Writer’s block can be frustrating, especially when you are racing against a tight deadline. But don’t worry – there are several strategies you can try to help get the creative juices flowing again.
In this article, we will explore several proven techniques, so you can learn how to break through writer’s block and get that writing done.
- 1. Write Something, Anything
- 2. Drown Out Writer's Block with Music
- 3. Split the Writing into Bite-size Chunks
- 4. Overcome Writer's Block using Free-Writing or Mind-Mapping
- 5. Break Through Your Writer's Block with Prompts
- 6. Ditch the Keyboard and Pick up a Pen
- 7. Ask yourself questions with a Dialogue Journal
- 8. Explore Different Writing Styles to Battle Writer's Block
- 9. Gather Writing from Other Genres
- 10. Ask for Help or Feedback from Others
- 11. Read for Inspiration
- 12. Look for Ideas with Your Eyes
- 13. Switch Off Your Brain to Spark New Ideas
- 14. Take a Walk and Change the Way Your Brain Works
1. Write Something, Anything
One way to get your creative juices flowing is to start writing something. It can be anything. Starting with a few sentences or a short paragraph can be enough to kickstart your creativity and get you into the habit of writing. This strategy works particularly well if you write about topics that don’t necessarily correlate to what you want to write about, but still provide some stimulation. You can always go back and revise it later, so don’t worry that it won’t be perfect right away!
2. Drown Out Writer's Block with Music
Writer’s block can be caused by a lack of inspiration. To jumpstart your creative juices and cure writer’s block, try changing up your environment. Hence, if you are used to writing in a certain room or at a specific time, try moving to another location or shake up your schedule. These small changes may help get you out of your comfort zone and give you the mental clarity needed to tackle that project. Sometimes it’s not possible to change your physical environment. In that case, try using sound to change your mindset. Scientific studies have proven that music can have a positive effect on creative writing. Be careful however about what type of playlist you choose. A music genre with lyrics and a fast tempo is distracting.
3. Split the writing into Bite-size Chunks
A great cure for writer’s block is to map out the structure before you begin. Once you have a clear outline of the writing, you can choose which sections excite you the most. This allows you to get a few easy wins. Soon you won’t feel like you are staring at a blank page. Likewise, you can combat writer’s block by getting your thoughts onto the page in bullet points.
4. Overcome Writer's Block Using Free-writing or Mind-Mapping
Free-writing and mind mapping are both effective tools to help you overcome writer’s block. Free writing involves setting a timer and just writing for the allotted time without worrying about perfection or making sense. It can be a great way to tap into your subconscious to find ideas or unearth underlying emotions that could shape the direction of what you’re writing. Mind mapping is another technique that can be used to generate new ideas and cultivate creative flow. During this process, simply draw a diagram of interconnecting dots or circles, create multiple webs of related thoughts, and review the structure for potential themes or points on which to focus your work.
5. Break Through Your Writer's Block with Prompts
In addition to free-writing and mind mapping, using prompts and exercises can help beat writer’s block. These techniques involve asking yourself questions such as “what if…” or “imagine that…” and then writing about them for a specific amount of time. By providing prompts related to the topic that you are attempting to write about, you may find inspiration from new angles and be able to produce more fluid content. Additionally, writing exercises like scribbling down every word that comes to your mind when thinking about a certain topic can increase creativity.
6. Ditch the Keyboard and Pick Up a Pen
Computers are amazing tools for creative writing, yet sometimes there is just no substitute for writing by hand. It is scientifically proven that writing this way has an advantage over typing on a keyboard. Plus, it can help you get outside in nature while you write. Keep a journal on you so that when ideas strike you can quickly make note of them.
7. Ask Yourself Questions wtih a Dialogue Journal
Have you ever wanted to talk things out with yourself? Consider talking through your writer’s block by engaging in a dialogue journal. This cure for writer’s block allows you to explore your thoughts and feelings through writing rather than speaking, so nobody needs to hear what you want to keep private. Pick a question or topic, start writing, and then answer the questions that arise from the conversation; try writing as if it is a real conversation between two parts of yourself.
8. Explore Different Writing Styles to Battle Writer's Block
Trying out different writing styles can help to spark some fascinating ideas and break through your writer’s block. Experiment with more whimsical prose, adopt a variety of narrators, explore different points of view, or play around with unique sentence structures like an inverted pyramid. There are plenty of ways to get creative and push past your comfort zone.
9. Gather Writing from Other Genres
If you’re in a creative slump when it comes to your own writing, look for inspiration in other fields. Manage writer’s block by expanding your search beyond the genre you’re working on and read quality pieces from different disciplines, like fiction, poetry, or even computer programming. You can use what you learn in these areas to stretch your mind and come up with more innovative ideas that may not have occurred to you before
10. Ask for Help or Feedback from Others
Writing can be done alone, but it doesn’t have to be. Ask for feedback from your peers or colleagues to get their insight and creative ideas on how to tackle a project. If you’re experiencing writer’s block, others may be able to offer words of encouragement or suggest fresh ways of looking at the same topic. Don’t be afraid to take advice if it could help you move forward. These valuable conversations spark creative ideas and could be just what you need to get out of a mental blockage. Try creating an environment in which you’re not afraid to share your thoughts and come up with ideas together. It can be helpful to bounce concepts off one another, so after constricting the topic, free-write and brainstorm potential solutions as a group.
11. Read for Inspiration
Why not take a break from writer’s block and get inspired? Battle writer’s block by putting down the pen and picking up a book. Reading can be an effective way to inspire ideas, spark creativity, and gain insight into different types of writing styles or structures. For example, try reading short stories in your genre for tips on plot development. Likewise, read your favorite literature for inspiration in terms of tone and diction. At the very least, reading can revitalize enthusiasm for your project.
12. Look for Ideas with Your eyes
Often screenwriters and filmmakers will take inspiration from art, music, cinema, and even seemingly random places. A great cure for writer’s block can be as simple as visiting an art exhibition or watching a movie. Even better, gather inspiration and visual reference to help spark new ideas.
13. Switch off your brain to spark new ideas
Meditation is a useful technique that helps clear the mind of clutter and worry. If you are struggling to break through writer’s block and feeling anxious about a deadline, take a moment to slow down and meditate. There are thousands of guided meditations online that can help focus your energy and reset your mood.
14. Take a walk and change the way your brain works
Taking a short break can be an effective way to overcome writer’s block. Try stepping away from your work and do something physical or mentally stimulating. This can include going for a walk, listening to music, or playing video games. These activities can help clear your head and refresh your mind, giving you the energy to tackle your writing project again.
One of the reasons walking can be such a powerful cure for writer’s block is that it helps get you out of a state of fear or anxiety. It’s scientifically proven that walking can unlock different areas of your brain and actively help reduce feelings of worry and stress. Part of the reason comes down to optical flow. As you walk, your eyes are generally moving side-to-side. These lateral movements can help to stimulate certain parts of your brain. When this happens, the Dorsal Attention Network, also known as the task-positive-network, gobbles up more brain power. This takes resources away from the Amygdala which among other things is how the brain processes fear.
SEEKING A CURE FOR WRITER'S BLOCK ?
There is no single cure for writer’s block. Sometimes, the best way to break through writer’s block is to do is absolutely nothing. Don’t be afraid to be kind to yourself by taking a break and actively procrastinating. Browse the internet; look at other examples of writing; read a blog; take a bath. But, if you are feeling hopelessly stuck and uninspired, maybe you need a ghostwriter. You can find more pointers on writing a winning director’s treatment on our blog.
Need a ghostwriter to overcome writer's block?
A ghostwriter anonymously writes for others. A talented ghostwriter can translate your ideas into strong writing, making the process both enjoyable and easy. The Collective Pitch is a boutique creative agency that represents ghostwriters, visual researchers, designers, and mood reel editors. We work with filmmakers globally to help them win work.
One Response