5 Ways to Overcome the Dreaded Writer’s Block (you’re not alone)
Hey there. Writer’s block SUCKS. We’ve all been there. You might feel compelled to give up, or even overthink yourself into a state of frustration, but TRUST ME, this doesn’t help. Maybe you have writer’s block from being too busy. Maybe you have writer’s block because you’re not busy enough and boredom has flooded your brain. Either way, you’re stuck with supposedly no way out. Luckily for you, I know all about that, and I’m happy to help. There are also many other users on this site who would love to give you a hand, and hopefully will contribute more ideas in the notes of this post. Anyway, straight to the point. Here are the 5 ways to overcome writer’s block:
This is important because it can start to stimulate ideas for a number of reasons. If you’re stressed, it’ll help you to vent. If you’re procrastinating, it’ll get you to focus, which you can then transfer into creative writing. I have been writing in a diary this year, though I’m absolutely terrible at it, and always forget to do it. However, it does help me to put all my energy into writing and it’s excellent practice for when I do decide to do this exact same process creatively.
Sometimes mind-mapping is a good alternative to writing when you can’t come up with ideas. It’ll help you to start from the basics - the minor details. For example genre, characters, plot points, other stories that inspire you, common factors in stories that you love, settings, catchphrases, motifs, themes, WHATEVER! This is useful because it’s less overwhelming than going straight in to your masterpiece (yes, I say masterpiece, because you’re amazing and shouldn’t give up)
Sidenote: if you’re not doing the conventional writing, and perhaps going for game writing or other scripts, try to think of interactive elements and take inspiration from other popular examples of your chosen genre. Good luck!
3) Watch your favourite movie (or read your favourite book, whatever works)
This is important because whatever your favourite story is, it’s your favourite for a reason. Chances are, it lifts your mood and helps you to feel inspired. Maybe, you even aspire to tell a story as good as this one. Therefore, exposing yourself to it again may give you the push you need to continue your novel/poem/short story/fanfiction/WHATEVER. The books and films that I love to fill my mind with are basically anything dystopian, and though I wish I’d come up with the idea initially, it inspires me to think of my own version of a dystopian story, and I’ve already begun working on it. Give it a try, see if it works. Just try not to plagiarise.
4) Eliminate distractions.
We’re all guilty of procrastination. You probably think you’re procrastinating because of writer’s block, however, it’s probably the reason you have writer’s block. Shocker, right? You need to focus on writing. Maybe even force yourself into it! So trust me, go somewhere you can focus (whether that place is silent or filled with music) and force yourself to write. Even the professionals need to force it sometimes. Just write something to stimulate the ‘creative juices’ - even something childish that makes no sense. Just get some words out, in a place that you can’t procrastinate from it.
Go for a walk. Sit in the sun. Put on music. Whatever makes you feel genuinely happy, do it. I know for a fact that I do my best writing on holiday. Why? Because it’s the ultimate time to relax and be left to my imagination. But this doesn’t mean you have to be on holiday, just try something that makes you genuinely happy. We write at our best in a good mood, as The Sims 4 taught us. Duh. Just be your best self, and you’ll produce your best work. I promise.