Writing is hard.
Those who write know this process isn’t only about putting words on paper. When crafting content assets, you deal with idea generation, research, outlining, organizing the text, and editing, among other things. When working as an author or a freelance writer dealing with orders, you don’t have time to wait for inspiration: You have content plans and deadlines to meet.
That’s when writer’s block may come.
What is that, exactly? Why does it arise, and what can you do to overcome it to continue efficient work on your writing?
Keep reading for the answers.
What is Writer’s Block?
An experienced team of cheap essay writers from FastEssay dealing with urgent and instant papers, define this phenomenon as follows:
Writer’s block is a state of being stuck in the process and unable to move forward and write new works. This overwhelming feeling isn’t new to anyone writing literary, academic, or marketing texts. Those with writer’s block often feel frustrated and seek expert help, delegating their writing tasks to others.
While some believe writer’s block happens because of a lack of ideas or talent, it’s not true. Yale researchers who studied this phenomenon back in the 1970s discovered three primary triggers for it:
- Anxiety: Writers worry they aren’t good enough to handle a task.
- Self-doubt: Afraid of others’ judgment of their work or being compared to other authors, writers can’t create anything.
- Apathy: Feeling constrained by the task requirements or writing “rules,” content creators struggle to find motivation to produce texts.
How to Overcome Writer’s Block: 12 Tricks
Savvy writers have already developed many strategies to overcome the block. Below, you’ll find the 12 most actionable ones.
1. Change Your Writing Location
Where do you usually write? Is it an office, a room in your apartment, or a coworking space? Change scenery:
Go to a library, a park, or a coffee shop and work there for a while. Novelty helps us learn better; a new space is an excellent way to get that novelty. Speaking of coffee shops, they are super efficient because of their specific background noise: It stimulates concentration and boosts creativity — perfect for tackling the block.
2. Eliminate Distractions
Writers are easily distracted from the process: Web and phone notifications, talking colleagues in the office, kids screaming and playing in the next room, and voila! — you’ve switched the focus and got stuck.
Eliminate everything that may distract you from writing:
- Turn off your phone (and leave it in your bag or another room).
- Put on headphones (even if you don’t listen to anything while writing) and let everyone know they shouldn’t disturb you while those headphones are on you.
3. Go For a 30-Minute Walk
Studies show that people who go for walks get an 81% increase in divergent thinking! (It’s the thought process responsible for ideas- and creative solutions generation.) So, once you feel stuck and can’t write a work — go for a walk in a park or just in the streets.
Physical exercises work the same. Spending time in a gym, you may notice the energy and creativity boost to deal with writing tasks quickly.
4. Listen to Music
It’s all about science again:
According to studies, some music compositions in your headphones boost mood, creativity, focus, and productivity. The trick is to choose melodies that fit you most. Discover what type of music encourages you to work best and turn it on when you have writer’s block.
They say that melodic and soothing music without lyrics is the most favorable option (jazz, classical music, nature sounds), but feel free to choose those that boost your spirit. (Mine are Eminem’s Lose Yourself and Survivor’s Eye of the Tiger, for example.)
5. Find Your Productive Trigger
A productive trigger is something (it can be an activity or a habit) that motivates you to work and stick to a schedule. For example, strict deadlines may drive one person, while another may feel more motivated when working in a laid-back environment.
Figure out your productive trigger — and you’ll see the possible reason for your writer’s block and how to tackle it.
6. Understand Your Perfect Writing Time
Some writers, like Ernest Hemingway, are more productive in the morning, while others write at night, like Tom Wolfe. Understand when your peak of creativity is and organize your writing schedule accordingly.
Do your most creative and essential writing work during your “golden hours,” and don’t force yourself to write when your Muse sleeps. (Sure thing, it’s challenging with the 9 am-5 pm schedule, but freelancers can handle it.)
7. Change Your Writing Method
This strategy is about novelty again. Switching up your writing tool when stuck can help you “cheat” the brain and make it work harder. (New instruments and surroundings activate thinking processes, thus allowing us to find solutions in new circumstances.)
So, when you’re stuck, try changing your writing method:
If you write in Google Docs, go to some online editor like Grammarly; if you usually use Microsoft Word, try an oldy-moldy pen and paper. Let’s see if a new format can kickstart your writing process!
8. Set a Timer
Set a physical or digital timer before your writing session: Knowing that you have a particular time limit to finish the text will encourage you to think productively for faster writing.
Set measurable time limits. There’s no need to plan a two-hour writing session: Your brain will “think” it has enough time to deal with the task and won’t hurry up to generate ideas. Twenty- or thirty-minute sessions are enough to speed you up; remember to take a break once finished.
9. Take Breaks
Sometimes, you need to “let it go:”
If inspiration doesn’t strike, and you can’t write a word but sit and stare at your blank screen for an hour — try to do something else for a while. Take a break: go for coffee, read something unrelated to your work, chat with a friend, you name it.
Such short (or long) breaks from writing allow you to view your work with a fresh eye after you return to it.
10. Try Freewriting
Freewriting is unleashing your stream of consciousness about the topic on paper to awaken your creativity flow. During a freewriting session (about 5-10 minutes), you don’t worry about grammar, style, or complete sentences; you write without pausing and second-guessing to push through the block.
A diary and therapeutic writing also fall into this category. Write letters to your audience or some particular addressee about your emotions or daily events influencing your mood or life. You may publish those short sketches on social media or publish a book based on them.
11. Read!
The daily habit of reading does wonders for writers: You enrich vocabulary, polish your cognitive skills, and get new writing ideas and style inspiration. When stuck, try reading the news, inspiring blogs, or a book you love.
Important:
Read something related to your niche or inspiring your professional growth. Make a list of resources that will motivate and educate you.
12. Plan a Reward
Think about how you’ll reward yourself after a tough writing session. The anticipation will release dopamine and encourage the brain to work better to get it.
The reward doesn’t have to be significant. Tell yourself that you’ll cuddle a pet, eat a chocolate bar, take a break, or watch something fun after X amount of words. Such a reward system can help you overcome writer’s block.
Final Thoughts
Try these strategies when you feel stuck and unable to write your essay, blog post, or book chapter; choose those working for you to prevent the block and unleash your creativity.
