Easy Ways to Stop Writer's Block

Help for the Times When Your Can't Finish Your Writing Work

Jan 28, 2008

If you have time to write leisurely, then a writing block is more of a nuisance than a detriment. But when facing a deadline, it can be disastrous.

We've all had it happen. The writing muse will come out of nowhere and grace us with a gift of creativity. And then, as swiftly as she emerges into our consciousness, she leaves without even a wave goodbye.

There are as many different ways to deal with the frustration of writer's block as there are writers. Whether you are a “fog writer” or an “outliner”, it’s still easy to get stumped when the creative juices stop flowing. Remembering some basic rules, tricks of the trade if you will, can help us get through the slump.

Tried and True Ways to Beat the Block

A few minutes to step away, stretching, getting a drink of water all help unlock a temporary block. A change of scenery, fresh air, a different task or some quiet meditation all help. Simply getting up from your desk or writing area for a temporary break can sometimes be just the thing to knock you out of your slump.

The basic formula for breaking writer’s block is to simplify your thought process. In one or two sentences, summarize the purpose of what you are writing. (i.e. "My article’s focus is to help working mom’s find time for themselves" or "My book is about the journey of a knight and his quest to win the hand of a princess"). Make a simple outline of the story you are trying to tell. Break the ideas down into chunks. Go back and plug in the basics of each paragraph or chapter, then expand each idea.

Also called “free writing” in this process you put down as many ideas as fast as you can in a set period of time, usually 10-15 minutes. Short sentences, good ideas and bad, mental pictures. You’re not suppose to worry about grammar, punctuation or storyline. Just jot down anything that comes to mind, even if it seems silly. Let the ideas flow and spread out. At the end of the session, you can filter through your creation and draw out what you need.

With your main theme or idea as the trunk, make branches into the different paths your story might take. Sometimes you will be surprised at the direction your story will travel and grow. Writer’s block is like coming to a fork in the road. Taking a different path, or branch, can lead to surprises that you as the author might not have initially imagined.

Writing in reverse is another way to unlock writer’s block. Go all the way to the end of your article or book, and tell the story from the end to the beginning. Instead of trying to chronologically write your ideas, inverting the process will allow us to think of things from a different way.

Tell your story out loud. It’s amazing how different the process of writing can change when you speak what you write. If possible, have someone sit with you and listen as you explain what you are trying to say with your written words. Just the act of saying the words and ideas can help to get past the writing barrier.

If stepping away for a few minutes doesn’t work, sometimes it becomes necessary to take a break for several hours or even a few days. If you have the time, this longer recess will help clear your head and allow for refocus. Even the best of writers take time off. Writing, like most things, requires a small intermission from time to time to allow our brains to work more effectively.

The copyright of the article Easy Ways to Stop Writer's Block in Writing Techniques is owned by Elizabeth Richards. Permission to republish Easy Ways to Stop Writer's Block in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.