Writer’s block, the most daunting thing for a writer to deal with. But it doesn’t have to be that bad. Here are some tips on how to break through the wall.
I know that some people are plotters and some people are pantsers.
But no matter what you are, there will still be scenarios where you feel stuck, whether you’ve written yourself into a corner or plotted out a scene that now doesn’t really work.
So how do we solve for this? For some, that is taking a break by going for a long walk and waiting for inspiration to strike. Those with multiple projects going on, like James Patterson, work on a different book.
On a smaller scale, you can simply jump to another scene in your story that you already have worked out in your head. At times, doing so can even inspire how to fix what wasn’t working.
No matter how many books you’ve written, even bestselling authors hit that wall momentarily, but they’ve learned what works for them to penetrate it.
Harlan Coben, for example, suggests switching environments. Maybe leave the keyboard and opt for pen and paper. Just switching perspectives can spark an idea.
Nora Roberts suggests routine and structure rather than inspiration. She is famously quoted for saying “If you write crap, you’re still writing—and you can fix that. But if you walk away, then you’ve broken the habit.”
The most important point to remember, is that when you start to write out your novel, it’s called a rough draft for a reason. No one’s first draft of a novel is perfect. Certain writing sessions will be better than others and you should embrace that. You can always go back and fix it, but there has to be something there to fix.
Another important way to break the block is to read. Inspiration can come from analyzing someone else’s work and how they approached or structured their story line.
If it’s still not working, then as Lisa Unger has stated, it’s likely for a reason. Maybe it’s not about your ability to write, but rather the story itself is not working. And that happens, more often than authors would care to admit. This involves either reworking the characters and the plot or simply just learning when to walk away.
How does reworking the characters help? By understanding the motivations of your characters, you can understand why they would choose to move forward in the story. What do they lose or gain from it? Which is why when you get stuck, analyze what the scene calls for. Is it action or introspection?
So, what are the biggest takeaways for overcoming writer’s block?
- Keep to a routine. Get the words down, even if they don’t make sense for that scene. You might find it works in a different chapter.
- Change your environment, whether that’s change of scenery or from computer to pencil.
- Pivot to a different activity, whether that’s reading or working on a different project.
- Make sure your characters and plot are fully developed.
- Jump to a scene that you are excited to write about.
- Taking a break or learning when to walk away.
I’ll leave you with a quote from Silvia Plath. “The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.”
Overall, the biggest challenge when it comes to writer’s block is our own insecurities. The best advice you can get is to just write.
