How to get out of writer’s block: 7 ways to overcome it

Pretty much every writer has experienced it. The blank page staring at you, the flashing cursor, the feeling that your mind is suddenly empty of ideas and words. Working out how to get out of writer’s block can feel like an impossible task.

It’s in the nature of it: writer’s block feels like a dead end. A frustrating place where words refuse to flow, and creativity is nowhere to be found. 

But as tough as it is, writer’s block can disappear as fast as it arrived. Pretty much any successful professional writer will have a process for overcoming writer’s block, though they might disagree on what it is and why it happens. 

Help with writer’s block and fear

Blocks are very often down to fear of not being good enough. Especially if you’re just beginning fiction writing, though it happens to experienced writers too. 

As veteran American novelist Erica Jong puts it “Blocks usually stem from the fear of being judged. If you imagine the world listening, you’ll never write a line.”

There are other reasons for being blocked (more on those later), but it’s probably safe to assume that fear of not being good enough (in other words, your mind gremlins) is at least part of it. Even if you think you’ve got those feelings of inadequacy deeply buried. 

But writer’s block is not a dead end. And it can be pushed through.

7 tips for overcoming writer’s block

1. Write regularly. Even when you don’t want to.

Consistency can be the key to beating writer’s block. Can you set a specific time each day to dedicate yourself to writing, and stick to it? If you can’t write every day (I can’t!) think about what you can do. Even if it’s a single 30 minute session each week. 

A regular routine can train your brain to switch into writing mode. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll never feel blocked. What you’re doing is committing to forcing yourself to write through the block because ‘it’s writing time’. 

Don’t worry about the quality, or whether you’re inspired. Just keep writing.

2. Try free writing

While writing plans and plotting exercises can be great, they can also end up becoming a block. Especially if you’re not sure your plan or plot is the right one. 

Divorce yourself from your plans and free write instead. Set a timer for 10-15 minutes and simply write whatever comes to mind, even if it’s nothing to do with your current writing project. 

At worst, you’ll no longer be facing a blank page. At best, you’ll feel newly inspired. And if you are, extend the timer and keep going. Maybe you won’t have progressed your novel, but you’ll end up with a short story or piece of flash fiction that you love instead. That’s worth a lot, and it definitely counts as beating writer’s block. You’ve written something, even if it’s not the same project. 

3. Try planning your writing

Contrary to the previous point, if you’re struggling to beat wwriter’s block it might be because you’re not spending enough time on planning and plotting. 

Especially if you’re writing a novel. Short stories can generally be allowed to take their own shape as you write. Novels can too, but for some writers, it’s very easy to struggle with getting started without some kind of overarching plan. 

Master of his craft Stephen King is famous for not plotting, preferring his stories to emerge organically. And overly complex, detailed plotting can make a story feel wooden. But many writers feel rudderless and frustrated without some kind of plan.

4. Stop writing

Sounds counter intuitive, but if you’ve ended up in a place where you’re just frustrated and wound up, the best thing to do as a writer’s block cure is to give yourself a break from writing. 

Sit on a park bench and watch the world go by. Linger over a coffee in a pavement cafe. Take a run in the hills. Whatever works for you to reset and recharge your brain so you can focus. 

But: don’t use this as a procrastination technique. Be honest with yourself about whether you really need a break, or whether you should push through and try and write (and then take the break). 

5. Read

Everyone knows that good writers read. And if you’re struggling to write, reading is a better alternative activity than most. 

You could choose to pick up a novel that’s similar to the one you want to write. This can help inspire you, and remind you of why you’ve chosen to write your story. 

Alternatively, read something totally different. If you’re really struggling with confidence, this might be the better option, as you’re less likely to compare your story with theirs. 

6. Use writing prompts

I hesitate to include this, as there are a lot of junk prompts around on the internet. The Reddit writing prompts forum for example, is fun to browse, but rarely particularly useful for anyone who wants to finish a well-crafted story (rather than just playing around – though there’s nothing wrong with that). 

But quality writing prompts can be helpful to get your creative juices going. Rather than random internet or social media prompts, you could:

• Take your main character. Imagine you’re meeting them for the first time and strike up a conversation (such as on a bus or in a bar). What happens? What do you notice? What do they say? 

• Find an interesting news story. Think about how your main character would react to this story. What would they think or say about it? 

• Take a scene from your story and rewrite it from a different point of view. If it’s first person, convert it to third or vice versa. 

There are many others. You can probably think of a few yourself (or let me know and I’ll help). 

7. Forget about perfect. Just write something.

Your first draft doesn’t need to be flawless. The reality is, it never will be. But that’s OK, because the purpose of a first draft is to get something written. 

Something that you can edit, shape and rewrite until it’s done. And while that’s not necessarily an easy thing to do, it’s something you can do. After all, have you ever heard of ‘editor’s block’? 

But what if none of this works to overcome writer’s block?

Some writers believe that writer’s block happens because the project you’re working on isn’t the right one. 

As Charles Bukowski said “If it doesn’t come roaring out of you in spite of everything, don’t do it.”

The truth for most writers is probably that writer’s block is sometimes due to unjustified fear (and therefore something that you need to push through using tips like those above). 

And sometimes it’s a sign that you’re not quite on the right track. Which doesn’t necessarily mean your story is ‘bad’ or needs to be scrapped. It might just mean that it needs rejigging in some way. 

Only you know which it is. But if, after trying all these 7 tips you still feel blocked, bored and disjointed, it might be time to put your project aside and try something new. You can, after all, always come back to it if inspiration hits.