Writer's block: the bane of every person to ever pen words to paper. This devious ailment to the creative mind is one that sneaks up like quicksand and pulls you under its influence, leaving you frustrated and unable to express what you want to write. Though you may feel like you'll never write again, writer's block is not uncurable: this article (written by someone who is currently struggling with writer's block) will attempt to list a few solutions that may help your creative flow to begin once again.
1. Freewrite.
This tip is one that works for many struggling writers. Just putting pen to paper or fingers to the keyboard and writing whatever comes to mind can help to get a creative flow beginning, and getting ideas out, even in their raw forms, can start your brain working in a creative way. Taking phrases that have been swirling in your mind, even if they seem insignificant, and getting them out on paper sometimes can begin something great.
2. Change up your environment.
Sometimes feeling stuck is all in your surroundings. Taking a walk or going to write in a new place can make all the difference if you're struggling with writer's block. Exercising, in general, is a good way to get the blood pumping and blood flow is always a good and healthy thing for writers to consider if they're in a slump.
3. Look at prompts.
For those of us who want to write but have no idea what to do, looking at prompts can be a remedy. There are millions of ideas online for stuck writers such as yourself to start writing off of. These are great starting points that can get your creativity flowing and help the process of idea formation to fire up. One of my personal favorite prompts to start with is this: "He woke up with a headache, two pairs of broken glasses, and one shoe. He didn’t wear glasses, and the shoe wasn’t his, so this presented him with something of a conundrum."
4. Read it aloud or ask a friend.
Once you've got something down on paper that you think you can work with but doesn't seem quite right, reading it aloud can help work out the mechanics you're stumbling on. Reading something aloud helps you to find the phrases that can seem awkward or could be worded differently to make the sentences run smoothly. Asking someone else to read it aloud can also help to illuminate these problems, and having a second set of eyes assess what you've written can bring in new perspectives and ideas you may not have thought of before.
5. Take a break.
This may not sound like a solution to those of us who haven't bothered to look at a piece of paper in frustration for weeks, but writers who find themselves staring at what they're attempting to write for too long are going to over-exhaust themselves and their creativity. Taking a break, even if it's for five minutes, and stepping back from your workstation, can make a world of difference and allow your brain, thoughts, and creativity to recharge.
The most important thing to remember about writer's block is that you shouldn't give up. Writer's block is frustrating, yes, but can be overcome with perseverance and a few changes like these. Practice is the best way to make your writing great, and it won't last forever. Good luck and happy writing!
