10 Innovative Strategies to Crush Writer’s Block Now
It’s beat writer’s block o’clock
Staring at a blank screen and unable to write a single word? It’s a feeling all too familiar for many of us. Nothing is more discouraging than gearing up to write to find your fingers motionless.
But what if there was a systematic way to break through writer’s block and unlock your creativity?
Writer’s block — or the lack of motivation and ideas to write — can be a common struggle for writers. Fortunately, there are multiple strategies writers can use to overcome this issue and get back on track.
In recent years, some ideas have become cliche; for instance, taking a break to cope with writer’s block.
Seriously, if I had a penny for each time, someone urged me to take a break when feeling stuck…well, I certainly wouldn’t have to worry about paying taxes anymore.
Don’t get me wrong. Taking a break from writing is an essential part of working on any project, no matter what it is. But if you find yourself in a rut after a break, it can be tough to break through and return to being productive.
Common writing block strategies are helpful, but they may only sometimes be enough to bust through your mental block. To get your creativity flowing, here are some fresh, innovative strategies to crush writer’s block for good:
1. Write daily
I know this sounds counterintuitive. Shouldn’t you take a break if you’re struggling with writer’s block? Not necessarily. Research suggests that those who write daily experience less writing block than those who do so less consistently. Writing every day can also help you establish a routine and create a habit of consistent flow, leading to improved writing quality in the long run. It’s simple; setting aside time to write regularly can lead to gradual improvements in the frequency of writer’s block and the overall quality of your writing.
2. Affirmation practice
Part of the reason writer’s block prevents you from writing is due to a self-perpetuating cycle called “self-doubt.” We’re all familiar with self-doubt in one way or another. And often, we cannot stop it from happening.
Let’s consider an example:
You begin your mental block with a simple thought: “I don’t want to write because I can’t think of anything to put down on paper.”
Negative beliefs can quickly get out of control and lead to an overgeneralized view of your character, such as “I must suck at writing,” “I can’t do anything right,” and “I’m worthless.”
It’s one big spiral.
Make the power of positive thinking work for you by actively affirming your capabilities. You can break through the mental block you’ve developed by replacing negative thoughts with positive affirmations about your talents.
Positive affirmations about your abilities are essential for self-confidence and motivation. Writing is a beautiful art that takes time, effort, and dedication to master. However, negative self-talk can be debilitating, leaving little room for creativity. With a little effort, you can let go of your fears and take the next step toward becoming a better writer. Embrace your gifts, and never forget that you can create amazing things.
3. Draw something
Drawing can be a great way to inject new ideas into your writing. I was experiencing writer’s block when I first started writing this article, so I decided to draw to mix things up. You met my little doodle a bullet point earlier.
Drawing is a great way to break up the monotony and get your creative juices flowing. It’s no surprise that doodling helped me overcome my writer’s block. Not only does doodling engage both halves of the brain, providing a creative distraction that breaks through mental blocks, but research also suggests that it can enhance memory and attention.
One study found that doodlers could remember 29% more information than non-doodlers. Drawing can help focus the mind and increase creativity, allowing it to explore different ideas in a low-pressure atmosphere. Overall, doodling is a valuable tool to break through writer’s block.
4. Turn brainstorming into a game
Usually, when we’re stuck, it’s because we’ve been doing the same task the same way for far too long. The Six Thinking Hats concept, developed by Edward de Bono, encourages us to think from unique perspectives. It involves creating clever solutions to problems by wearing ‘thinking hats,’ each representing diverse thoughts.
The six hats are:
- White for factual information ⚪
- Red for feelings 🔴
- Black for disadvantages ⚫
- Yellow for advantages 🟡
- Green for fresh ideas 🟢
- Blue for the organization of ideas 🔵
You don’t have to use hats every time; just using different colors of paper to break down your thoughts can work.
This creative way of brainstorming can make abstract concepts more tangible, help us think more objectively, and develop innovative ideas.
5. Treat writing like a problem to be solved
If you find yourself stuck, think of writing as a problem-solving activity. Break it down into smaller pieces and tackle them one at a time. By focusing on a single aspect of the writing, you can avoid feeling overwhelmed by the work. For example, you might improve sentence fluency by finding ways to enhance each sentence.
Another way to solve writing problems is to use a mind map. A mind map is a way to diagram ideas and connections visually. Grab a pen and paper to get started. But there are also lots of mind map makers online. Check out MindMeister here, which is one of my personal favorites.
6. Try the Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique is a popular method for conquering productivity. First, set a timer for 25 minutes and focus solely on one task. After the timer goes off, you take a short break for 3–5 minutes to relax and reset. Then, set the timer for another 25 minutes and repeat the process. Doing this for 4–5 cycles will help you stay focused and motivated to finish your task. Additionally, you can use this technique to break large tasks into more manageable chunks.
7. Use AI
AI-driven writing assistants like ChatGPT or ChatSonic can help writers become more efficient and effective by providing word and sentence structure suggestions, spelling and grammar checks, and suggesting unique topics and ideas. They can also help writers stay organized by keeping track of thoughts and keywords. Getting extra help from AI is a great starting point when you feel overwhelmed and uninspired.
Below, I asked WriteSonic’s ChatSonic to brainstorm blog ideas.
❗Word of caution: don’t rely too much on AI to write your paragraphs. AI is still far from sounding completely human and can result in plagiarism❗
If used wisely, this method can kickstart your writing when brainstorming during writer’s block.
8. Have a conversation
Chatting can be a great way to break through writer’s block and refocus your energy. Discussing with a friend or family member can help concentrate your attention away from the task and allow the mind to reset. One can explore ideas they hadn’t previously considered by discussing the concept or problem. Having someone to talk to can also provide much-needed encouragement and support during creative frustration. You’ll notice immediately that conversations give new perspectives on old ideas and help clarify your next steps.
9. Explore a creative hobby
Writer’s block can be challenging to overcome. Still, exploring creative pursuits that help unlock our brains’ creativity can help significantly. Drawing, painting, crocheting, and playing an instrument are hobbies that help spark ideas when we are stuck. Taking a break from writing to explore something new can be beneficial to refocusing our attention and allowing us to approach the problem with a fresh perspective. Developing a new hobby or skill can be as rewarding as finally having the words flow onto the page.
10. Try Oblique Strategies
Oblique Strategies were initially created by musician Brian Eno and artist Peter Schmidt to help artists break their creative ruts. On a set of cards, you flip through suggestions that can help spark creativity. The strategies help break through everyday thought patterns and spur innovative thinking.
For example, I generated a strategy on this website and received the following suggestion: The most important thing is the thing most easily forgotten. Hmm…I already have some ideas for that one.
They can be used to generate ideas, hone existing thoughts, and find new ways of approaching a problem. Using these strategies, writers can push past their writer’s block to create their best work.
Conclusion
Breaking through writer’s block can be a daunting challenge. However, it doesn’t need to be. With some mindfulness and creativity, you can break through your mental barrier and experience more flow while writing.
The best way to reduce writer’s block is to write daily using different techniques. There are more than I listed above, so feel free to explore and see what works best for you!
In addition, remember to write what you know and love. Write what you’re passionate about, and you’ll be more likely to succeed.
As you continue to work on your writing, you’re sure to find more creative outlets to help break through writer’s block. The possibilities are endless!
For more blog writing help and advice, take advantage of free online resources like my articles on 20 Free Online Resources to Practice Your UX Writing Skills, the Beginner’s Guide to Simplifying Your Writing, and How to Use Keywords to Maximize your Blog’s SEO Impact.
