It’s a battle every writer faces at some point. Fingers freeze on the keyboard and eyes go glassy as the cursor blinks at the top of a white screen. Your heart sinks. You want to write, to meet your deadline or bring your pivotal scene to life, but your mind is as blank as the page. For some, writer’s block is a constant struggle.
Like any writer, Kathleen O’Malley has had plenty of experience fighting writer’s block. O’Malley graduated from Taylor University with a degree in professional writing and has experience writing fiction, devotions, and reviews. She is currently working as a ghostwriter. Here are six ways she’s shared to help break through writer’s block.
#1. Preventative Care
One way to fight writer’s block is to stop it before it begins. Keep a pen and paper with you at all times to jot down random pieces of inspiration. These tidbits can be useful later when you find yourself stuck on a project. “I bought myself a pocket-sized notebook last fall and I’ve filled nearly 50 pages with notes and story plans that would otherwise have flitted back out of my head and been lost,” O’Malley shares. “If a conversation, storm cloud, funny quote or anything made me think ‘What if….?’ then I wrote it down.”
#2. Avoid Distractions
Though it can be helpful to take a break and come back with a fresh set of eyes, writers often talk themselves out of writing when they hit a minor snag by finding other things to do. Knowing when to fight distractions is an important part of preventing writer’s block. “ Saying no to doodling, or getting a snack, or researching a random history fact, or any of the twenty other things that cross my mind will get me back on track,” O’Malley says.
#3. Listen to Music
While this method may not work for everyone, background music can help some fend off writer’s block. Not only can music be used to block out distractions, but it can also help stimulate the imagination. “Although I occasionally need silence,” O’Malley says, “it helps me to listen to music that captures the heart of what I’m writing. ”Listening to movie soundtracks or other instrumental music can be especially helpful because it’s usually designed to bring images to mind and doesn’t include distracting lyrics.
#4. Pictures as Inspiration
Like music, images can stir the imagination and generate ideas. Sites like Pinterest can be used to find character and set designs. This method can be especially helpful for fiction writers. “I use Pinterest to find pictures of characters and scenes I already have,” O’Malley shares. “These pictures renew my desire to write, which helps me move past writer’s block.”
#5. Use the Buddy System
Sometimes the best way to get your ideas flowing again is to talk through problem spots with a trusted friend. The process of brainstorming out loud and trading comments and ideas can unlock solutions you may not have found on your own. It can also be helpful to see your piece from a reader’s perspective.
#6. Just Keep Writing
One reason many struggle with writer’s block is that they worry their writing won’t match a certain standard they’ve set for themselves. When your mind freezes because you don’t like the way a sentence sounds, or you’re worried about how your piece will be received, it’s important to remember that no one writes a perfect first draft. Just write whatever comes to your mind, however inelegant, and worry about crafting it into a masterpiece later. “After all,” O’Malley says, “I have to write the words before I can edit them.”
