Writers Block: What to Do When You Hitt a Wall?

Writers block strikes every writer at some point, but it only becomes a real problem if you let it stop you entirely.

The worst is the frustration and identity crisis.

You’re a writer, right? Writers write, right?

So who are you if you can’t write?

A nobody?

Logically, you know that’s nonsense.

But there are exercises you can do to remove those mental obstacles, no matter how set in concrete they seem to be.

1. Plagiarism is allowed

One of the easiest tips is to start copying other writers’ work. Understand this is not done officially, of course, it’s just for your own research and mental block removal.

Take a best seller or any book you enjoy and start writing down the words on the pages. The simple act of using their own words and writing it down by hand will spark your mind.

At some point, you’ll find that your brain is inserting a different phrase here or there. Presto, you’ve got a leak in the dam!

2. Walk away

Another trick to use is to leave the job entirely. Put down that project and start working on something completely unrelated, even in a different genre if you can.

You know how your brain tends to wander and think about everything but the current project at times? Use this to your advantage.

As you switch over to a non-fiction article from a fiction project, you’ll catch yourself getting flashes or glimpses of where the story might go. When these occur, take a minute to jot them down.

Once you’ve focused on another project for a few hours, you can return to your original writing and find a renewed sense of direction.

3. Forget about perfection

Most of the time, the obstacle that holds writers back is the fear of getting it wrong. Keep in mind this is the first stage and perfection or anything close to it is not required.

Just get your thoughts on paper with all the good, bad and the ugly. Once you’ve got the main first draft down, then you can start looking for revision possibilities.

If you let the fear of perfection keep you from ever writing it down in the first place, you’re not going to be any further along in your career or project.

4. Stick to a schedule

Some people believe that you cannot be creative on demand, however, that is far from the truth. If you train yourself to sit down and write at a certain time each day, you’ll find that your subconscious prepares for this.

Then, when you pick up the pen or start typing, those thoughts and ideas will come pouring out. The more practice you put into a routine like this, the more productive it will become.

Give these tips a try and see how quickly you can move past it. Don’t let a seemingly creative drought keep you from finishing your project.

By using a routine and sharing the creativity of other authors, you can find your way once again.