Writing Tips and Inspiration
How to Cure Writer’s Block and Write 2022 Words Every Day this Year
I am a freelance writer, and I know how hard it can be to come up with new content ideas. Writer’s block is one of the worst things imaginable for any creative person. It makes you feel that there are no words left inside you.
But thankfully, there are some tips out there that can help writers! After reading this article, you’ll have the tools you need to beat Stephen King’s goal of 2,000 words a day. In fact, we challenge you to write 2,022 words each day this year!
(Here’s a list of other famous writers and their daily goals by Alvin Ang!)
1. Declutter Your Writing Space
Writer’s block is often caused by a messy workspace. A cluttered workplace leads to a cluttered mind, and the two work against each other when you sit down to write. According to Harvard Business Review, people who have clean workspaces are better able to think outside of the box than those with clutter.
I know, I know: we all like to convince ourselves that a messy desk is a sign of a creative mind. But the truth is, a messy desk only leads to writer’s block and lost productivity. So take some time this weekend to declutter your work area!
2. Use the Pomodoro Technique
Francesco Cirillo’s classic Pomodoro Technique is a time management strategy that can be used to combat writer’s block. This technique involves breaking down your writing goal into 25-minute intervals, with five-minute breaks in between each interval. By doing this, you are training yourself to focus for short periods of time, which will help you when it comes time to write.
You can use an App, but I find the original tomato-shaped timer to be more effective because it is tangible and tactile. It creates a more authentic effect and, by extension, writer’s block appears to be less genuine. On that note:
3. Deny that Writer’s Block Exists.
Okay, I realize this is ironic. It’s like Dostoevsky’s old “Don’t think of a polar bear!” dilemma. How can you think of anything else?!
Writer’s Block is a thing and denying it won’t make Writer’s Block go away!
But what will happen if you deny Writer’s Block is that you’ll feel less anxious about your writing abilities.
This strategy works on the ‘fake it until you make it’ premise. By acting like Writer’s Block doesn’t exist, you trick yourself into believing Writer’s Block doesn’t exist. Then, when it comes time to write, your mind isn’t so daunted!
4. Acknowledge it’s Okay to be a Flawed Human
It’s alright to be a less-than-perfect writer. Attempting to write a flawless first draft is a sure way to trigger writing paralysis. So don’t! Writer’s block is often caused by our fear of not being good enough, procrastination and unrealistic expectations. It’s all too easy to get bogged down in the writing process and feel it’s never right. But remember, you are a flawed human and that’s okay!
Everyone makes mistakes, even published authors. So don’t be afraid to put your work out there — feedback and criticism will only make you stronger in the end. Use filler words and bad adverbs. Commit crimes against grammar! Mix metaphors! (Yes, this is the opposite of advice you’d get from a pompous English teacher). You can always go back and fix things in your second draft.
Or leave it in!
The most important thing is that you start writing and get words on the page.
5. Try a Creative Writing Prompt to Inspire You
If you find yourself struggling to come up with ideas, try using a creative writing prompt to jump-start your creativity. A creative writing prompt is simply a sentence or paragraph that provides a starting point for your story or essay. There are many websites and blogs that offer prompts, and you can also find inspiring prompts in books and magazines, such as The Writer’s Digest.
How to Play Dixit to Cure Writer’s Block
Writer’s block can be beaten by using images to fuel the imagination. For something completely different, I like to use the card game “Dixit”. It has engaging, dreamlike illustrations by Marie Cardouat that make me want to write. Each round, players combine cards to create sentences or brief stories from fantastical situations and imagery. This is great for visual storytellers.
You can also play Dixit to stretch your writing muscles before you begin! Some of my friends like to play Dixit while they’re writing, or on a break while using the Pomodoro method. Dixit is an excellent way to keep your creative juices flowing, without getting bogged down in what you are currently working on.
How to Use Story Writing Prompts from A.I.
Another option is to get writing prompts that are personalized to your work, by using A.I. (Artificial Intelligence) to analyze your writing and then make suggestions. We’ve published an article about this new technology, and it really is something you have to try in order to believe because it’s so cool.
Now Go Forth and Write, You Writer You!
So there you have it: five strategies that can help you overcome writer’s block. I hope these techniques will be helpful for you. By using a combination of these methods, you’ll be writing again in no time!
Writer’s block doesn’t have to control your life — you can take back the power. 2,022 words a day is definitely achievable. Set a regular daily routine, and make writing your resolution this year. Believe you can do it!
Commit to putting your butt in the chair, hammock, or favourite spot at the local coffee shop. By setting a schedule to write 2,022 words every day of 2022, you’re more likely to make it happen. The aim is to get words on the page! Soon it will become a habit and your writer’s block will become a thing of the past.
What methods have you found work best for you? Tell us by leaving us a comment below this article. We love hearing from our audience!
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