How to get past writer’s block

Posted on September 15, 2021

There are few things more frustrating than being on deadline, hands on the keyboard, ready to write, and… nothing. Brain blank. No words.

Writer’s block is real. Whether it’s caused by burnout, by the pressure or simply not being the right time, creativity can’t be turned on and off like a switch, annoyingly!

That being said, when all seems lost, there are a few tricks that I use to jump-start the creative process once again. They may sound overly simple but, trust me, they work.

Switch mediums

If I’m typing on a laptop and can’t find the words I need, I grab a pad and pen and handwrite. Something switches in my brain and it’s easier to scribble out what I want to say. Handwriting is a key part of cognitive development and we use our brains differently than when typing. More often than not, switching between the two is enough to breakthrough the block fairly quickly.

Take a break

When did you last take a break? There’s reason why we often have our most creative, clearer thoughts in the shower – that’s when the pressure is off and your mind is able to wander. When your brain becomes bored, it will seek out its own stimulation – solving the problem you were thinking about all morning, coming up with new ideas or popping seemingly random thoughts into your mind.

Find out what works for you, whether that’s taking a shower, having a cup of tea, going for a walk or a drive… whatever it is, add it to your toolbox for the next time you have a big writing project on.

Have a snack

Being hungry could make you more creative – so this old article suggests – but, for me, being hungry is a sure-fire way to shut my brain down. All I can focus on is the fact that I’m hungry. If you’re the same, the next time writer’s block hits, grab a sandwich or a banana and see how quickly the fog lifts.

Play a word game

My fourth and final trick is the humble word game. Finding how many words I can make from the letters in my name is a firm favourite. I’ll be honest, I’ve no idea why it works – perhaps it is jumpstarting my brain into a new task, or focussing on the mundane challenge creates space for that creativity to move into. Whatever the reason, I know that when I’m stuck in a writing rut, playing a simple word game will more often than not get me out of it.

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