Breaking Through the Writer's Block

We have all been there - staring at a blank screen, that black line blinking back at us like a silent, mocking challenge: 'just write something'! When the muse takes her absence and that spark of inspiration just won't ignite, writer's block makes its unwelcome appearance in our creative house and it can be so darn hard to show it the door... Hard, but not impossible. Let's chat about strategies for getting back on track with our novels, short stories, poems or whatever your choice of creative expression.

Understand the Beast 🐉

First up, it’s essential to recognise that writer's block is as much a part of the writing process as the joyous flow of a first draft. It’s not a failure but a sign that your brain is asking for a pause, a recalibration, or maybe a different approach. Once we accept and understand it, we can stop being so hard on ourselves and start to see writer's block for what it is: a challenge to overcome.

Change of Scenery 🌄

Sometimes, all it takes to shake things up is a literal change of scenery. Move from your desk to a coffee shop, take your notebook to the park, take your laptop out to the patio or just shift to a different room. A new environment can stimulate your senses and invigorate your mind. You may even consider redecorating or reorganising your office between projects!

Routine Shakeup ⏰

If you’re a creature of habit, flipping your routine can work wonders. If you write in the mornings, try an evening session. If you’re nocturnal, catch the sunrise with your words. And write in short bursts where you can, if you can (better to write for five minutes that could shake up your perspective than to never give it a shot at all!). Sometimes your creativity just needs a different time slot.

Talk it Out 💬

Have you ever tried talking through your story? Call up a friend, find a forum, chat with a peer group or talk to yourself (we won’t judge). Articulating your plot or argument out loud can unlock new perspectives and ideas that were just waiting to be vocalized. Hearing your own thoughts out loud and even listening to others' views on them can be just the thing for revitalising your writing.

Write Anything ✏️

And we mean anything. When that muse takes a hiatus, ditch your main project for a moment and write something wildly different. Pen a poem, a letter to an old friend, or even a silly limerick. The pressure’s off, and your creativity gets to play without stakes. Who knows; you might find the key to unlocking that door that's blocking the way in your main project!

Dive into a Good Book 📚

And on the flipside of our last strategy: read anything! When words fail to flow from your own fingertips, it might be time to turn the pages of someone else's work. Reading is not just a means of escape; it's a rich source of inspiration. As you immerse yourself in the narratives, dialogues, and styles of other authors, you absorb a myriad of expressions, perspectives, and vocabularies that can trigger your own creative impulses.

Self-Care Interlude 🛀

Never underestimate the power of taking a step back to practice some tender, loving self-care. Take a walk, meditate, take a bath, journal or indulge in your favourite hobby. Self-care isn’t just a buzzword; it’s an essential part of the creative process and one of the best ways to overcome writer's block. Some of our best stories and musings come to us while out for a walk, wouldn't you say?

Creative Cross-Training 🎨

Engage in a different creative activity, such as drawing, painting, playing an instrument, or cooking a new recipe. Engaging in diverse creative activities like painting or cooking can stimulate new areas of the brain to foster fresh perspectives and problem-solving skills that rejuvenate your writing. Those different creative domains can feed directly into your writing and enrich prose.

Embrace Imperfection 🤷‍♀️

Give yourself permission to write badly! The first draft is supposed to be a rough free-flow of thoughts; it's usually the editing that takes the longest, and the point at which you would consider hiring a editor to help get through that process... But for now, it's all about getting your ideas down on the page. Once you accept that it’s not going to be perfect on the first go, you might find yourself less constrained.

Remember, writer’s block isn’t a permanent state. It’s a moment in time, and like all moments, it will pass. With a few strategic moves and a little patience (did we mention that patience is key, here?), you’ll be back on the writing train in no time. So keep at it - your best words are yet to come! Happy writing! ✍️