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How to Overcome Writer’s Block: Tips to Get You Writing
Michael Adams
“So completely has a whole year passed, with scarcely the fruits of a month. — O Sorrow and Shame… I have done nothing”’ – Samuel Taylor Coleridge
The feeling of “I have done nothing” or “Why couldn’t I write something good?” is extremely frustrating. Don’t worry. This is not only with you; many writers, bloggers, journalists, and even students occasionally face problems in simply putting a few words together on a page. The feeling starts with simply not being able to string together coherent thoughts and ends up with us, two hours in, staring at the blank screen. This dreaded and empty mind feeling is called writer’s block.
So, is it a feeling that will plague you? Or we can beat it?
Yes, writers can overcome the block. It is a delicate process that involves first understanding the main reason for writer’s block. Why is this important? Because the block and the process of overcoming it is subjective thus, it varies from person to person. So today, we are going discuss the phenomenon of writer’s block in detail, along with effective tips that will get your creative juices flowing again.
Key Takeaways
- Writer’s block is a common problem for many people who write, like authors, bloggers, journalists, and students.
- Some think it’s a real issue, while others believe it’s something we make up ourselves.
- Common reasons for writer’s block include feeling unsure of yourself, being anxious, avoiding tasks, being too tired, and wanting everything to be perfect.
- To overcome writer’s block, you can try things like reading, writing freely without worrying about mistakes, changing your surroundings, and setting small, easy goals.
- Writing every day, accepting that things don’t have to be perfect, and pushing through your fears can help spark creativity.
- The important thing is to keep writing—even if it’s not great, it’s still better than not writing at all.
What Is Writers Block?
In simpler words, writer’s block is when writers feel stuck and can’t come up with new ideas or words to write. Expert Mike Rose (2006) describes writer’s block as “the inability to begin or continue writing for reasons other than a lack of basic skill or commitment.”
According to Glatch, “writer’s block—wanting to write and not writing—is a persistent problem that every writer (yes, every writer, even Stephen King) deals with.”
Writer’s block happens when writers struggle to write anything down and feel disconnected from their work. The reason could be anything, such as no motivation, distraction, or self-doubt. Almost every writer has faced this issue at some point, especially when deadlines are approaching.
Many writers actively talk about the concept of the block that writers face and how they feel “stuck,” but there are other people as well who argue that writer’s block is just a mental construct – or an excuse for laziness and procrastination.
Is Writer’s Block Even Real, or Is it All in Our Head?
As a writer myself, when I struggle to write something good or creative – it makes me question my worth and value. This is when I started searching for ways to get back to writing. This is when I came across a huge debate on whether writer’s block is actually a real thing or something we self-impose on ourselves.
I came across the book, “How to Write a Lot: A Practical Guide to Productive Academic Writing,“ written by Paul Silvia in 2007. He said that writing is more about persistence and habit than waiting for inspiration. He compared writing with other unpleasant jobs like fixing a sewer or running a mortuary to emphasize that writing is not always fun.
The “panic and frustration” that writers feel – he says that it refers to the anxiety they feel when facing a blank page and a deadline. If you believe you’re “creatively blocked,” it can make things worse. It is because by telling yourself that you are creatively blocked or uninspired, you are basically convincing yourself that you can’t write. It makes people lose their will to push through and write.
This made so much sense to me. He further said, “Naming something gives it object power,” and that also when “people can overthink themselves into deep dark corners, and writer’s block is a good example of that.”
At the same time, I know that everyone’s experience is different. I’m not trying to pass judgment or downplay anyone’s struggle. I simply use perspective to look at the writer’s block from a different point of view. I understand how difficult it is to sit there, staring at the page, feeling like the words just won’t come. Whether writer’s block is real or self-imposed, the struggle is real for those who feel it—and that’s something I completely respect.
The Main Causes of Writer’s Block
Before exploring a writer’s block cure, it is important to confront the various triggers that can lead to a lack of ideas and writing ability. These triggers may differ for each individual.
Self-Doubt/ Fear
What I personally feel is that writers are not afraid of writing, but what holds them back are their thoughts about whether their produced work is going to be loved by others. It’s the fear of “I am not good enough,” or maybe people internally compare themselves to others. Or they fear the competition.
I’ll be honest: I used to do this. It took me quite some time to understand that comparison is the thief of joy.
Fear and self-doubt can leave you feeling paralyzed. It’s important to recognize that writer’s block can arise not only from a lack of writing skills but also from emotional and psychological barriers, such as self-doubt and fear. Perhaps these feelings are what’s keeping you stuck.
Anxiety
Writers often face two types of anxiety. One is the pressure to surpass other writers. They fear that their work will be compared unfavorably to others and worry about how they will be perceived. Questions like, “What if people think I don’t deserve to be taken seriously?” or “What if they believe I’m just pretending to know what I’m writing about?” can be overwhelming.
These thoughts fall under the umbrella of imposter syndrome, which many writers struggle with. This self-doubt can lead them to second-guess every word they write. In some cases, it can even result in writers becoming so paralyzed by these fears that they don’t write anything at all.
Procrastination
Procrastination often leads to writer’s block, and it can sneak up on us by pretending to be harmless—like waiting for the right moment, the perfect idea, or needing just a bit more research before jumping in. However, the more we delay writing, the more daunting it feels.
Even distractions like social media or fussing over everyday chores can interrupt our thinking, and you might just say, “There is only so much I can do in a day. I’ll start writing from tomorrow.”
Exhaustion
To write well, you need time, space, energy, and mental clarity. If you feel too tired or overwhelmed (because of other aspects of life)– this exhaustion can make it hard for you to think and write. Even writing constantly without breaks can lead to creative exhaustion. When the brain is overworked, coming up with fresh ideas becomes challenging.
Perfectionism
Most writers become perfectionists because they genuinely want to write something valuable. Writing is personal, and when we have to share our work with strangers, we don’t want to present something that is bad or make someone question us. I believe this drive causes writer’s block because we get stuck when we run in the race to produce “perfect” content in the first draft. We do not let ideas flow naturally.
How To Get Over Writer’s Block
The wait is over – we have reached the section of the blog where we are going to discuss some tried and tested tips that are also known as writer’s block cures.
Before you read the tips, I encourage you to close your eyes and take a deep breath. Remind yourself that you are talented, creative, and not blocked. You are simply feeling empty. By using a few simple strategies, you can get back on track.
1. Can’t Write? It’s Okay. Pick Something Up to Read
The very first thing that I understood was that when dealing with writer’s block – the key is not to run away. It’s fine if you do not feel like writing; you can read instead. Pick up an interesting fictional book or search for it on a blog or maybe an article in a magazine. The key is to keep your mind engaged and overcome the mental blocks.
Reading basically helps you brainstorm and inspire. By reading something new, you will see how others express their thoughts. Reading also reduces your stress and will take your mind away from the stress of writing.
An American writer, Rumaan Alam, in an interview with Literary Hub, says that when he struggles with writing – he doesn’t stop. He starts writing garbage, anything that comes into his mind, but when it is one of those days when he doesn’t even want to pick up a pencil or look at a computer screen, then he reads.
“Such days, I read; reading is inextricably linked with writing, so you can grade yourself on a curve and say that counts.”
2. Find a Way to Think Outside the Box
Writer’s block can be very confusing, and it can instantly trap your mind in a loop. A loop that is stressful makes you fear and makes you question yourself. It is important to break free from that. If you ask me, I’d like to listen to “I Want To Break Free” by Queen while painting something.
Thinking outside the box does not have to be something good and unusual; it can be as simple as going to a movie. Watch something fascinating or twisty that makes you think. Pick up those movies that have good stories that can give you ideas. For example, in The Machinist, have you ever put the character of your story in a high-stakes position and made him realize that whatever he witnessed was not real and just some delusions of his mind?
See, any single idea is good enough to send you back and overcome writer’s block.
3. Write Daily – Make a 20-Mint Rule
Writing for just 20 minutes each day is important, even if what you write is rough or not perfect. Making time to write can help you break free from writer’s block. Focus on getting your thoughts down on paper (no matter how jumbled they are or how rough they seem.) This daily practice can spark creativity and make writing feel easier over time.
4. Don’t Live in Delusions and Accept That Criticism is a Part of Life
Struggle and criticism are a part of our lives. It’s not just in the writing field. Its everywhere. For example, did you know that Chriss Pratt faced numerous auditions and was rejected multiple times? He was also overlooked for leading film roles. It took him 14 years to get major success or take Robert Downey Jr – who started his career back in the 1980s, only to get involved in addiction and come back with a hit movie in 2008. If he had given up – would we be able to be the perfect and GOAT Iron Man?
As a writer, you will encounter rejections, but it is important not to let them lead to self-doubt. To counter rejections, consider sharing your drafts with premium book writing help or hiring affordable ebook writing services. While they may not review your work, their edits can provide you with a fresh perspective. Their professional feedback will keep you grounded in reality and offer guidance on how to improve your writing.
5. There is No Such Thing as Perfect Writing
“If I waited for perfection, I’d never write a word.” — Margaret Atwood
Please do not run after “perfectionism.” I understand how harshly writers and their work are judged, but that does not mean that you can write something perfect or top-notch in your first draft. Remember that no piece of writing is perfect, so don’t let that get in the way of your writing.
6. Lower Your Expectations – You’re Human
I used to have a lot of expectations from myself, mostly unrealistic. When I was unable to meet them, that little voice in my mind would immediately taunt “If only you were a great or professional writer, you would’ve met these expectations.” This was a major setback that I faced.
To all of my writing colleagues, don’t repeat the mistake I made: remind yourself from time to time that you’re not going to be your best every day. You’re only human; there will be days when your mind has a strong flow of thoughts, but there will also be days when you struggle with just a few sentences.
Show up anyway. Do your research and write (something, anything.) What you must not do is to sit down and think that you will achieve something magical or extraordinary tomorrow. Write a little bit without putting too much pressure on yourself.
Basically, to overcome writer’s block, you must try to be the tortoise and not the hare.
7. Establish SMART Goals
“The secret to getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one.” — Mark Twain.
Writing is a long process. It involves research, making notes, writing drafts, editing, and much more. Some people also feel writer’s block when they are too overwhelmed with the work. A great writer’s block cure is setting SMART goals.
S – Specific
M – Measurable
A – Achievable
R – Relevant
T – Time-bound
Following smart goals helped me maintain my focus by breaking down my huge tasks into smaller, manageable chunks. This approach not only reduces overwhelm but also provides a clear path forward, making the writing process feel less daunting.
8. Take Breaks
Taking breaks is essential for overcoming writer’s block, but not all breaks are helpful. Browsing social media can feel like a quick break, but it actually hurts your focus. It bombards your brain with bits of info, making it tough to concentrate when you get back to writing.
Instead of letting your mind recharge, it keeps you distracted and reactive. A true break—like a quick walk or mindfulness exercise—helps your thoughts settle, clears mental clutter, and sparks creativity.
Conclusion
Writer’s block can feel like an impenetrable stone wall, and it is difficult to break through. However, in reality, you can overcome it. The essential step is to trust yourself. While the journey to overcome writer’s block can be tedious and may sometimes require starting from scratch, it’s important not to let frustration take hold. Embrace the process, even if it means beginning with small steps and writing from scratch.
Remember, your words hold power, and your ideas are significant. So, take these insights to heart, dispel the doubt, and move forward with confidence.
FAQ’s
What are the best books for overcoming writer’s block?
Some highly recommended books include Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott, The War of Art by Steven Pressfield, and The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron.
Can writer’s block affect experienced writers?
Yes, even the most professional writers struggle with it. The difference is that experienced writers have developed strategies to overcome it more quickly.
Is writer’s block more common in fiction or non-fiction writing?
Writer’s block can affect both, but fiction writers often experience it more due to the creative demands of storytelling.
Can physical exercise help with writer’s block?
Yes. Workout increases the blood flow to the brain and releases endorphins. This can boost creativity and reduce stress.
Is it better to push through writer’s block or take a break?
It depends on why you’re struggling. If you’re feeling mentally tired, taking a break might help more. But if you’re just putting things off, trying to write for just five minutes using a timer can help you get started.
How can collaborating with others help overcome writer’s block?
Basically, discussing ideas with the best professional book writing services or custom book writing help can introduce fresh perspectives. They can correct your mistakes and perfect your manuscript, which not only reduces fear and self-doubt but also helps generate new angles for your writing.
About Author
Hi My name is Micheal Adams, When I am not watching horror movies and helping my kids with homework or reading my favorite fantasy/supernatural novels – I’m writing to guide aspiring authors. I focus on exploring and simplifying both the technical aspects and the often-overlooked details of book writing and publishing so I can empower new writers to climb the Amazon bestseller list and connect with more readers.
