8 Creative Solutions to Writer’s Block

Ever heard of the malady called writer’s block? If you are a writer by profession, then you must have. And you must dread this feeling, rightly so. It’s a sudden period of inactivity and procrastination when your muse says goodbye to you and words just don’t flow through your pen. What a helpless situation it creates!

Well, if you are a writer currently stuck in this bog called writer’s block, hold on, for there’s hope still. Here are 8 creative and sure-fire ways to get rid of writer’s block quickly. Read on, and say goodbye to the block

Write it Down

One of the most viable and creative solutions to writer’s block is to simply…write! If you are stuck, take half an hour each day to write anything and everything that comes to mind on paper.

One of the most viable and creative solutions to writer’s block is to simply…write!

Write in a carefree manner, and do not worry about spelling and grammar. Just pour your heart out on the paper, akin to journalling. What this does is it tricks your brain into tapping into the ocean of words inside your head. Plus, journalling is based on real-life events, and often real-life events inspire the best stories.

Make Use of Writing Prompts

Another sure-fire way to get past writer’s block is to make use of writing prompts. Just go online and Google the phrase ‘free writing prompts’ and immediately, you will get hundreds of writing prompts listed.

Choose one of them and start expanding on it. Write for about fifteen minutes, then move over to a new prompt. Writing prompts are a great exercise to deal with writer’s block as they force you to experiment with different writing styles and plots.

The Pomodoro Technique

Francesco Cirillo developed the Pomodoro Technique which states that people are most productive in a 25-minute block.

Set a timer on your phone for 25 minutes and sit down to write. Do not get up during this period, not even to get a glass of water or a cup of coffee. Make sure that everything you need is within your reach before you sit down to write. Then, once the timer goes off for the end of the 25-minute period, take a break.

The Pomodoro technique is one of the more creative solutions to writer’s block.

Take a Break and Indulge in a Creative Activity Other than Writing

This is another great way to get rid of writer’s block. When the words just won’t come to you, instead of forcing yourself to write something, just let it go for the moment.

Chances are, you are feeling burnt out, and hence the block. To get rid of writer’s block, take a step back from writing for a while, and indulge in doing some other creative activity, like painting or scrapbooking.

Doing something creative other than writing gives your mind a new well of ideas and visions. It helps you effectively channel your creativity into the form of art.

Reading

If you are a writer, the likelihood is you are also an ardent reader. And you can actually use this habit in your favour when you are trying to get rid of writer’s block.

Reading other books and materials inspires you to come up with ideas and plots of your own. Even if it doesn’t, it will help you emulate your favourite writers; you will try experimenting with their writing and narration styles.

This once again lets you tap into the well of ideas in your mind. Even if what you write initially is just an imitation of the author you just read, it will break the spell of dull unproductivity and help you frame words once more.

Practice Writing Early in the Morning or Before Bed

Try to wake up early in the morning, around 4 to 5 A.M., when your brain is still in Theta mode, the brainwave pattern your mind is in when you are dreaming.

Sit down to write as soon as you wake up. You will get a fresh perspective on your story/poem and people have said that they do their most productive writing in the wee hours of the morning.

Similarly, you can also practice writing 15 minutes before going to bed at night. This early morning and bedtime routine is one of the best solutions to writer’s block that I have found.

Start From the Middle

Often, writers will experience writer’s block because they can’t come up with the beginning lines. And it’s true, the beginning is often the hardest part to write. After all, the beginning is the hook statement of your writeup, the one that makes or breaks the deal for the reader. There is a lot of pressure on the beginning.

However, you don’t always have to rigidly start writing from the beginning. You can start writing from the scene you have envisioned smack dab in the middle of the story if you want. Write at your own pace, write the part which naturally comes to you first.

Eliminate Distractions Like the Internet

Nowadays, writers often experience writer’s block because they are too stuck on their phones, in the world of social media.

If writing is your profession, then it’s a serious business. You have to eliminate any or all distractions when you sit down to write. If the plumber is at work next door, invest in a pair of noise-cancelling headphones. Switch off your phone for a few hours, or at least turn off the notifications, shove your butt into the chair, and just write!

I repeat again – the most productive of solutions to writer’s block is simply just that – to write.

Writer’s block can get really frustrating the longer it persists. However, don’t worry if you have hit your first writer’s block as a new writer. We all go through it from time to time. It doesn’t mean the end of the world, and no, it doesn’t mean you won’t write again.

In the 8 solutions to writer’s block that I have listed, you are bound to find one or more solutions working out for you to get rid of writer’s block. These are all tried and true solutions that help me when I’m going through a creative block, and now you are privy to the best techniques out there. Now sit down in front of your computer, or pick up the pen, and start writing!

If you found this blog post helpful, please consider liking and subscribing to the blog. What is the one go-to way you personally use to get rid of writer’s block? Sound off in the comments section. Happy writing!