We’ve all had it. You know what I’m talking about. That blank page. Or maybe it’s half-full with a few paragraphs from a previous day where you felt like a writer and now you have to finish that chapter somehow but can’t think of any words that don’t sound ridiculous.
So you could spend the next few minutes or hours or days just looking at it and struggling to find any words or you could do something different.
If the words aren’t coming now, something needs to change.
Yes, your bout of writer’s block might magically fix itself in a burst of inspiration. But I’ve found that doing something different is often the quickest way to cut through writer’s block.
1. Go outside and look at green stuff (yes you)
Okay, so I’m bad at this. I’m a hermit. I like being inside. It’s my safe place.
But I have to admit that those people who annoy me by saying “go outside, you’ll feel better” are right.
Yes, even for you.
Going outside might be a big deal if you’re a hermit with depression or you just hate daylight. But if you can step outside into some place that has greenery, you’ll thank yourself for it.
Try parks, spying on other people’s gardens, nature trails, a small patch of grass and a tree next to a road, anything is better than nothing.
I have a garden, it’s not the best but I know I’m lucky to have a space I can go out everyday.
I highly recommend getting into gardening. Embrace your granny era by getting obsessed with plants.
Never in my life did I think this would be my thing but there’s just something uniquely satisfying about sowing a little seed, looking after it for a bit, planting it out and getting some vegetables at the end.
If you can do this, I promise it’ll be good for your mental health. Plus, if you grow some veg, you’ll be forced to eat better which we all need to do.
2. Read outside your go-to genre
We can sometimes get caught in a cycle of reading the same genre, especially if we’re writing in that same one. But it’s good to step outside every now and then.
If you’re struggling with writing a fantasy novel, go pick up a history book. Or a science book. Or an easy-to-flick through romance. Whatever it is, just make it different.
Your brain wants something different right now so feed it.
3. Journal with an actual pen and paper
I’ve flitted between digital journaling and a physical notebook and I’ve got to say writing in a little notebook is more satisfying. You’re a writer, you get it. Plus it means less screen time which we could all do with.
Journal away your thoughts. Even if it’s just line after line of saying “I don’t know what the hell to write.” Get your feelings out, good and bad, process them, understand them. Ask yourself what you’re struggling with and answer.
Having a mini conversation with yourself is surprisingly effective at helping you work out your thoughts, especially if you’re overwhelmed.
4. Look at art
Bonus if you can get to a gallery, but if not, the internet is there.
I personally like a bit of renaissance art…and there’s no way for me to say that without sounding pretentious I know. But I just think it’s cool. It’s history. I’ve got a mini gallery wall in my office with random prints of art I like from Etsy that just make me happy to look at.
If you’ve had absolutely no interest in art before, look up different styles and pick one at random. Or top artists and do the same.
Spend some time just looking and admiring and imagine what was going through the artist’s head at the time. There’s a story behind every piece of art.
5. Make something
I’m not crafty by any means. But doing little things with your hands is a good way to get your brain working in another way.
Lego, making candles, crochet, painting, or something simple like a colouring-in book (my go-to) are all great ways to just do something different that isn’t sitting in front of a screen, hoping the words will come.
Hate crafts? Try cooking something new or baking a new type of cupcake.
Writer’s block is almost always caused by a lack of confidence and creeping doubts, so doing things like I’ve mentioned can be a nice distraction.
I think trying to force yourself to write can sometimes do more harm than good. I’m all for pushing yourself, but if sitting in front of a blank page for hours on end is only going to make you feel worse about yourself, step away, do something new, then come back refreshed.
The ideas will come back eventually.
What do you do when you get the dreaded writer’s block? I want to hear your tips!