Coping with Writer’s Block

Writer’s block. It’s arguably the most infuriating aspect of being a writer, and yet we’ve all had to deal with it at some point, likely more than once. There are few things quite as aggravating for a writer as staring at a blinking cursor, just waiting for thoughts and ideas that clearly aren’t going to come, and wondering how long you’ll have to endure this creative slump. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, it will last for only a few days; other times, the stuckness will persist for weeks or even months.

Near the end of the summer, I wrapped up a novel I’d spent over a year working on. In the weeks that followed, I struggled to generate any creative thought whatsoever. I could still write essays for school (thankfully) and blog posts, but when it came to ideas for fictional stories, my mind was a blank slate. For nearly two months. And, boy, was it bumming me out!

Fortunately, the slump resolved last week, and I’m happy to say I’m now 10,000 words into a new novel. But that experience, while not my first encounter with writer’s block, got me thinking: if writing is what I want to spend my life doing—and I’m pretty sure it is—then I must be able to cope with this irritating, yet inevitable occurrence. I thought about what I had been doing for the past couple of months, as well as what more I could do in the future, and developed the following six strategies.

1. Don’t force it

The creativity will return eventually, and when it does, you can embrace it wholeheartedly. In the meantime, however, no writing, in my opinion, is better than forced writing. Typically, when I’ve forced myself to write (oftentimes with the intent to just get any words onto the page), I’ve ended up deleting that bit not long after. I’ve found it’s more productive to focus my energy on other pursuits until the writing can flow more naturally, which brings me to my second tip . . .

2. Explore other hobbies

While dealing with this last bout of writer’s block, I immersed myself in other creative and noncreative pastimes, including blogging, cooking, hiking, and swimming. Not only did the addition of these hobbies to my routine help me keep busy and feel fulfilled; they now provide me with a variety of fun options when I want a break from writing. I’m not someone who can sit down at my computer and write the day away; I need to shake it up a bit in order to stay engaged and inspired, and I can do just that by baking a loaf of vegan banana bread or going on a local hike in-between writing sessions. Furthermore, exploring new pursuits can give you, the creator, more material for future creations and characters. It’s an all-around win!

3. Read!

I used to read all the time. In middle school, I was that kid who would go through three to four books every week. Then, when I got into writing, I stopped reading (outside of school assignments, of course) for years. I think that decision, while not entirely deliberate, partially had to do with not wanting to make comparisons and feel inadequate about my writing and was also because I was super busy and preferred to spend my limited free time in other ways. Recently, however, I’ve rediscovered my love of reading and am currently on a long-overdue Stephen King kick. Reading is immensely beneficial for those struggling with writer’s block because it can spark ideas and inspiration. Additionally, reading helps lower stress and is just an all-around incredible hobby that I’d strongly recommend everyone do more of.

4. Spend time outside

Being outside, specifically in nature, is an amazing way to clear your head. There’s such tranquility and revitalization in going on a scenic hike or simply taking a walk or jog around your block. In addition to helping generate creative energy, The Great Outdoors reduces stress and tension. Find out more about the incredible mental health benefits of nature here.

5. Declutter your workspace

I’ve noticed a significant increase in my productivity since I eliminated “clutter” from my office. Instead of having a million papers, sticky notes, and books scattered across my desk to inevitably distract me, I now have one pad of paper, a pen, and my computer, and that’s literally it. Take some time to rearrange your workspace, and you’ll likely be rewarded with better focus and flow. If you want to take it a step further, put your phone somewhere out of reach and turn off your Wi-Fi when you write to really remove those pesky distractions.

6. Keep trying

Just as I overcame my slump, you too won’t be stuck in creative limbo forever. Once a day, try and give writing a go, even if it’s just for a few minutes. You never know when the creative energy will suddenly miraculously return. In the meantime, try out the other strategies I suggested; if they could break my two-month block, then they may very well break yours as well.

Are there any strategies not on this list that help you cope with writer’s block? Let me know in the comments!