean you’re doomed to lose your creative spark forever. This article will cover different methods to overcome this blockage.

1: Consume Media

It’s often said that good authors read books. Quality filmmakers and actors watch movies. Great musicians listen to music. So reading/watching the genre of your choice can help you in boosting your creativity. You might even gain some new ideas for your story/piece!

The genre doesn’t have to match with whatever your actual writing will target. Many writers draw inspiration from different genres - even if their work still fits primarily in one only. Some even mix genres together to make a new one.

The Marvel superhero franchise mixes fantasy and science fiction, in addition to being mainly in the superhero genre. Harry Potter* revived the boarding school stories of old and combined the genre with fantasy. The bottom line is that you don’t just have to read or watch the same category of media to get inspired.

2: Create A Due Date

The deadline set by your publisher or boss may not be enough to encourage you. In this case, set a due date of your own that’s earlier. Trying to meet deadlines can be a powerful motivator to get something done. Just don’t rush your work either.

If setting a due date for you by yourself doesn’t succeed, try asking a colleague to reward you if you complete your writing on a set timeline. This way, you’ll have fewer opportunities to change your mind and procrastinate. You’ll also have a tangible award to motivate you.

3: Freewriting

Freewriting is the practice of writing off the top of one’s mind without worrying about formatting. It can be a great way to help one think outside of the box and get your creative juices flowing.

Get a pen/pencil and paper, or a keyboard and screen, and start writing whatever thoughts come up. You may find some great ideas hidden in the finished work. Or you might not. If you don’t, at least you know what doesn’t work.

Some writers are visual learners. A few are also artists. If either case applies to you, free drawing/painting/crafting could be of use.

4: Take A Break

Sometimes, taking a break is really one of the best things you can do to be able to start writing again. Do some cleaning. Go to the gym and work out. Socialize with friends. Whatever you do in your free time, enjoy it.

Yes, many writers do make a career off writing about their suffering or the suffering of their characters’ inspired by their own. However, oftentimes stress is really just a pain that creates a creative blockage at its peak. Mundane, everyday tasks may help to alleviate this.

5: Ask For Help

Asking for help really isn’t a bad thing - within limits, that is.

This article assumes you are making a piece or story of your own creation. Don’t ask your buddy to worldbuild or do your research for you. Or worst yet, write your material for you. Ghostwriting is a thing, but few people do things like that with no benefit in return.

If you’re somehow lucky enough to find a ghostwriter who will do your work for absolutely nothing and no credit, then congrats! You’re less of a writer and more of a name that makes money off other people’s work. Pretty shamelessly too, considering the tight deadlines and frequent low pay the industry operates under.

What you can do is ask a peer what broader ideas they might like. Maybe if they’d like a plot point you’ve loosely formed in your head or not. Just don’t make them do your writing job for you.

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The bottom line is that writer’s block is not the end of the world. So don’t give up just yet!

Any other suggestions for overcoming writer’s block? Let me know in the comments!

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