Tackling Writer's Block: Part 2 (Patreon)

One of the most common questions I'm asked on social media is: How do I deal with writer's block?

I addressed this issue in a previous post, but it's such a big problem that I thought I'd continue discussing. Instead of encouraging you to write through it (the "tough love" angle, which I still stand by!), I'll lay out some specific techniques for you to use in your daily writing.

The truth is, writing's hard. Some days, you'll lose the battle. Be sure to forgive yourself on those days. But here are some tips to try before you throw in the towel and take a well-earned rest. Please try whichever suggestions look useful to you!

60 Second Check-In

I use this technique every day, multiple times a day, before I start writing. It may sound simple, but it's been invaluable to my process.

Close your eyes for 60 seconds and just breathe. Take note of how your body feels. Are you hungry? Thirsty? Sore? Tired?

After your check-in, do what you need to do to feel comfortable. Grab a snack. Drink some water. Change your clothes. Stretch. Take a shower. Do whatever tiny chore is bugging the heck out of you.

Taking care of yourself before you sit down in front of an empty word document will help you get to work a lot faster.

Journaling Your Fears

This may sound simple, but it's really helpful for creatives who have a very loud "inner critic". You know, the voice in your head that says you're not good enough.

For this exercise, grab a pen and paper, and draw a line down the middle of the page. Then, write all your fears on the left side. Write supportive statements to counteract those fears on the right.

It should look like this:

Follow The Inspiration

Struggling with a specific project? Take a break and write something else. 

I promise, it isn't "cheating". Writing two pages in a less-urgent work with a further-off deadline is still way better than writing zero pages in your more important project.

Share With Friends

This is one of the most effective techniques I have ever used. Share your work with a friend as you're writing it! On days when I don't feel like working in my latest novel, my friend is there to ask, "When are you gonna update?!? What happens next!?! I NEED TO KNOW."

Their enthusiasm will infect you and make you a more productive writer. (Be sure to read and gush over their work in return if they are also a writer!)

Clean Screen

Websites like Calmlywriter and Hemingwayapp strip your screen down to the bare bones (plus they autosave for you).

Scrivener's Focus mode is great too. Look how clean it is!

That's literally it. There are no buttons or bobs unless you move your mouse to the bottom and look for them.

Pen And Paper

Many writers espouse this, but there's something to be said for writing longhand, on pen and paper. I don't know what it is about the physical act of writing, but sometimes it can unblock you when nothing else will.

Forgive Yourself

Difficult, but so important! Sometimes, our guilt over not writing for several days (weeks, months, even years) can paralyze us. We don't want to resume because we've been away from it for so long.

What if it's bad?

What if I've lost my skills?

What if people are so annoyed I abandoned my project that it's not worth it to resume?

Hear these thoughts out, and then gently let them go. It's okay if you took a months-long sabbatical. Maybe your mental health wasn't great, or you were busy with some other area of your life. That doesn't mean you wasted all your time, and it doesn't mean you shouldn't try to write again!