Writer's block can be the worst, especially if you have a deadline. Here's 10 ways to get around the dreaded thought block and keep on writing.

1. Step away from your writing.

No matter what you're writing-essay, story, novel, whatever-sometimes walking away for an hour or so is a good way to refresh your thoughts.

2. Go for a walk.

Sometimes the clear air can help clear all the jumbled up ideas and thoughts in your head.

3. Eavesdrop.

As bad as it sounds, listening to other people's conversations can spark up some idea for whatever you're writing.

4. Read a book, magazine, newspaper, etc.

Looking at other people's writing styles and ideas can help you create your own.

5. Keep a thought journal.

To help avoid writer's block all together, keep a journal (or use the notepad on your phone) to keep ideas down once they come into your head. This way, once you get stuck you can refer back to past ideas and maybe something will work out.

6. Research.

Especially if you're writing an academic paper, research is key. Look up anything that has to do with what you want to write about, even the smallest sentence can spark up a whole topic.

7. Take a nap.

Sometimes you just need to relax, and taking a nap is the best way to refresh your mind.

8. Watch TV.

Any show can give you an idea-just make sure you make it your own to avoid copyright laws.

9. Listen to music.

A song can trigger feelings in a second, and sometimes songs can even describe the characters you're trying to write, or calm you down enough to help you restart the writing process.

10. Character development.

Instead of writing the actual story, work on developing characters instead. That way, you know how they will act and what they would say and do, moving the story along much faster than writing it as you go.

11. Sentence outline.

Another way to avoid writer's block all together is prewriting. A sentence outline is one of the best ways to plan out your writing is to make a complete outline of everything you plan to include.