6 Quick Tips For Beating Writer’s Block

Hey, writing can be tough.

Feeling stuck? Facing a blank page?

Don’t despair. We’ve all been there. Here are six tips you can put into action right away to get past your writer’s block.

1. Don’t wait to write

A lot of people put off writing until they “feel ready,” but it’s fairly common to never reach that “feel ready” point. Instead, just write. Get the momentum flowing. Editing a rough draft — even a very rough draft — feels better than dealing with a blank page.

Don’t let excuses get in the way. Don’t worry if you haven’t finished your research. You can always incorporate your research and other details after you’ve pushed out that first rough draft or two.

2. Don’t over-prepare

Many writers like starting with an outline, and they can be incredibly helpful in keeping your thoughts on track. Just the same, no law says you can’t start before you know everything that you intend to say. The writing process is creative and interactive. Your ideas will develop as you write and you can always go back and edit later.

3. Write in short, frequent bursts

Does your schedule not allow for long blocks of time to write? Or does your attention wander too much over a period of time? You might want to try working in short bursts of time spread out over the day. By the end of the day, you may find your productivity hasn’t been hurt and you’re writing more!

4. Scheduling your writing time

Still stuck? Don’t treat writing like an optional activity. Treat it like any other job you have to do — something that can’t be postponed. If you work from home, designate a work area that is dedicated solely to writing. Treat it like an office.

5. Get feedback

Writing isn’t necessarily a solo activity. If you’re stuck, getting an outside perspective may help quite a bit. A conversation about your work — whether general or very specific — could be the very thing you need to return to your writing with a fresh attitude and renewed energy. Depending on the conversation, you may even learn something new you can use, or get some new ideas on how to handle your topic.

6. Mix things up to stay fresh

Everyone gets tired and worn out. Unfortunately, this can have an impact on your writing and result in low quality work. If you feel fatigued, switch up the time of the day you write. For example, If writing late into the night is wearing you out, try waking up early and getting in a few hours in the morning. If working from home isn’t working, try the library or local coffee shop (hey, it’s a cliche for a reason).

Writing can be hard, but a lot of what makes it hard is how you approach it. Try these simple, quick tips and see where that takes you.

Keep writing!

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