Logan Voss
You’ve got the plot, you’ve got the characters, and you know exactly what you want to say. Now comes the hard part: writing it all down. Writer’s block can affect even the greatest writers, and it can certainly leave you with a lot of unfinished projects. These five tips for curing writer’s block will help you break down that mental barrier so that you can finish your next great novel.
Go for a walk
Inspiration can come and go at a moment’s notice. Sometimes all it takes to recapture that elusive muse is a change of scenery. When you feel writer’s block start to set in, you may be in need of a break. Heading outside for a short walk will give you some room to breathe and allow you to return to your project with a clearer head. The beauty of nature may even provide you with the inspiration you’re looking for.
Freewrite
This may seem counterintuitive, but one of the best tips for curing writer’s block is to just write. You can write about anything you want—the most important part of freewriting is just getting words on the page. Take a break from your main project and spend five to ten minutes freewriting to get your creative juices flowing. This will enable you to push past the writer’s block and move forward with your project.
Start in the middle
Introductions can be tricky, and staring at a blank page can send even the most seasoned writers into a deep fit of writer’s block. Instead of worrying about writing the perfect opening line, start writing in the middle of your piece. Once you finish the body of your work, it will be easier to go back to the beginning and write the introduction.
Set a writing schedule
Decide on a set time during the day where you will do nothing but write. Try to set this writing time for when you’re the most productive and creative, whether you’re a morning bird or a night owl. Sticking to a concrete writing schedule may seem difficult at first, but it will soon become part of your natural daily routine, and your brain will look forward to this writing time.
Eliminate distractions
As deep as the Internet is, it’s a wonder anybody ever gets any work done. Writing on a computer can cause you to stray from your project and down an Internet rabbit hole. One way to avoid the distractions of the web is to turn off your Internet connection while writing or to write in a notebook. Even when writing offline, however, you may encounter other distractions. A ringing phone or a barking dog can easily pull you away from your project and build up a wall of writer’s block. Instead, turn your phone on silent and write in a private area. With these distractions gone, your brain will be able to think more freely, and you won’t find yourself taking as many breaks.
