10 Strategies to Defeat Writer’s Block For Those Too Anxious To Start

Look, I have been there. I sit down at my desk, a nice cup of coffee to my right (always to my right), a pen and paper just in case I need some kinetic form of notetaking, my door shut, and my dogs sequestered downstairs to prevent their typical cacophony of distraction. Sometimes I even have a just-in-case snack available, so I don’t need to get up. I’m ready. Okay. Any minute now. Yup, here we go. The muse will arrive any second…any minute…any…hour?

I sigh. I get up and walk around. Check my phone. Sit back down. Stare at the screen. Damn, that blinking cursor. Taunting me. Begging me to type something. Anything. And yet, I am stuck. Total and complete writer’s block. Well, shoot. Now I feel a bit uneasy. What if I don’t get this done? Anxiety sets in, and now I feel even more stuck than I did before.

When it comes to writer’s block, the struggle is real. I meet with students who want guidance to finish that paper or that late assignment. During our discussion, I usually learn they don’t need help finishing that late paper; they need help starting that late paper.

The What and Why of Writer’s Block

Writer’s block can be most easily defined as a phenomenon where a writer feels stuck, unable to produce new material, and feels creatively stunted. Consequences of writer’s block include lack of follow-through on assignments and other writing commitments and feelings of depression and anxiety. Even if writing is not our bread-and-butter profession, an inability to produce written work can be distressing. For some, even writing emails can be a long, drawn-out, time-sucking slog that takes up way more space than it should.

In the 2007 HBO series, Californication, we get a prime example of writer’s block through David Duchovny’s main character, Hank Moody. Hank struggles to produce new work throughout season one following his wildly successful novel, God Hates Us All. His decidedly un-romantic book was subsequently turned into a cheesy, watered-down rom-com film that he hates, called Crazy Little Thing Called Love, that was equally if not more successful than Hank’s original book. Hank is depressed and copes with heavy drinking and drug use, sex, and not writing despite continuous pressure from his agent to produce his next masterpiece.

While we likely have not fallen entirely to Hank’s depravity, we may be able to relate to his character. Perhaps we have had past success with our writing and now feel stunted to live up to our success. Or we feel the pressure of needing to get that good grade in a class that rides on this one, final paper. Or we are anxious about putting our thoughts out there in written form. Maybe we are afraid of what others think about our writing.

So why does writer’s block happen? There are some common reasons that we may feel stuck:

• Stress
• Physical illness
• Mental health issues such as pre-existing depression or anxiety
• Significant life transitions
• Financial pressure (more common with professional writers)
• Burnout
• Fear of failure or embarrassment

While this is not an exhaustive list, some principal reasons why writer’s block can happen can also be intertwined. For example, a highly productive writer can start experiencing symptoms of burnout which may look like increased amounts of stress, anxiety, mood changes, and perhaps even impact their relationship with a partner. Maybe they also have the added pressure to produce written work for their livelihood. And on and on.

Strategies to Get Over (and Through) Writer’s Block

As an academic, writing is a part of my job. While I now consider myself a reasonably productive writer, it took some time to get here. I went through a lot of trial and error to figure out what worked to not only get me started but to keep me going. I read a lot of articles and, yes, even watched a lot of YouTube videos. I started implementing strategies that sounded interesting to me and realistic for my lifestyle. Like many others, I’m also a parent with family obligations and other responsibilities in life. I do not have a 24/7 ability to write. I need to be practical and strategic.

In no particular order, here are my top 10 strategies to kicking writer’s block squarely in the behind:

1. The Pomodoro Technique. I cannot say enough good things about the Pomodoro technique. It has dramatically changed my writing and increased my output like no other. According to our friend Wikipedia, the Pomodoro Technique is a time management strategy created by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. The basics are: Write for 25 minutes, take a 5-minute break, lather, rinse, and repeat. One 25 minutes of writing plus a 5-minute break is considered one Pomodoro. Personally, depending on how much time I have available, I like to pre-plan the number of Pomodoro sessions I will do in a row before I stop writing. And, no, you don’t need to buy a fancy tomato timer. The timer on my phone works just as well.
2. Take the Path of Least Resistance (aka start in the middle). The introduction and the end of our projects tend to be the most difficult to write. We are often determined to get those first few paragraphs done before moving on. Think about the piece you are about to write. What parts feel easier to write? For example, when I’m writing a research paper, I tend to start with the Methods section. Why? Because it is straightforward and I don’t need to think about it too much. And the best part is it gives me the momentum to tackle the more challenging, creative aspects of my paper. I feel less anxious about writing once I have a chunk already completed.
3. 5–4–3–2–1 or Why Mel Robbins May Have a Point. Unless you are entirely opposed to podcasts, you have likely heard of Mel Robbins. Robbins, no relation to That Other Robbins, has been many things throughout her life, including a lawyer, TV host, news anchor, and more recently a best-selling author and motivational speaker. When she’s not high-fiving herself in the mirror, she talks a lot about the 5–4–3–2–1 technique to help do things when you don’t feel like doing them. What Robbins is getting at is an actual psychological intervention called behavioral activation. In other words, our actions influence our emotions. At the same time, I don’t necessarily agree with Robbins that “motivation is bullsh*t.” However, I have used her 5–4–3–2–1 strategy to get going on projects when I lack the drive to start. The concept is simple: Count down from 5 and start writing when you get to zero. Don’t think, do.
4. Practice, Practice, Practice. My doctoral advisor’s best advice was to write every day. It didn’t have to be academic writing or writing related to my dissertation. It could be a quick journal entry or blog that was only for me. The idea was that writing begets writing. The more we write, the less anxious we are about writing, and the more we continue to write.
5. Bullets and Lists are your Friends. Need to start that final paper but don’t know how to begin? Maybe you feel stuck by needing to string words together coherently and interestingly. I feel you. Almost every time I start a new piece of writing, I make a bulleted list of all the various points I wish to make within the paper. The key here is you don’t even need to be on your computer to make this list. I keep runnings lists on my phone in the Notes app. When I have an idea of what else to include in that paper or article, I immediately add it to my list on my phone, so I don’t forget it. I also keep a running list of ideas for essays, blogs, and research papers. I am referring to such a list right now!
6. Talk it Out. There are two different strategies here. One, talk about your writing to a friend, family member, or academic advisor. Sometimes by talking about what we plan to write, we can get ideas of how to start. Have this other person ask you questions about your topic and engage in a discussion. You may get more ideas than you expect. Second, if the physical act of writing is difficult for you, use voice-to-text software such as Dragon NaturallySpeaking. Full disclosure: I have never used voice-to-text software though I know several folks in various industries who have found it helpful.
7. Stay in the Moment. You’d be hard-pressed to find an article about mental health without coming upon the concept of mindfulness or staying in the present. Building a mindfulness practice can be extremely helpful if we are prone to anxiety. It can be as simple as taking a few square breaths before we begin writing where we breathe in for a count of four, hold for four, breathe out for four, hold for four, and repeat until we feel more settled. Removing distractions to the best of our ability can also help us remain in the moment and open to the creative flow when it occurs. If possible, keep your phone away from your working area and avoid checking things like social media while you work. If you implement the Pomodoro Technique mentioned above, your five-minute break is an excellent time to get up, stretch, take a breath, and check your phone if you need to.
8. Mind Mapping and Outlining. Have a paper due but don’t even know where to start? Or maybe you have a title for a new Medium article, but you’re not sure where to go from there. Mind mapping is a technique similar to brainstorming, where you draw out a visual representation of your main points and subpoints. Place your main topics of discussion in large bubbles. Connected to each large bubble, write down three to four subpoints in smaller bubbles. From here, you can create a more detailed outline, including things like resources or references, other pages or stories to link to, or quotes you’d like to include. I put my outlines directly into Google Docs.
9. Write, Don’t Edit. Maybe this sounds familiar: You write a sentence or two. It doesn’t read right, so you delete it and rewrite it. No, wait. That’s not quite right either. You delete it again. You are still slogging through the first paragraph an hour later, and it all feels painfully tedious. I often visualize writing as sculpting. My first draft is the big lump of formless clay or the giant hunk of pointy, scratchy stone. It looks like nothing and, to be frank, is ugly. But it is something I can then use to create art. Without that unsightly lump of clay; I have nothing to do. I have no sculpture to make. I have nothing. So embrace the first draft as the ugly duckling it is. It doesn’t need to be pretty; it just needs to exist. Don’t edit your first draft; write it.
10. Remember, Editing is Writing. But, wait. Didn’t I tell you not to edit? No, no, that is only for your very first draft. All successful authors will tell you a good editor is worth their weight in gold. And while most of us aren’t paying for outside editors, the editing process can make or break your final product. Once you have enough of your first draft completed, editing can be a part of your regular writing practice. Maybe you want to tackle a few Pomodoro sessions before lunch but aren’t feeling particularly creative. That’s the perfect time to bring up that first draft and get to editing. Editing is the fun part.

A Bonus Tip: A Change in Routine Can Be Good

Okay, but what if you’re still stuck. Many people find writing routines essential and valuable. By creating a structure around our writing practice, we can experience less anxiety and find mental relief from no longer needing to think quite so hard about should-I-or-shouldn’t-I. Yet writer’s block can still happen even under the best circumstances and the most regular routines.

When this happens, try a change in scenery. If you usually write in your home office or your bedroom, try a different room in your house. Or, if you feel safe doing so, head to a coffee shop or write outside at a park. In The Before Times (pre-COVID), I wrote half of my dissertation at a coffee shop. I found it helpful to change my routine every few days to keep the momentum going. Find variations in your routine that work for you. Try out new and different places to write. Sometimes novelty is just the right medicine to get the creative juices flowing.

Stay the Course with Measured Expectations

Not everyone will enjoy your writing. You may not always get that A on the paper. Someone may leave a snarky comment on the blog post you worked so hard to complete. It doesn’t mean you’re a terrible writer.

I have discussed the importance of letting go of expectations in my teaching and therapy practice. Once you submit that paper or post that article, the reception to your work is out of your control. You have done your part. Let go of what might happen and take a moment to appreciate your ability to put a new piece of yourself out into the world.