How to Get Over Writer's Block

Most writers get writer's block. Suddenly your thought processes cease. You seem to have lost your concentration. You have no idea what to write. It is scary, especially when you are in the middle of writing a long novel. The following are simple, but not foolproof, ways to overcome writer's block.

[edit] Steps

  1. Recognize that you have writer's block. When you have writer's block, no ideas spring to mind when you are writing and you are stuck for what to write. Understand that writer's block is easy to overcome, and there are many ways to get over it. Do not stoop to the idea that you will never write again.
  2. Get some ideas on paper without worrying about how they sound. The writing does not have to be polished; writers often have writer's block because they worry about the quality of their writing.
  3. Make a Mind Map. Write a random word in the middle of some paper and branch off as many ideas as you can from that one word. It will get you thinking and help you come up with ideas.
  4. Let it sit for a day or two and then come back to it.
  5. Try a change of pace. For example, if you have a long, action-packed sequence, try going over to a reasoned conversation. Be sure that the changeover makes sense.
  6. Look over what you have written and ask yourself, "Does this seem to be leading up to anything?"
  7. Decide whether the situation truly feels real. You may have writer's block because the situation doesn't seem realistic to you. Don't be afraid to rewrite parts of the story to make it more natural.
  8. Try starting from another part of your story. If you are having trouble with the beginning, write the middle or end. After you have written another part of the story, things may start to fall into place where you were before. Some established authors, such as Stephenie Meyer of Twilight fame, do this.
    • Writing out of order may require more familiarity with the plot so that everything makes sense from start to finish. At the same time, it may help you think out the details when you cannot decide what to do with your story. Writing a good ending while you think of about the rest of your story will help structure it.
  9. Write something totally different. It may surprise you how much you like it! A monologue, song, poem, or even taking a short amount of time to write a scene from a completely different story will get your writer's blood flowing again.


Alternate Method

  1. Get a manuscript book and a pen or a pencil.
  2. Sit at a place where you feel comfortable, whether it's a coffee shop, or your room.
  3. Open the manuscript book, and write down a name, the first name that comes to mind, at the top of the page.
  4. Under the name, start making a list, ask yourself questions like: Who is this person? How does he/she look like? Does this person have any siblings, if yes then who?
  5. Allow the character to form in your mind, see the character in your head, become the character.
  6. Then try to visualize the life of the character and write it down.
  7. When you are done with the list, read through it and hopefully you will be able to place this character in a scenario, that might spark the idea for a story...


[edit]Alternate Method 2

  1. Try reading a book. It could help with inspiration. Reread a book that you enjoy if you want to.
  2. If you reread your story or other previous stories, it might spark something in your brain. Inspiration is a mysterious thing ; it can come back at any time.


[edit] Tips

  • Your friends can help you come up with new ideas when you don't have any. Try chatting with them about some of the scenes you're having trouble with.
  • Do a mock interview with your characters to practice characterization, or design some character sheets for them. Understanding your character is a key part of writing!
  • Try meditating. It may help your mind to work again and recover from writer's block.
  • Play some music appropriate to the scene in your story. Music is a great way to break down that writer's block; listen to what you enjoy, but don't let the music become a serious distraction. You need to spend most of your time writing, not singing along or dancing.
  • Pick some songs that you like and assign them to your story. If you feel that a certain song reminds you of something in your story then listen to it a lot! Take a break and make a playlist for your story to get those creative juices flowing!
  • If you can't do any of those things, just read (reading can give you some many ideas about how to write and what to write) or take a break; you may need it. Try to write everyday, but do not force yourself too much. Your writing will not benefit from it.
  • If you enjoy art, try drawing one of the characters, scenes, places, objects, or anything else from your story; it will really help with your writer's block. Designing your envisioned book cover may help you get excited about your story and revitalize your inspiration for it.
  • You can use these steps to visualize a storyline, it works just as well.
  • You don't HAVE to use a manuscript book, use what you feel comfortable with.
  • Relax with some music for a change.
  • Travel, look around, take in your surroundings and use what you see. Are people mean or nice at the club, at the cafe, at the park?
  • When stuck on a character, imagine what they look like, what they're wearing, or how they act.
    • Go to a quiet place with a pen you especially like, a pad or notebook that is comfortable and familiar, and just start writing. Write out what you need to do today. Write out a quarrel you had with your husband, wife, child, or neighbor. Write out the ideal scenario for a meal on the patio with a few friends. Write anything except about the thing you are "blocked" about. Just write, fast and furiously, and from that writing you will find the thread, or the fuel to continue with your project unimpeded.

[edit] Warnings

  • Remember that it becomes more and more difficult to overcome writer's block as you wait longer and longer to start writing.
  • Don't stress over how difficult your writer's block may be to overcome. If you keep thinking about it, it will stick around longer.


[edit] Sources and Citations

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Categories:Ideas and Inspiration

Authors

Acebrock, Anonymous, Brigitta M., Lilac_kisses, Sondra C, Rob S, Krystle, WannabeWriter, Travis Derouin, Maluniu, Ally F, Webster, Andy C Zhang, Lillian May, Jack H, Daniel Lambert, BR, Teresa
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 9,625 times.

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