10 Tips for Dealing With Writer’s Block

Writer’s Block. It is a phrase that strikes fear in the hearts of writers everywhere. The day the muse calls in sick. At some point, every writer deals with it: the blank page, not knowing what to write next or where the story is going.

It’s Easier than You Think

Here are ten quick tips to deal with those dry periods:

1. Acceptance – Accept the fact that sometimes, you are not going to know what to write. That the well is going to be temporarily dry.
2. This Too Shall Pass – Realize that nothing lasts forever. Not periods of stagnation or periods of great inspiration. Writing, like life, is cyclic.
3. Keep Writing – Write right through the writer’s block. Even if it is pure crap.
4. Choose Something Else to Write – If you are in midst of writing a book, try writing a poem, a short story, a blog post, or even a letter.
5. Skip That Part – Yes, skip the part that has you totally lost and go to the scene after that. Chronologically it makes no sense, but you can build the bridges later. There is no rule in writing that says you have to write the story in order.
6. Write Something Different – Not sure where to go with your plot or your character? Take any writing prompt and use it to write something else about your main character or your plot. You most likely will not use it, but ultimately, it flexes your writing muscles and gets the creative juices flowing. Besides, you might be surprised to see where it takes you.
7. Do Something Else Creative – Whether it is painting, woodwork or baking a cake, keep your mind in the creative mode.
8. Work Your Hobby – Hobbies are meant to help you relax, so get lost in your hobby for an hour. It gives your mind a rest and a break from the fact that you have writer’s block.
9. Exercise – A walk, a workout, yoga or whatever suits you. It all helps to maintain the body and clear the mind.
10. Change Your Environment – The beach, the park, a bench in the garden. Nothing stimulates or inspires the mind as much as the natural beauty that surrounds us.
11. Bonus – Take a nap. We solve many a problem in La-La Land.

Recognize It and Move On

Do not let writer’s block cripple you. Recognize it for what it is: a pause in your writing process. It is important not to give up and abandon your writing. It happens to all writers at some point. Accept it, deal with it, and then, move on. But most of all, keep writing.

Find Michele Brouder’s books on Amazon.ca

This article first appeared on the Book-in-a-Week website 04/22/2016.