With even the greatest of writers facing this challenge, writer's block can be difficult to deal with. As though rendering you completely unable to fathom the next page, writer's block can be frustrating and can even discourage you from wanting to continue with your work.
Fortunately, I've put together some tips to help you beat this!
That being said, here are:
Fortunately, I've put together some tips to help you beat this!
That being said, here are:
1. Realize The Answer Exists
This simply isn't true.
The truth is, and this is something you need to remind yourself, that the answer to your problem DOES exist. Even more so, it has less to do with your brain thinking of the solution, but FINDING it.
You can almost compare this to Michelangelo's philosophy, who once said, "I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free."
What this means is he believed he wasn't just chipping away and creating a sculpture. He believed the sculpture, or "beauty" existed within the marble and his task was to simply release it for the world to see.
So next time you look at that blank page, remember . . . your great story DOES exist. It's just your job to FIND it.
2. Put Words Down
Honestly, if you're stuck, just put down ANY words. It could be complete gibberish for all you know. But before you realize it, these words will start to make sense and the scene you're stuck on will start to unfold.
You can think of this tip as a way to kickstart your writing. Every scene needs to crawl before it can walk, and it's these small, simple (maybe illegible) starting points, that will allow you to push off and further explore your ideas. Almost like how every five thousand mile journey starts with a single step.
And sometimes the toughest part of writer's block is the fear most authors have of MAKING the first step. It sounds silly, but it's as though our brain literally FEARS that the first words we put on paper will sound stupid, or unoriginal.
In reality, you can't worry about this. OF COURSE there is a good change your first few words are going to sound silly, but it's a rough draft you're writing. And like I said, you need to crawl before you can walk (no matter how many books you've written) because every story is a new adventure that you're just beginning to explore.
So put words down and save the fine tuning for the final draft.
You can think of this tip as a way to kickstart your writing. Every scene needs to crawl before it can walk, and it's these small, simple (maybe illegible) starting points, that will allow you to push off and further explore your ideas. Almost like how every five thousand mile journey starts with a single step.
And sometimes the toughest part of writer's block is the fear most authors have of MAKING the first step. It sounds silly, but it's as though our brain literally FEARS that the first words we put on paper will sound stupid, or unoriginal.
In reality, you can't worry about this. OF COURSE there is a good change your first few words are going to sound silly, but it's a rough draft you're writing. And like I said, you need to crawl before you can walk (no matter how many books you've written) because every story is a new adventure that you're just beginning to explore.
So put words down and save the fine tuning for the final draft.
3. Walk Through The Scene Out Loud
This might sound silly, but it helps a lot.
Maybe you do it by yourself - or maybe you have a friend listening and helping you brainstorm - but sometimes I like to literally pace around the room, hashing out the chapter point by point. You can almost imagine this as giving a boardroom presentation or pitching the scene of a blockbuster movie in front of group of top entertainment executives.
By doing this, you'll be able to break down your daunting chapter into smaller, bite sized bullet points, making your complex story much easier to manage.
And there's also a bonus! They say (not sure who) that walking fosters creative thinking. So literally walk around, or even stroll through your neighborhood with someone and discuss each aspect of your scene until you finally nail it!
Maybe you do it by yourself - or maybe you have a friend listening and helping you brainstorm - but sometimes I like to literally pace around the room, hashing out the chapter point by point. You can almost imagine this as giving a boardroom presentation or pitching the scene of a blockbuster movie in front of group of top entertainment executives.
By doing this, you'll be able to break down your daunting chapter into smaller, bite sized bullet points, making your complex story much easier to manage.
And there's also a bonus! They say (not sure who) that walking fosters creative thinking. So literally walk around, or even stroll through your neighborhood with someone and discuss each aspect of your scene until you finally nail it!
4. Get Rid Of Distractions
This is a small and obvious tip, but get rid of all your distractions! Move into a room where nobody is sitting in, tell your friends to keep the TV down, even turn on some music if you have to to get into the required mood for the scene.
After all, writer's block can be EXTREMELY frustrating. The only thing more frustrating is having writer's block, TRYING to get around it, but being bombarded by CONSTANT distractions!! Clearly, these types of environments just aren't conducive to creativity!
So go someplace where you won't get side-tracked and remember: happy, NON-frusterated authors write MUCH better!
After all, writer's block can be EXTREMELY frustrating. The only thing more frustrating is having writer's block, TRYING to get around it, but being bombarded by CONSTANT distractions!! Clearly, these types of environments just aren't conducive to creativity!
So go someplace where you won't get side-tracked and remember: happy, NON-frusterated authors write MUCH better!
5. Skip The Scene! (For Now)
Last, but not least, the most simple of the tips - Just skip the scene for now!
While trying your hardest to PUSH through writer's block is great, sometimes the best medicine is to just get some rest. So either take a break from your work and allow your undistracted brain to come up with new ideas, or (especially if you're on a deadline) just get to the next scene and carry on with the story.
After all, sometimes your best ideas come from when you're brain is relaxed or just focusing on something else!
While trying your hardest to PUSH through writer's block is great, sometimes the best medicine is to just get some rest. So either take a break from your work and allow your undistracted brain to come up with new ideas, or (especially if you're on a deadline) just get to the next scene and carry on with the story.
After all, sometimes your best ideas come from when you're brain is relaxed or just focusing on something else!