Hey Blocked Writer,

You have a deadline, but no fresh ideas. You're panicking and probably thinking of just using some old work and handing it in for a grade, but the funny thing is you know that old piece is trash and you should probably burn it instead of handing it in.

I feel you. I know you. I am you.

Being a writer is honestly rough. I mean, we constantly churn out art, whole pieces of ourselves, and sometimes we get stuck. I have pieces on my laptop that have amazing titles and one sentence because after writing that inspiring basically one and a half lines, my brain stopped functioning.

These pieces have two fates. 1) They never get looked at again and are laid to rest in my recycle bin or 2) They become gold, after changing it and writing a whole different story.

Having writer's block and having a deadline is THE ACTUAL WORST. Not only are you strapped for time and most likely you're reading this instead of working on the piece that's probably due in an hour, but you have no clue what you want to write about and have probably had this deadline for at least a week.

You know you have to get cracking on it but you also know that no amount of bs that you can write down and make seem legit is going to work right now.

Here's normally what I do, and maybe it'll help you. Listen to only the best jams, whether they be throwbacks or whatever is popular on the radio right now.

Play whatever feels right and maybe it'll inspire a piece. Take a few minutes to NOT think about your deadline. The more you think about it, the more you are going to panic and nothing is going to get done.

Also, not thinking about the deadline forces your brain to focus on something else and you can possibly write about that thought too. Lay down and let your mind wander for a minute.

By a minute I mean actually a minute, turn on a calm meditation song and focus on the music, let your mind get lost in it but do not fall asleep. I've come to learn that listening to calm, wordless music actually helps me think of ideas because my mind starts asking questions about the world around us.

Lastly, what you can do is open up a document and just start typing. It can be absolute nonsense, but start writing. Eventually, you are going to get a golden nugget of brilliance that you can run with and could be anywhere from decent to absolute genius.

Writer's block is evil. It's the devil on your shoulder that whispers in your ear, "You have no ideas, so let's not do anything." Don't listen to it. That little thing's a jerk.

Honestly, we all have our own little routines to help pull us out of that lump. Use what works for you. Don't worry. You got this. Kick that deadline's butt!