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. Here are ten quick tips to deal with those dry periods that every writer is prone to and how to live with it.

1. Acceptance – Accept the fact that sometimes, you are not going to know what to write. That the well is going to be 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 or a blog post.
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 at the very least, 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. 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.

Do not let writer’s block cripple you. Recognize it for what it is: a pause or hurdle in the 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 move on. But most of all, keep writing.