10 Creative Ways to Overcome Writer’s Block
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As a lover of words and a person who communicates best in writing, not being able to write is terrifying. Here I share 10 ways to overcome writer’s block and get back to writing what I love!
While writer’s block does not trouble me often, when it descends, it is a harsh experience I mostly loathe. I have fought against it and despaired with it to no avail.
Each bout of writer’s block handles differently; I never find that I am blocked for the same reason every time the thought of writing leaves a bad taste in my mouth. If I can, I try to take a moment or a few days to figure out why I am blocked. Underneath the prevalent disgust/feeling of failure/frustration, there is always a reason for those feelings. Perhaps someone said something discouraging or criticism nettled me, or perhaps someone else’s rousing success made me wonder what I am doing wrong, why am I even trying? Jealousy is a natural part of the journey; I feel it, but I do not let it consume me.
I do not like words like ‘avoid’ in writing
Yes, some things can be avoided but most things I would rather meet head on and resolve my dislike or fear of a thing then and there as opposed to holding on. Writer’s block cannot be avoided but it can be dealt with by a variety of creative or traditional means.
When writer’s block strikes, I am usually fed up with writing and do not want anything to do with it. However, it is a useful steppingstone up to come across creative and innovative ways other writers have overcome their block.
I have been feeling a bit blocked up lately in terms of inspiration and focus, so today I thought I would find one more reason to write by sharing how I handle writer’s block with a mix of traditional but mostly strange and creative techniques.
10 ways to overcome writer’s block
- Write about writer’s block. Nothing is more helpful than writing about something you hate or want to be rid of. Most people do this in a personal journal or diary for their innermost feelings, but you could express yourself in a short story or a poem as well. Write about how being blocked up makes you feel. You may not be writing what you want to write, but you will be powering up by writing.
Related: 4 Tips to Help You Write Better Poetry + resources
- Try a different pen. If you are like me and you write by hand, try writing with a ballpoint pen as opposed to a rollerball pen or vice versa. If you have a quill or ink-dip pen, you might even try that.
- Read a bad or controversial book. There is always a book circulating where common opinion is that it is bad. Controversially, there are also books that spark massive discussion and beating of the dead horse over tender points within the writing. I find reading a book against something I believe in is a great way to get my argumentative thoughts flowing in ink. Reading a bad book also sparks my confidence and tells me I can write well. This kind of inspiration is the inspiration that drives writer’s block out!
- Watch a bad or controversial film or show. If you are more of a movie person, watch a poorly made love it/hate it film or show!
- Try something new. There is nothing like writing a mystery story if you normally write fantasy to get the words flowing, or delving into prose if you normally go in for poetry. Experiment in words and see if anything clicks. You will not be worse off than where you started out.
- Read gossip magazines shamelessly. I do not think much of the gossip magazines that tantalize you at the grocery store checkouts; the English rightfully call them ‘rags’ but reading something as poorly written and ridiculous as the stories in the magazines is a great way to get your writing juices flowing again, if only in outrage.
- Shamelessly plagiarize. Take a great story premise by another author that fails in its delivery and write it your way. Make it as you wanted to read it. Obviously, this writing should be for your eyes alone unless you share it appropriately labeled as fan fiction.
- Doodle endlessly. Pass time by doodling! I doddle in the margins of my notebooks and scan headlines and book titles for passing inspiration.
- Get creative. Forget about your writer’s block by moving away from writing altogether! In the absence of words, I sing, dance, and cook. I do not seek distraction, just something to pass the time. Music and board games, films, and books are also good creative fillers.
- Wallow in self-pity. If all else fails, there is nothing like a good moan. If you have someone so supportive as to listen to you wail and possibly gripe, do it. You will feel better. If the conversation does go in a more wholesome direction, do not be afraid to follow it. There is a healthy amount of self-pity and then there is an unhealthy amount of self-pity. Know the difference.
Eventually a little something will pique your interest and the words will begin to flow again. Writer’s block is not the drying of a well; it is merely a lull that soon begins to swell again.
How do you deal with writer’s block? Share your favorite technique to overcome it below!
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Farah Al Zadjaly
Dammmm girl this is really good, i get writers block from time to time. I am always trying to find ways to snap out it.
Jaya Avendel
Thanks so much, Farah! I am happy this is helpful to you. 🙂
Michael Christensen
This is great advice. I sometimes step away from writing a book to writing a new blog. Or step away from one section of a book to work on another. Or realize I’m stymied because I do not know what I’m talking about and switch to research.
Jaya Avendel
Yes! Mixing up where you put your words really helps them flow. Research also gives me something to compile neatly into useful reading when I am done too. Thanks for sharing how you overcome block, Michael. 🙂
Sandra Ans
Woooow, you opened just another world for me! I have never known what to do when I am having writing block, so I am very, very thankful for this post and so many interesting ideas! This was one of the most useful posts I have ever read because no one actually talks about this kind of a ”problem”. Big thank you! ♥
Jaya Avendel
Thanks kindly! I am beyond thrilled this helped you in so many ways. 😍
Navita Bhatia
I just felt that this post had been written for me, Jaya. I have encountered writer’s block many times, and every time different strategies have worked out for me. Reading a bad book and plagiarizing for our own eyes seem good ideas. Thanks for sharing these tips.
Jaya Avendel
So delighted this is of help to you, Navita! I still have fun plagiarizing for myself. 😄
Fidel Mccartan
This is a good tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere. Short but very accurate information… Appreciate your sharing this one. A must read article!
Giulia
I have writers block lately! I used to have all these ideas for my posts and now I struggle to chose one week to week.
Jaya Avendel
I do hope the words start flowing for you soon! Lack of words is tough. <3
Giulia
Yes, it is.
Della Driscoll
Writers’ block honestly sucks and I hate when I experience it! These are some really great tips to combat it xx
meredithdent
There’s some really new and different advice here, a lot of it I’ve never heard before! Saving this list for the next time I’m feeling stuck ❤️
Jaya Avendel
Thrilled to be of help!
Nancy
Writer’s block is the worst!! It’s hard to overcome it, but at least consuming other content and getting your mind into other things at least get your brain moving. I am big on going through Pinterest! At least there are lots of great ideas there. Good idea about doodling endlessly too! Thanks for sharing all of these great tips 🙂
Nancy ✨ mdrnminimalists.com
Merry
I often experience writer’s block last year. I just need to take a break and explore new blogs to find inspiration 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing this, it’s really helpful 😀
Jaya Avendel
Exploring writing is such a lovely way to rejuvenate! Thanks for sharing what worked fo you. 🙂
barbaraleaver
Thanks for the great suggestions!
Thecaskconnoisseur
Some very interesting and helpful tips here for writers blocks. This is are definitely some tips I can use in the future! It’s also helpful to find out ways how to do things easier without stressing out!
bournemouthgirl
These are some great suggestions for helping to overcome writers block. Writers block is really difficult and can be frustrating. Thank you for sharing your suggestions.
quirkymoms486
Soooo needed to read this today! Thanks for sharing Jaya!
glowsteady
I used to write everything by hand, even my blog post intros when I got the idea. I do that less these days but still do all of my planning, notes, edits by hand first. I’ve never seen anyone suggest writing about writer’s block before but that makes perfect sense. You’ll be feeling something emotive about it, whether that be anger and frustration or complete hopelessness, but certainly enough to passion to find your rhythm again, such a great tip!
Jaya Avendel
Thank you, Sophie! Love that this connected with you and that you still take notes by hand. 🙂
Sapphistication
Writers block can be such an endless cycle of pressure and exhaustion, I’ll definitely be trying a few of these to break out of it!
Jaya Avendel
Love that this is helpful to you! Thanks for reading. 🙂
Tom
Interesting ideas! I normally assume any writer’s block I suffer owes to fatigue, and try and rest for a couple of days with no pressure. If looking for inspiration, I like the idea of deliberately seeking out bad content (of which there is an endless supply!) as a premise to try and alter it. Even if it goes no further than your own head, it’s a gentle way to get back into writing!
Jaya Avendel
I love gentle ways to get back into writing, so I love the way you think of the usefulness of bad writing. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Tom!
Beat Those Thoughts
As someone who suffers from writers block every once in a while, I found this post incredibly helpful! I love the idea of watching/reading something bad to get the mind flowing again! I also find that taking a walk in nature helps me get over writers block as well.
Great post! Thank you for sharing x
Jaya Avendel
Oo, love the idea of going for a walk! Walks are incredibly soothing. 🙂
Keep Calm & Drink Coffee
Thank You Jaya! These tips are really precious and I will surely try them soon.
Usually I find my blocks with music, in particular rock music: it gives me power.
And also having a walk or a ride in the countryside: this regenerates me.
Jaya Avendel
Yes! Music is empowering. 💓🎵🎤
Vinn
When writer’s block invades me I do something else like binge on Netflix, gardening or read books. Like the idea of writing why I’m having the block. Journaling is a good release of whatever thoughts we may have.
Jaya Avendel
Such is the beauty and usefulness of journaling. 🙂
K.M. Allan
Great tips, Jaya. I especially love the one about reading/watching something bad. That would totally snap me out of writer’s block.
Jaya Avendel
<3 Thank you! The snap of energy after block is very refreshing.
Headphonesthoughts
It’s so hard to write when you have writer’s block. These are awesome tips. Thanks for sharing.
Jaya Avendel
Glad to be of help!
Raji (@journeyintofantasy)
These are some great tips! I’m more prone to reading slumps than writer’s block, but I definitely have to try a few of these the next time it happens. Reading a bad book is an idea I’ve never heard before, but I see how it can be helpful.
Jaya Avendel
Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Kat Br
I agree! I haven’t heard advice about reading controversial books but I think Jaya is right, it can be helpful. Thanks for sharing this tips Jaya! <3
Jaya Avendel
It is my delight! I am loving how many of the things that help me are helping others. 🙂
Kelly Diane
These are some great tips. I find it so important just to switch off when I have writers block. If I concentrate on doing other things instead, the words soon start to flow in my head again.
Unwanted Life
I rarely write by hand nowadays, mainly because I hate my hand writing and I can’t always read it. It also doesn’t help that I’m dyslexic – typing allows for spell check. However, I get where you’re coming from by changing pen. As another way of getting older writer’s block, would trying a different creative task help?
Jaya Avendel
Handwriting is not for everyone, but I love that you still found the idea of changing pens relatable! I think that trying a different creative task would be a big help; often our frustration is only at one thing so moving onto something else can be re-inspiring.
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!
Under Flowery Sky
Awesome tips, different pen is so funny but lovely..
writtencasey
Love this topic. My personal rule is do not let perfect be the enemy of good. Even let your writing be “bad” then share it! The work and play is simply writing. The gems are often contained in a pile of ugly rocks.
Jaya Avendel
<3 I love your golden rule! Perfect truly is the enemy of good, but sharing bad writing is a wholesome learning opportunity.
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!
Ingrid
There are some great suggestions here Jaya. I am relieved to say that I have not suffered from writer’s block…yet. But I’ve only been writing full-time for a year, so who know when it might strike 😬
Jaya Avendel
May the words flow forever, Ingrid!
Ingrid
And for you also 🙏