Overcome Writer’s Block
I’ve experienced writer’s block many times in my years of writing. Writer’s block is when you lose all motivation to write and, maybe, you don’t have any idea what should happen next. It almost feels like you’re swimming in an endless river.
So, how do you overcome writer’s block? Here are some tips I have used that really helped me.
1. Take a break. You heard me. If you keep trying to write through this dreadful moment, you’ll probably end up with unexplainable plot holes. Now, I don’t mean do nothing when I say “take a break.” I mean to imagine what happens next in your book, visualize it. Or, you could read a book or watch a movie to hopefully, receive inspiration.
2. Find the cause. Why are you losing motivation? Why can’t you write the next scene? Ask yourself these questions: Is my plot getting boring? Why don’t I feel like writing this scene? Figure out why and try to fix it. For example, if your plot is getting boring with unnecessary dialog, make the character do something stupid, or embarrassing.
3. On a separate document or piece of paper, write anything. And I mean ANYTHING. Describe the taste of an apple or the sight of a tree in your backyard. As you’re writing, you might be hit with a sudden plot idea.
4. Set goals! (And complete them, of course.) Create a consistent writing schedule and perhaps a goal of how many words you’ll write by a certain day. Give yourself a meaningful reward if you manage to complete your goal!
5. Edit. In my opinion, editing my previous work is so much easier than writing. If you’re ever stuck in writer’s block, edit what you’ve written before. This helps you understand your plot and characters better, which can lead to motivation.
Experiencing writer’s block is completely normal and does not define who you are as a writer. I hope these tips help you in the future!
