Facing Writer’s Block

We’ve all been there.

Sooner or later, we’ll all be there again.

Fingers hovering over the keys while we gnaw on our lower lip. Behind us, the clock ticks like a series of hand grenades detonating against the wall. In front of us, the cursor is blinking on the page, no further down the screen than it was fifteen minutes ago.

I’ve lost it. I don’t know what to write. In fact, I’m not sure I even know HOW to write anymore.

I know the feeling, but let me assure you haven’t lost it. You DO know how to write and you are still capable of putting incredible things on the page.

There are plenty of writers out there who have their own opinions about the nature of writer’s block. Rather than getting into the why behind it, I would like to use this post to offer a handful of practical suggestions for how to work through it when it does strike. While it may be helpful to try to diagnose the underlying cause, I do think that sometimes writer’s block just…happens. In these instances, it can help to treat it the way you would treat a common cold, employing tried-and-true methods to alleviate the symptoms instead of trying to pinpoint exactly where or how we picked up the bug in the first place.

Sound good?

Strategy 1: Sit with it

I know from experience that sometimes it is enough simply to face the blank screen and sit in the discomfort of not knowing what to write. Even when the words are coming slowly or falteringly (tap-tap-tap…delete-delete-delete), sometimes those trial-and-error words are the trickle that leads to the whole dam bursting apart and letting the river through again. Give yourself permission to not be “productive” and try to get back to the idea of playing with words, enjoying them.

Strategy 2: Do something else

The opposite of sitting with it, sometimes the brain simply needs to focus on something else for a while. I highly recommend doing something physical to get your blood pumping with a bit more vigour. In addition, be sure to do things you find relaxing—things that make you feel more like yourself. What are some of those activities that make your shoulders ease down and your breath flow easier? What makes your feel peaceful? Happy? Alive? Do those things.

Strategy 3: Check your motivation

Are you having a hard time writing because you have lost interest in the chapter—or even in the premise as a whole? There’s no shame in this, but it is important to recognize the fact. Ask yourself: what would it take to get me interested again? I like thinking of it from a reader’s perspective: If I were reading this book, what would I be wanting to happen next, maybe without even knowing I wanted it? Does the story need a twist? A new character? An exciting setting? You might end up introducing something that wasn’t in your original plan and suddenly you have a new problem to figure out—but a thrilling one, a compelling one. In my most recent book, I decided partway through that one of my characters’ lawyers was trying to kill her. This wasn’t part of the plan, but I thought, If I was a reader, I would want it to be her lawyer. Now, I have to figure out the logistics of how that will work in the story, but I know in my core it is the right twist to throw into the mix. I’m excited to connect the dots.

Strategy 4: Talk about it

If you have something in particular that is holding up your progress, it can be very helpful to talk it through out loud with a friend or family member. Tell them about the problem. Use them as a sounding board for your ideas, and listen if they have any ideas to share with you! It might take someone OUTSIDE of the project to help you see the perfect next step.

Strategy 5: Trust your brain and give it time

Our brains are incredible machines. Even when we are focused on a particular task, they are running all sorts of programs in the background, including but not limited to circulating our blood, digesting our food, and figuring out our writing projects. Sometimes, our brilliant brains just need some time to come up with the next step, and that’s okay! Don’t beat yourself up when you find yourself stuck. Keep a sense of humour, do what you can, and then rest knowing that, more likely than not, your brain is on the case. As the fabulous lyrics go in Jimmy Eat World’s “The Middle”:

It just takes some time

Little girl, you’re in the middle of the ride

Everything, everything’ll be just fine

Everything, everything’ll be alright

Do you have any different strategies for dealing with writer’s block? If so, feel free to share them in the comment section below!