When the Words Won't Come

Every writer has had that day when all they manage to do is sit in front of a blank page, wracking their brain for the words that just won't make themselves know enough to be put down onto the page. 

Writer's block can be frustrating, but it's also a natural part of the writing process that even the best writers can face on a bad day. The good news? You can overcome it! Here are a few ways to push past that mental block you're facing and get back to your story. 

Change Your Scenery 

Now you can take this one of two ways - you can physically get up on your feet and take your writing equipment with you to some other spot to write such as a coffee shop, a different room in your house, or a park for a bit of fresh air. Or - you can drop your characters somewhere new. Have them explore somewhere new and see if anything comes from it. 

Try A Writing Prompt 

It's possible all your brain needs is a little inspiration jumpstart. Have your search engine of choice supply you with a list of writing prompts and get to writing. 

(or if you really want a challenge try https://callofwriting.com/) 

Whatever you write doesn't have to relate to your current project, the idea is just to get something down on the page and get you thinking and writing instead of stressing out and having the blinking cursor mock you. 

If you're not looking to write about something random and are hard set on working on your story try writing a backstory for a minor character, write a memory of your main character from a time before your novel takes place, or write your scene from the perspective of a different character. 

Step Away 

Sitting at your desk and stressing away about not being able to write isn't going to lead to a productive writing session, so if you've begun to pull your hair out it's time to step away. 

Inspiration for writing is found all over the place, from our favorite books to TV shows and the world outside. Take a few hours or even the day off from writing and explore the world around you, or just take some time to relax before coming back to the page refreshed and ready to try again. 

Talk It Out 

My partner is a wonderful sounding board when I find myself stuck on a project -not because he offers me a solution for whatever has me stuck, but because, usually, when I talk it out with him, the solution just pops into my head, and I can return to my writing. 

If you don't have someone you can talk about your story with simply try talking it out loud to yourself or writing down the sequence of events in order from what you've already written to where you need to go and see if seeing it visualized in front of you will help you connect the dots. 

Outline 

I save this one for last because there's always a 50/50 shot that you would have clicked away if it was the first thing I suggested to you. (you may have already done so and now you'll never read this.) 

If you're stuck in your story and you can go no further, chances are you don't have a roadmap (outline) of your novel telling you where to go next.

While the whole matter of pantsing vs outlining is a matter of opinion - it's indisputable that if you're stuck sitting down for an hour and jotting down everything you know about your story up to and including where you left off, you'll more than likely find out where you need to go next. 

Give it a try. What's the worst that happens? You do something a little more productive than staring at your screen and watching the cursor blink back at you? 

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Writer's block is a temporary hurdle, not a permanent roadblock. It's possible to work through whatever is keeping you from finding your words as long as you don't get too worked up about it it'll all be okay. 

Best of luck finding your story. 

With love, 

B - xo xo

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This story was originally posted on Medium.

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