E.S. Raye

Today, we’re going to talk about a subject every writer faces from time to time: Writer’s Block. Everybody deals with it, and everybody’s got their own two cents to add to the discussion on how to overcome it. Here’s mine!

I want to start by making a distinction. When I say “writer’s block” I’m not talking about having a problem in the story or with your characters that needs to be thought through and figured out. To me, that’s not writer’s block, that’s working through the story and is a fundamental part of writing. Instead, I’m referring to that feeling where you just don’t know what to write at all. This happens to me most often when I’m between projects and feel like I have no ideas for new projects to begin. So…

There are those who would say writer’s block isn’t real, or that it’s just a lack of discipline.

I disagree.

I know it’s real, and I know it’s not from laziness.

However…

I do think the answer to it is discipline. Let me explain.

If you Google “how to get over writer’s block,” you’ll get list after list that include things like “take a walk,” or “organize your workspace.” And those things help when I’m stuck with the problem of what my character’s should do next, but they don’t usually help me with what I consider writer’s block.

But those same lists also usually include something to the effect of “write through it.” And, for me, that’s the only true answer.

When I feel stuck and don’t know what to write, I don’t wait for inspiration (“That’s a long wait for a train don’t come” – Mal Reynolds, Serenity), instead I…

Edit Old Stories

I find that going back to older stories and working on something I’ve already written can help get the creativity flowing again. I’m reading my own words, immersing myself in my own writing style, and even writing a little when I get to parts that need reworking.

It’s a nice, light way to get my brain back into a creating mode.

Find Story Prompts

One of my go-to methods for overcoming writer’s block is looking up story prompts. I keep an ever-growing list of my favorites close at hand, and am always on the lookout for new ones.

It’s counterintuitive, but I sometimes feel most creative when someone else puts constraints on that creativity. Sometimes a writing prompt can be just enough of a box to get my brain thinking outside it once again.

The trick is finding one I like, and sometimes I’ll spend hours looking for just the right prompt. This is where that discipline kicks in. At some point I just have to pick one and get on with it.

Try Free Writing

This isn’t a technique I’ve used often, but it has worked for me in the past. Set a timer for a few minutes, maybe 3 to 5, and the just… write.

Don’t worry about theme, characters, grammar, or even complete sentences. Just write whatever comes into your head – there’s a reason this is also called “stream of consciousness!”

Don’t get discouraged if you don’t strike gold on your first attempt. Due to the very nature of this kind of writing a lot of it, especially when you first start doing it, is going to be nonsense, or otherwise random flotsam swirling around in your brain. But, like with editing or using a prompt, it does get the juices flowing from your brain to your fingers. And with some practice and discipline, you’ll land on something soon – if only because your brain gets bored with the nonsense!

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Boiled down, I believe the only way to overcome writer’s block is to write! Not everything you write needs to be of consequence, and it certainly doesn’t need to be perfect. For me, at least, the physical act of writing is the best way to jump start the psychological process of creating something great.