What writer's block is and what it’s not
I cringe when I hear the term writer’s block, because it’s usually used by fear-mongering publishing gurus trying to pester you into writing your book so they can sell you book coaching services.
And I have just one word for that: gross.
That said, I’ve definitely had periods in my life where I’ve felt more in flow and other times where I’ve avoided writing and come up with every excuse for not doing the thing that I actually love most.
So, I’m defining ‘block’ not as a mindset obstacle to overcome, but really a period of time when creative work of any kind just isn’t forthcoming.
The reason I don’t want to get into mindset is that I feel there’s enough talk on the internet and social media – particularly among online entrepreneurs and business coaches – about what people are ‘doing wrong’ and how it’s seemingly their fault.
That’s not how I see it with so-called writer’s block.
It’s perfectly understandable why you might not be feeling super creative. The world is a lot. Putting a roof over your head, taking care of yourself and your loved ones, those are full-time jobs!
Creativity can feel like an add-on, a luxury, a nice-to-have.
On the other hand, it serves nobody if your bright ideas are kept under lock and key. In fact, I have a feeling that you expressing yourself could actually make the world a much better place. Your story ideas, your life lessons, your different perspective or angle on something could absolutely be what someone needs to read to feel that little bit better today.
So, I want to get you writing.
Unblocked?
Maybe.
But really more like unleashed!
And whether it starts as a trickle of blogs or articles, or you even have aspirations to write an entire book, like memoir or self help, my job is to help you get the words out of your head and onto the page.
That’s why I’ve put together a few quick tips to solve this thing we call writer’s block and get you moving forward.
Note:
Just quickly before we do that, let’s get the grammar debate out of the way. I wanted to call this blog ‘6 Ways to Overcome Writing Blocks’ to avoid the whole subject of where to put that damned apostrophe.
Are we talking one writer or loads of them? Surely, creative blocks are affecting writers, plural!
Maybe so, but the blogging powers-that-be insisted that ‘writer’s block’ would rank higher. I might be an editor, but I can still recognise that life’s too short to debate grammar options, especially when SEO is at stake!
Besides, grammar takes effort. And you know what's more fun than effort? Ease... even for an editor.
Long story short, I’m taking a punt on the singular writer.
So, my poor lone writer, what’s got you creatively blocked?
Let’s look at some reasons why your creative juices aren’t flowing right now.
Here are 4 reasons why writer’s block sets in
1. Lack of fresh ideas
Sometimes, when you’re daydreaming, I bet you have a whole raft of ideas for things you want to write about.
Then, when you actually sit down at your computer to write, when faced with a blank page – poooof! – those ideas vanish into thin air.
It’s so frustrating, isn’t it?
On the other hand, sometimes we’re just in a complete drought of ideas. Stuff is going on in our life and inspiration is nowhere to be found.
It’s almost like creativity can’t coexist with that fight-or-flight zone we find ourselves in.
The pressure of having to come up with ideas, particularly if you’re writing for your small business and need to ‘create content’, can mean you end up staring at a blank page for hours on end without producing anything of value.
2. Lack of writing process
Even if you have good ideas, what many blocked writers tend to find is they don’t have any confidence in the how.
What I mean by that is they haven’t yet identified a process that works for them for getting the words down and – crucially – out into the world.
Lots of people overthink process.
As a result, they feel inadequate whenever they write anything. Which means they can tend to procrastinate and avoid producing anything.
If you can’t identify any kind of creative process for your writing, stick around, because I’m going to help you create one.
3. Fear of failure and fear of success
Are you living in the imagined future where you are worried about failing in front of an audience? Or worse, coping with too much attention?
Regardless of whether the audience receiving your writing view it positively or negatively, showing people your work is a vulnerable place to be.
Often, the real fear boils down to visibility and wanting to be liked.
Will I be shamed for what I said? Which is really a placeholder for... Will I be shamed for who I am? Which is really a placeholder for... Am I good enough?
If you’re writing something deeply personal, it’s even more likely this fear is in play and keeping you from writing.
And while it’s a nice safe space to hang out in for a while, you’ve got better things to be doing than hiding. Like... writing!
I suspect, deep down, you know as well as I do that the world needs your voice. If you’re here, I would guess that you believe in the power of the pen.
So, it’s time to deal with this reason for not writing and try out some of the suggestions below to help you step into your rightful place as a writer.
4. Stuck in an uninspiring or unsupportive physical space
One of the biggest drains on our creativity can be our environment.
If you don’t love the place where you are trying to do your best work, if your office space is dark or cold or cluttered or noisy, if your desk is stuck in a corner with no light or view or space to move, then chances are you’ll find yourself avoiding going there.
It's less the case that you’re maybe avoiding writing and more that you’re just...
Avoiding the place where you write!
A comfortable environment extends beyond the physical work space to the time, method and even your own body.
For example, I’m not a morning person, so I’ll likely avoid writing if it’s scheduled in for the start of the day. I’m not at my sharpest in the morning, so I’m much more likely to procrastinate and get distracted by email and other demands.
In the afternoon, on the other hand, I do my best work and am more likely to protect that writing time from incoming distractions.
We’ll find any excuse not to write when we’re not physically comfortable, but it’s amazing what we try to put up with and press on. This is not how you’ll produce your best work. If you’re hungry, eat. If you’re cold, put a jumper on! Etc.
An uncomfortable, unsupportive or uninspiring physical space is a much-overlooked reason why writing isn’t happening.
Don’t underestimate how having the fundamentals in place can really increase your ability to find creative solutions, problem-solve and be productive.
Neuroscience even tells us expression is hard
Beyond these mindset- and environment-focused reasons, I found another sciencey reason too.
I’m not going to pretend to be across this subject area. However, since expression is my jam, I was intrigued by something I read in Simon Sinek's book Start With Why about where our emotions come from within the brain.
In a nutshell, he said that our linguistic ability is housed in a completely different part of the brain to our emotions. In fact, the limbic brain - the part where we ‘feel’ - has no capacity for language.
If you followed my same thought process, maybe you're like... mind... blown!
If you're more like, "Eeerrrrmmmm????" then let me explain.
Reading this made me realise the difficult of putting words to how we feel, including when writing.
Apparently, these abilities sit in different places in our brain, so being blocked when writing anything emotional seems almost self-evident.
It's no wonder that we have so much trouble with written expression.
Particularly when it's deeply personal, raw, impassioned, moving.
Still, I’m a believer that words can do justice to feelings. There are writers who beautifully articulate emotions and move their readers, making us feel like we’re right there in the moment. They can conjure such a vivid scene that you empathise completely with what they are wrote.
That’s what we’re all aiming for, right?
But if you’re intimidated or overwhelmed, it seems there’s good reason.
So, next time you're sitting in front of that blank screen willing words onto the page but hating every sentence you scratch together, please know you’re not alone.
I’m no expert in brains, but I do know this...
Everyone struggles with this stuff from time to time.
You’re also not blocked because you haven’t ‘found your voice’
Before I give you some ways to overcome the so-called 'dreaded writer’s block', I want to give you one more piece of reassurance.
You’re not blocked because you’re amateur in some way.
It’s not that you don’t deserve to be called a writer, or that you’re not a ‘real writer’, or that you need to ‘find your voice’.
Finding the right words to express your ideas is not something that slots into place when you turn pro. Every single writer out there – yes, even famous writers, even professional writers, even Stephen King – have found themselves blocked on occasions.
And not a few occasions. Loads!
Writer’s block is also not the exclusive purview of tormented geniuses.
Anyone can succumb to a period of feeling uninspired, doubting their originality, hating anything they do manage to put down on paper. It has less to do with your writing ability and everything to do with your emotional state.
What does set professional writers apart, however, is their experience. They know not to panic! (And the most important thing is not to panic!)
Experienced writers don’t panic because they’ve had a dry spell and they’ve come out the other side intact. They know that creativity ebbs and flows. You can’t switch it on on-demand.
Of course, you don’t just waste away, allowing your writing muscles to atrophy either. You don’t just sit around waiting for creativity to magically reappear.
Here are some things you can do to coax it back – my best tips for getting into the right emotional space, working at it, and making those creative juices flow again.
6 ways to overcome writer’s block
1. Have a change of scenery
Experimenting with writing in a different environment can do wonders for your creativity.
In my book Destination Author, I do a deep-dive into all the different ways you can experiment with place and the physical environment in which you write.
If you're looking for a quick-fix, simply leave your office space for the day and go somewhere else to write. Simple.
Even if you can’t change the place where you have to work, which I know isn’t always accessible to everyone, there’s much to be gained from just pausing briefly to switch up your energy.
That could look like:
- Taking breaks to go outside
- Stepping awaaaay from the machine
- Getting some air to bring a fresh perspective
- Doing some quick stretches or twists in your chair
- Filling your water bottle
- Looking out of a window to give your eyes a rest
Plus, movement is proven to improve creativity and productivity. So, why not go for a long walk to clear the mind, and refresh and revive your body?
Don't torture yourself with isolation and a blinking cursor at the top of an empty page.
Things will look very different if you have a brief change of scene or a longer period of time in a new writing space.
Go on, turn your favourite local coffee shop into your office space for the afternoon!
2. Watch people – getting out into the world gives you new ideas
While you’re visiting your fave café, it’s a wonderful time to people-watch.
Or if you’re like me, people-eavesdrop.
Nothing brings story ideas flooding into my mind like a snippet of gossip overheard from the table next to me! The other day, I wandered to some local shops and came back with three story ideas just from observing the way people behave for half an hour.
People are captivating, aren't they?
If you can’t come up with new ideas out of thin air, rest assured that most great writers actually don’t do that! They take their inspiration from the things they see and experience.
As a writer, it’s up to you to get out there in the world and live!
One of my best tips if you’re writing a memoir is to take notes on the people you encounter – subtly of course!
Sometimes, individuals aren’t going to be substantial or interesting enough characters to introduce on their own. As such, you can merge characters together so that the character appears deeper and more believable.
This a totally legitimate writing technique that non-fiction authors use when writing a memoir, so don’t be afraid to colour outside the lines a little when it comes to penning your story.
Another benefit of this writing tip is that being around people reminds you that every regular human being is just doing their best in the moment.
We all have worries.
That doesn't make us special.
When you’re behind the laptop on your own, those fears I talked about earlier loom larger than life.
Your self-doubt can grow to be debilitating when you’re shut away from other humans and you might lose perspective among excessive self-criticism.
It’s no wonder writing blocks get the better of us when we’re blowing everything out of proportion from our cosy little office space.
So, zoom out a little.
And yes, get out there and get amongst it.
All the better if you overhear some salacious gossip in aforementioned local coffee shop!
3. Switch modalities – shun the laptop and writing schedule in favour of free writing
Call me old-fashioned, but I don’t think you can beat pen and paper when it comes to creativity.
Often, pen and paper take us back to times when we were young and unbound by the ‘rules’ that society imposes upon us or the things we think we should be doing.
Remembering back to when you used pen and paper growing up, maybe you think of your early school years when you learned to write in ruled exercise books with a pencil, or tearful teenage love letters written to your beloved in swirly, girly, bubbly handwriting, adorned with hearts.
Writing by hand, in a journal or notebook, transports us to another age, when we were freer, more connected to our essence.
I love getting back to pen and paper.
Just as Julia Cameron proposes in her book The Artist’s Way, free writing with abandon is a fantastic way to strengthen your writing muscles.
(She actually suggests writing three pages like this, every single morning, as a creative practice. As I may have mentioned – ahem, more than a few times – I’m not a morning person, so this doesn’t do it for me.)
Nevertheless, don’t underestimate the power of pen and paper.
It’s time to uncensor your adult self and let it all out.
If you think you can’t write a book without certain tech or software, here’s where you get to call the shots on your creative process.
Anything can be a writing process if you decide it is.
If something works for you, it’s your writing process. If something doesn’t work for you – even if it’s the creative process that so-and-so famous writer swears by – then it doesn’t have to be your creative process.
Creating your own writing process is as simple as noticing and writing down the things that get your creative juices flowing... and then doing more than that.
I suggest taking note of:
a. Your physical environment
Place, ambiance, season, time of week, time of day, temperature, sounds, views, creature comforts, food and drink, etc.
b. Your emotional state
What’s going on in your world and how does this make you feel more or less creative? (Weirdly, I often feel more inspired when I’m angry! Something to know about yourself so you can channel it into a good writing session instead of... elsewhere!)
c. Your tools
Pen and paper, laptop, software, desk, chair, books, music, wise words from people who inspire you, etc.
d. Your productivity
How much did you write and how long did you write for?
The most effective way of getting your writing flowing is to keep doing the stuff that works and leave the rest. You get to determine your own creative process and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise – especially if they’re selling you the ‘solution’!
And if you don’t resonate with the idea of having a ‘creative process’, perhaps creating writing rituals is more your vibe. Ritual sounds a little on the spiritual side, but it doesn’t have to be.
Yes, it could be meditation, pulling a card, lighting a candle and setting an intention.
Equally, though, you could look for creative inspiration from other creatives, which is one of my favourite ways to reconnect with my inner creative being.
4. Turn to the arts – create writing rituals from other creative modalities
This one is a very quick tip, but it’s one of the best things you can try. Seriously! There is nothing like immersing yourself in other artists' work to remember you're an artist yourself.
By simply being in the presence of great writers, famous artists, dancers, musicians, sculptors, whoever, you will be reminded of the fact that art is everywhere and everyone who creates are is utterly unique.
Turn to the arts to get in the zone.
Visit a gallery.
Listen to music.
Sing.
Read poetry.
Dance.
Draw.
Gather your girlfriends and go do a paint and sip.
Get your hands dirty with some clay.
Whatever it is, do it for fun, for play.
Try not to take it too seriously.
All artists have their own creative rituals. And these are seriously some of the most fun ways to being back your writing mojo... without even focusing on writing.
5. Push through it – done is better than 'perfect'
Here’s a completely different perspective... and the not-so-fun way I mentioned!
It doesn’t have to be your best work; it just has to be done.
Maybe playing with your creativity isn’t an option for you.
Maybe all the lighthearted and fun ways to bring yourself back to an artist’s heart feel frivolous right now.
Maybe, when the world is hurting, when war, climate, economic and mental health crises are simultaneously raging, all you can bring yourself to do is get your head down and get on with the simple job in front of you.
Ordinarily, I’m not a huge advocate of push energy.
If something’s hard and you have to force it, it rarely results in your best work. But you know what? Maybe you don’t need to do your best work. Maybe just getting a first draft is better than producing no words at all.
As a person with ADHD, I'm never going to be a huge advocate of a boring or rigid work routine.
Still, sometimes, it really could be about something like:
a) A straight-up writing schedule
Literally just putting writing on your to-do list, making a writing schedule and adding those writing slots into your calendar.
b) A time-bound focus session
Setting a timer for 25 minutes and bashing out what you can, then taking regular breaks of 5 minutes in between rounds – also known as the Pomodoro Technique.
Setting a timer for an hour and getting shit done - also known as the Power Hour.
c) A shitty first draft approach
Getting a coffee, a strong one, and sitting down to write until you hit your word target. Allowing it to be crap and not allowing yourself to get up until you reach your number!
d) A time-block
Protecting your writing time, by treating it like a client.
Let your fingers fly over those keys unthinkingly and just see what happens. Go for it!
Related to this writing tip too is giving yourself permission to write rubbish. It’s pretty liberating to remind yourself that no one has to see this.
If you weren’t expecting this kind of writing advice from a professional editor, I should give you a heads up that it’s about to get worse!
I recommend you actively try to write rubbish.
Reams and reams of absolute unrelatable, boring-as-fuck, unstructured, uncensored bollocks.
Because who cares if you don't use a word of it? What is there to lose if the alternative is writing nothing?
Writing a rubbish page is going to be more useful than a blank page every single time. Because you can’t edit a blank page, but you can edit a bad one.
If in doubt, churn it out!
6. Talk it out – your best writing might be talking
Lastly, maybe flexing your writing muscles actually means working your vocal cords!
Extroverts, this one’s for you!
Some of us seem to process our thoughts by talking it out, me included.
If that's you, I recommend recording yourself just having a riff or venting on a topic, then getting it transcribed. You never know what might come up that you could use.
Or you might have conversations with real actual people, then download some notes afterwards. Call friends, chat with real live human beings. And no, social media doesn't count!
If you’re a podcaster, create lots of video content or find yourself doing interviews often, there’s likely a big bank of writing material ready to go.
And if you don't have someone to talk with in the moment, you’re welcome to hop on the phone with me and talk out your book.
Grab a free consult here and we’ll take it from there.
The most powerful tool of all... believing you’re a real writer
Of course, all of this advice is futile unless you really want to do it. You have lots to experiment with by now to overcome writer's block.
What will make you actually try one of these tips?
What will be the thing that tips you into taking action?
While I don't think mindset is the be all and end all, there is one fresh perspective I'd love for you to try on.
Calling yourself a writer – whether you believe you’re a good writer or not – is crucial for shifting creative blocks and getting the words flowing.
Why? Well, can you imagine the great writers of the world pouring effort and energy into whether they’re legit enough? Of course, they don’t.
Every successful writer out there became successful because they moved into doing the work and being a writer. They embodied it, becoming a writer through – you guessed it – actually writing!
It’s not about whether or not you’re published.
It’s not about whether or not you get paid to write.
You don’t need some ridiculous toolkit of creative solutions, a whole slew of writing prompts, detailed outlines and what have you. You aren’t a real writer when you know some secret knowledge that the literary world keeps hidden away – although the know-it-alls hanging out in free online writing groups will beg to differ!
Honestly, there’s a lot of fluff in the writing world. You don’t need a lot of it. Much of it is posturing.
All you really need to be a writer is to write.
So, you know what that means now.
Set down your writing blocks now, my friend.
Pen to paper, fingers to keyboard.
It’s time to write.
[Last updated: 9 November 2023]
