It seems like writing is a universal learning technique in college. Whether you’re on the premed track (bless your hearts), studying to be an engineer or pursuing a major in English, you are sure to come across at least one assignment that requires you to put pen to paper – or finger to keyboard.
And, consequentially, there’s a good chance you’ve experienced a writer’s kryptonite: the ever-so dreaded writer’s block.
Writer’s block is an age-old tale. In fact, one of the more notable cases is that of poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge, who lamented over his writer’s block in his notebook in 1804: “…so completely has a whole year passed, with scarcely the fruits of a month!... I have done nothing!”
More recently, Game of Thrones author George RR Martin has also struggled with writer’s block. But you do not need to be an author, poet or anything of that likeness to face this problem. You could simply be in the middle of writing an article or an essay when, all of a sudden, your mind goes blank. You can’t seem to connect the dots in your head to continue on, and are literally at a loss of words.
For me, the worst part about writer’s block is that I know it’s all in my head – Psychology Today goes so far so as to call it a “myth.” I’d think that, as a mental dilemma, it would be easy to manage, but the more I try to control it, the more prominent it becomes.
As a journalism major, I’ve faced writer’s block more times than I can count, and have found that it typically comes about for one of the following reasons: I am getting distracted, I am feeling stressed or I am just worn out. And from what I’ve read online, my conclusions are actually pretty consistent with what others say may cause this writing “dry spell.”
Finally understanding where writer’s block can stem from, I began to test out techniques to see how it can best be overcome.
The tactics always vary from situation to situation, but I found a good first go-to is to pause, look away from your work and take a deep breath. By doing so, you give your eyes and brain a much-needed quick break; however, that may not be enough, and you might have to actually close your computer or notebook and take a walk. If you’re worried about wasting time, pack up your bag and walk elsewhere to continue working – sometimes a change of scenery can do the trick, too.
For the times when you’re feeling burnt out, try hitting the gym. Your body will release endorphins that can help you feel happier, less anxious more motivated.
If you’re writing a piece that’s less research-based and more opinion-based, try browsing the news to see if there are any topics that catch your eye and act as a launching pad into a topic to write about.
Or, for more source-based assignments, read what other people have said about the topic. Who knows? You might find a point that you agree with and want to expand on, or completely disagree with and are ready to argue.
You could also try listening to music, watching videos or simply free writing to get the creative juices flowing.
And don’t be afraid to let your mind wander. You’re better off letting your thoughts drift than hyper-focusing on your writer’s block, which can definitely spike your stress levels.
Remember, writing isn’t easy. It requires a ton of thought, patience and creativity, and it’s totally normal to come to an impasse. But don’t get discouraged, and listen to your body because sooner or later, inspiration will come knocking and the words will be flowing again.
