Struggling to Write? Secret to Slaying Writer's Block

We’ve all been there before. Staring at a blank page or blinking cursor, your fingers poised over the keyboard, ready to start typing away. But nothing comes. Your mind feels empty, and you’re questioning why you ever thought you could do this writing thing in the first place. Writer’s block can be downright brutal.

I was trying to write a short story for a competition a few years back. The deadline quickly approached, but I couldn’t get the creative juices flowing. I’d sit down at my desk, ready to pour my heart out onto the page, but I ended up with a title and first paragraph that I’d delete later anyway. This went on for days until I was nearing full-on panic mode. I had never faced a block that bad, and I was terrified I would miss the deadline or submit something I had hacked together at the last minute.

This was part of my problem. I was so worried about creating a fantastic story right from the start that I psyched myself out completely. I’ve learned to get the initial ideas out even if they’re not perfectly polished. They can always be edited and improved later. Fiction writers especially struggle with feeling their work isn't good enough on the first try. Kill that inner critic!

A lot of us creative types struggle with feeling like imposters. We’re scared any minute now. Deep down, we’ll be revealed as the talentless frauds we think we are. But don’t give in to that fear. You owe it to yourself to create without harsh judgment.

Writing can be hard work. And hard work isn’t always super fun and exciting. Sometimes, you’ve just got to chip away at it even when you’re not “feeling it.” Inspiration often shows up during the process.

Facing a major project can sometimes feel so daunting that it freezes us up. The sheer scope is too intimidating. If you ever feel this way, try breaking that big project into smaller, more manageable chunks.

Luckily, writer’s block doesn’t have to stop your creative flow completely. There are many ways to work around and overcome it:

Sometimes, your mind needs a rest. Step away from the project for a bit - go for a walk, grab some coffee with a friend, or get lost in that show you’ve meant to watch. When you return to the page, let your mind recharge so it’s refreshed.

Move it up if you’ve been stuck working in the same spot for a while. Switch to working at a coffee shop instead of your desk, or break out your laptop in the park. Having a change of scenery can be surprisingly effective.

Freewriting is one of the best tools in your arsenal against writer’s block. Set a timer for 10 or 15 minutes, and write continuously about anything that comes to mind. Some of my best work has come from freewriting tangents. Don’t think, write!

For some reason, dictating your thoughts out loud can help break through blocks. Instead of typing, record yourself speaking your ideas into a voice recorder or speech-to-text program.

Keep a running list of story ideas, opening lines, and random dialogue snippets. When you’re stuck, browse for inspiration to get the ball rolling. Check websites and books for fiction writing prompts, too.

Does the entire project seem impossible to tackle? Break it into bite-sized pieces and focus on one portion at a time. Outlines and lists can help organize things into manageable chunks.

This gives you a time limit to race against. You'd be surprised what even ten focused minutes of writing can produce.

Finished a paragraph? Completed an outline? Revel in these tiny triumphs. Small steps ultimately lead to giant leaps.

Here’s the hard truth about writer’s block: it will probably happen again. As writers, it’s an obstacle we have to learn to work through. Be kind to yourself, but keep persevering. Stay open to trying different tactics to loosen up and rediscover that creative flow within you. It’s still there, I promise. You might have to fight for it once in a while.

That short story I mentioned earlier? After many cups of coffee, pushing past my inner critic, and more deleted words than I can count, I finished it. And just in time, too! I was incredibly proud of myself, and even though it didn’t win any awards, submitting it felt like a major accomplishment.

So don’t abandon that story, poem, article, or book. Unleash your creativity. You’ve got this.

Pushing past writer's block is key for fiction writers who want to keep creating stories, novels, and scripts. Don't let the frustrating blocks kill your creativity. Use the above strategies to stay productive and see your fiction projects through to completion. Defeating writer's block means more published works, an engaged audience, and evolving your craft as an author. Though difficult, fighting the blocks is worth it for the growth you'll experience as a creative writer. The path may wind and curve, but if you persist past the obstacles, you'll look back one day to see how far you've come.