The 3 Tips to Overcome Writer’s Block

It’s possible for writers to feel they might have contracted a bad case of ‘writer’s block.’

An example of writer’s block might be staring at a screen or blank page for a really long time.

Or, getting a sudden urge to vacuum between your mattresses instead of do a stress test for your plot.

Supposedly, this happens to all writers, but I remain suspect of this sweeping statement.

Remember the rule of thumb for generalizations and sweeping statements?

If someone says all, always, or never, they’re almost always wrong.

The cause of ‘writer’s block’ might be only having divided focus. 

I say ‘only’ part tongue-in-cheek because there can be very good reasons why your thoughts are running in different directions. 

1. You remember you left your car running, and it’s been over an hour. You feel it’s more responsible to take care of that than to finish a chapter.
   
   
2. You forgot to eat, and now you’re thinking about how to fit a snack into your writing routine.
   
   
3. The latest episode of your favorite mystery is on soon and you wonder if you can realistically write 5,000 words in 45 minutes. Your brain connected something in your story to a recent headline, so you spend your writing time thinking about all the real-life ramifications as they apply to your story arcs. Then you reread the news again, looking for updates.
   
   
4. The playlist you created for your writing time has a different tone from the scene you’re writing. You think of more appropriate songs that would fit better, then look up the year it was released. 
   
   
5. Kids. Need I say more?
   
   
6. Pets. Again, this is self-explanatory.

“In the middle of writing something you go blank and your mind says: ‘No, this is it.’ You’re being warned, aren’t you? Your subconscious is saying ‘I don’t like you anymore…”- Author Ray Bradbury

Let’s examine 3 ways to overcome writer’s block:

1. Leave certain parts of your text or story blank, then go forward with the rest. Put a placeholder in the spot where you know you need to go back and address it. I use a yellow highlighter to mark the spot.
   
   
2. Set yourself a deadline. Some people perform better under stress.
   
   
3. Reward yourself if you meet your writing goals for the day or week.

Good luck and happy writing!