Writers Block (& how to ‘solve’ it)
All right, we all know the dreaded feeling when your just sitting in front of a screen, for hours at a time, just having no idea what to write. Well then, hello Writers Block!
Right, hear me out, in all honesty you’ve probably never heard of me. I’ll introduce myself as The Fiction, my pseudonym, to be exact. And let me tell you, I’ve been through enough writers blocks to last a lifetime. Back and forth. Continuously. Ever-lasting.
There’s gonna be some good and bad news for you, to be exact. Bad news incoming:
You can’t ‘fix’ writers block.
But
You can push it along it’s way.
What I meant was speeding the whole process up — writers block is an inevitable thing bound to happen to any writer, however you can get back on the road. It’ll come back eventually, in a month or maybe a year. The trick is to be prepared to take it head on when it comes your way.
What Causes Writers Block?
Writers block can be caused by a variety of things, these include:
Burnout — Man, I think you’ve pushed yourself a little too hard, don’t you think?
Resentment — The best thing to do if you don’t like a story is let it rest peacefully and start anew. I’ve done this at least five times!
Dots and Spots — Just dots and spots of tiredness isn’t it? It’ll pass! Maybe it’s time to get back into your good habits.
Confusion — Oh dear, where’d the plot go? Maybe it’s time to sit and rethink!
Rituals
Yes, rituals, seems like a last resort doesn’t it?
What you want to do is discover your routine for when you begin. Everyone has one. Maybe it’s making a cup of tea beforehand. Or maybe you start by waking early — or staying up late. It could be clearing your desk or closing all your tabs and setting down your phone. Any of these do.
Try doing these routine things, telling your mind that you’re about to start writing, let it get prepared, think of something that’s going well in your draft. Are you on schedule? Is the draft of good quality? You could also think about your goals too.
Think, a lot.
Sit there and think.
This can take two different directions:
- Brainstorm — think of what’s about to happen, or maybe the end of your draft. have all the loose strings been tied? Have a cup of tea and sit there for a good hour every day instead of writing. Just write what you feel, good or bad. A lot of the times writers block happens because you just don’t know how you feel or where your going.
- Narrow path — If you’re really sure that your just feeling a bit down, you have a great story but you just can’t write it out. Try focusing on minute detail. Like option one sit there with a sheet of paper and a pen. Maybe right about a side character? Or even better, a character that you only see once or twice! Develop their story, even if you won’t ever reveal it. It’ll get your mind running. If you still can’t, think of something even s m a l l e r. Where are those tunics that your character wears made from? Why does that character wear glasses again? What foods do they like and why?
Get away, now!
Step back… that’s it… a bit more…
Sometimes the thing is the fact that you’re too focused on your story. While this is generally a good thing it could make you face a burnout unknowingly. So just step back and…
breathe.
Literally or figuratively. Don’t go near it. Have fun! Forget about it for a bit. I’d generally say around two weeks but don’t think about it, in the meantime — do creative things, such as painting. Get outside and touch some grass. When it’s time to go back you’ll feel it in your bones that you’re about to have a good time. If not, take a few more days off! Writing is your own job, you get to decide.
Still a no?
Sometimes writers block just happens.
If you’ve tried all of these and you still can’t write just let it be. Really. Writers block will slowly fade over time, although even if you feel like you’re alright it’s best to wait until that motivation hits again — or else you’ve fallen back into the rabbit hole again! Over the course of your writers block period don’t push yourself to hard. Maybe mingle a few of the ideas into your daily life to help rejuvenate yourself. But really, just relax.
It’s tough, really. But hey! It isn’t your fault! Just like a grey cloud — it’ll pass, slowly or quickly we don’t know. It may seem like forever but know it isn’t forever.
It’ll be over soon!
~ TheFiction
