3 Simple Ways to Beat Writer’s Block
Relax. You got this.
Writer’s block plagues all of us from time to time. When it happens, most of us find something to do other than write, hoping it’ll clear itself up on its own. In my experience, however, it doesn’t work that way. You have to push through it, write something — anything — so you can get that word faucet flowing again.
But this obstacle to productivity can be dealt with effectively and without all the anxiety. A few tricks, and a dedication to writing every day, can make a huge difference in your output.
Be strict with your writing schedule — but flexible with your space.
I’m not a big believer anymore, as I used to be, in writing every day in the same spot. I suppose many authors do it in hope of recapturing their authorial mojo from the day before. Yet, if I’m struggling with motivation that day, a change of scenery is wonderful. Since I write on a laptop far more often now than a desktop computer, I’ll sit in different rooms of my house, on the deck, or even at the local library or coffeeshop to complete that day’s work. If it clears the logjam and gets things moving, I’m all for it.
Never end your day’s work at the end.
This is a big one that I believe many authors of prodigious output would agree on. Cold starts are difficult, if not downright impossible, especially if your mind is on your daily to-do list and the hundred or so other chores you’ve thought up to torture yourself.
To avoid the cold start, finish each day’s writing in the middle of a chapter or paragraph. Better yet, the middle of a sentence. This lets you pick up your train of thought next time right where you left off. Moreover, leaving notes on where you’d like your piece to go next will be a welcome relief to your tomorrow self.
Finally, don’t think about your writing when you’re not writing. Better still, don’t think about writing while you're writing.
If you’re anything like me, a right-brain creative with annoying left-brain tendencies, you probably think about your writing when you’re away from your computer. A lot.
This is perhaps the worst habit we authors need to fix. Let it go. Just shut it down. Let the boys in the basement do their job of constructing and refining your ideas for the next day’s work. The boys prefer to work in obscurity rather than under the harsh glare of your critical light, so leave them to it and go about your day. Besides, what’s the worst that can happen? If you’ve properly prepared yourself in advance for tomorrow’s work, you should have no problem diving back into your writing.
Mostly, it’s about trusting yourself, your instincts, and having faith that tomorrow is going to go as well as today.
You got this.
