When your livelihood depends upon your ability to write, writer’s block is like a power outage. Your mind goes dark, and you have no idea when the lights will come back on. Here are 14 time-honored ways to break writer’s block:
- Take a break. Overworking your brain can make it just shut down. Surf the internet. Watch your favorite TV show. Take a nap. Then, get back to work.
- Listen to music. Music stimulates the brain, and gets the creative juices flowing again.
- Brainstorm. Start small. Write down a random word or thought. Then, start writing down every word or phrase that comes to mind when you look at that word. This exercise can produce some solid ideas.
- Have a snack. Sometimes you just need to eat. Make sure you’re properly fed when you sit down to write.
- Go for a walk or jog. Exercise can release endorphins that make the brain function better. If you are stuck for words, strap on your running shoes and head outside for a quick jog or walk.
- Pick up a book. Reading can be the best way to get into the writing mood. Reading stimulates the language part of the brain — which is exactly the part you need for writing.
- Do something that inspires you. If you love to cook, get in the kitchen and start working. If you love to draw, break out your sketchbook. Creativity often breeds creativity.
- Do some research. If you’re having a hard time finding a place to start or a way to move forward, research may be the key. Research the topic you are trying to write about.
- Work on supplemental materials. Some writing projects have graphs. Some have diagrams. Some have appendices. Very few written projects are entirely standalone, so working on those supplemental materials can provide a way to continue forward motion on a project.
- Try a schedule. Mark out a time in your day that is always reserved for writing. Train yourself to be present at a certain time and place, and your brain will start showing up, too.
- Write something else first. Try making your grocery list, a to-do list, a journal entry about how you spent your day — something easy. It’s a good way to ease back into just putting words on a page.
- Write somewhere new. Try a different room in your apartment, a new coffee shop, or an outdoor park. A change of scenery can do wonders for the imagination.
- Establish a reward for yourself. Sometimes you need to treat yourself. Will you get a frozen yogurt when you finish your post? Browse your favorite shopping site? Don’t let yourself have what you want until you’ve finished your task.
- Just start writing. One of the most common cures for writer’s block is to get something, anything down on paper. Break the block by forcing your brain to forge ahead.
Sources: saleshq.monster.com, lifehack.org, heartifb.com