11 Simple Strategies for Breaking Through Writer’s Block

Have you ever stared at a blank page and found yourself with nothing to say? Writer’s block is something that happens to every writer sooner or later, whatever their level of experience is. Even the most famous and successful writers have gone through periods where they felt that their inspiration had dried up. As frustrating as it is, writer’s block is nothing to be ashamed of. It’s also something you can overcome—if you know the right way to approach it. Here are some effective strategies for beating writer’s block.

1. Get words on the page.

One of the most widely recommended strategies for overcoming writer’s block is to simply start typing. Write down anything that comes into your head, and keep going. It doesn’t have to make sense, and it doesn’t have to be publishable. You can free-associate ideas, type up poems or song lyrics you’ve memorized, or even write about your day. What matters is that you’re writing. The longer you go without writing, the harder it will be to get started again.

2. Put the work aside.

If you’ve ground to a halt on a particular writing project, try putting it to one side for the time being. But don’t stop writing—instead, choose an unrelated project and work on that instead. If you spend some time working on a completely different piece of writing, it may help you get the inspiration you need to go back to work on the first project. Ignoring a project for a while will also allow you to get some distance from it, so you can return to it with a fresh perspective.

3. Take a break every hour.

It might sound like the most obvious thing to do, but don’t underestimate the value of taking regular breaks from your writing. If you don’t do anything besides sit and write all day, you’ll eventually find yourself growing bored, stiff, and sick of the act of typing. You can do anything you want—grab a coffee, watch a video on your smartphone, play with your dog, or do your laundry. The important thing is that you’re thinking about something besides your writing.

4. Go for a walk in your neighborhood.

Sometimes what you think is writer’s block is really your body’s way of telling you it’s time to get some exercise. While you might not want to interrupt your regular writing session for a full-fledged trip to the gym, taking a walk around the block a few times is a fast and easy way to stretch your muscles and counter the effects of constant sitting. Don’t think about your writing while you walk—treat this time as a much-needed break.

5. Look at what you’ve already written.

If you experience writer’s block in the middle of writing something, you might want to take a short break, then review what you’ve written. Have you written yourself into a corner? If you still can’t see a way forward, it might be time to take a different approach. Rewrite the last paragraph, whether that means retyping it word for word or writing a completely different paragraph. When you get to the end, simply keep typing. Chances are, you’ll find that your inspiration is slowly returning.

6. Put on music while you write.

While some writers work best in total silence, others need music to help them drown out all distractions and focus on their writing. You might want to pick music without words, such as jazz or classical, since many writers find that music with lyrics is too disruptive to their internal monologue. Here’s a tip: Try listening to CDs or a favorite playlist—you don’t want any commercials interrupting your flow of inspiration.

7. Create an outline of your project.

If you’re having trouble getting started on a writing project, try outlining it. The outline doesn’t have to be neat or formal—it’s for your eyes only. Try to include all of the major ideas that you want the project to contain. If it helps, try drawing your outline on a piece of paper, then taping it over your writing space while you work. You can use bullet points, numbered lists, arrows, or any other features that will make it easier for you to organize your thoughts.

8. Go somewhere else to write.

Sometimes, all you need to regain your inspiration is a change of location. If you’re feeling weary of writing in one place, try packing up and going somewhere else. This might be a coffee shop, a library, a park, or even a quiet room in your home. It’s important to be prepared for the change of venue, of course: Make sure that you’ve got headphones to eliminate all distractions, and be sure to bring any research materials you need to do your work.

9. Brainstorm some new ideas.

When you have writer’s block, you may feel as if you’ll never come up with an original idea ever again. Combat this feeling by sitting down with a blank sheet of paper and just free-associating different ideas for 15 minutes. Write as fast as you can, and don’t censor yourself. After a short break, look at what you came up with it. It’s entirely likely that you’ll find some ideas you like. In any event, an occasional brainstorming session is a great way to break out of your old mindset and start thinking in a fresh way.

10. Call up a friend.

Being a writer can be lonely work. If you’re starting to clam up creatively because you feel too isolated, take some time to have a conversation with somebody else. It doesn’t have to be a serious discussion; even a lighthearted exchange can be enough to get you in a better mindset. You might even want to talk about your current writing with a sympathetic listener to see if they have any suggestions. Make sure that you don’t overindulge in these conversational breaks, though—if you call a friend every time you feel stuck, you may never get any writing done!

11. Reread some of your previous work.

Writers who find themselves stuck on a particular writing project sometimes fear that they don’t have what it takes to be creative. If this mood strikes you, it can be helpful to spend some time reading some of your older writings—preferably unrelated to what you’re currently working on. After you’ve spent some time absorbed in your best work, you’ll be in a good frame of mind to get back to your current projects.

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