What To Do About Writer’s Block
Thanks to the inspiration of other writers, including ones I’ve encountered on Substack, I’ve come into a period of deep growth as a fiction writer, even starting a second WIP. As I tackle my new, challenging projects and attempt to balance them with an increasing amount of distractions, I find myself running into writer’s block more often than I did while drafting my first novel. I recently discovered a couple additional strategies for overcoming hangups when some of my usual strategies weren’t cutting it.
Below is a list of all the ways I get through writer’s block. I hope you’ll find a new method among this list that works for you.
1. Take A Walk
Fresh air equals fresh ideas. When it comes to beating writer’s block, a walk usually does it for me, whether I’m stuck on figuring out how to connect different plot points or how to address a plot problem that has cropped up.
I’ve always thought there’s something almost magical about the way it works; it’s as if the answers just float in the breeze, and I absorb them as I walk through them.
I recently came across a set of Stanford studies done in 2014 that showed students who walked while trying to come up with creative ideas were able to produce more ideas than students who tried to come up with them while sitting. Apparently, the increased circulation of blood and oxygen helps us think more acutely. So it’s not magic—it’s science.
2. Do Chores
I often find the missing piece to my plot puzzle while I’m cleaning up around the house. I think it’s the combination of moving around and doing mundane tasks. Both allow my thoughts to flow freely.
So the next time you’re not sure what to do about writer’s block, give those piles of dishes and laundry you’ve been ignoring some attention. You might be surprised how well humdrum housework can recharge your writing brain too.
3. Work Out
And here’s a continuation of the physical activity pattern.
I often get a rush of ideas while I’m hitting the weights, so I like to keep a notebook or my phone in reach. I’ll type my ideas up in my phone notepad app or jot them in my notebook between sets.
If you’re going to try this, I don’t recommend having TV on in the background. I’ve found it works best if I’m exercising alone and am also listening to music—particularly a kind I might listen to while trying to concentrate at my desk.
4. Read
Reading someone else’s work when you’re feeling stuck can be really inspiring. You don’t necessarily have to read fiction to get through a block with a fiction project either. There have been times when reading articles and nonfiction books related to the themes in my story helped me determine the main things I wanted to say on those themes.
5. Have A Nice Chat
I can’t tell you how many times a conversation sparked an amazing idea for my book. It always feels like it was meant to be when that happens, especially if it’s with a stranger. I’ll think to myself, wow, if I hadn’t walked into that antique shop at that exact time on that day, I never would have gotten the information I needed to complete this part of my story.
If you’re too introverted to engage with people you meet out and about, you could instead meet a friend or family member for coffee or dinner to catch up. You never know what inspiration or useful knowledge they’ll provide you with.
6. Go Exploring
Writer’s block is a great excuse to finally check out that store, park, or city you’ve heard so much about but haven’t found time to visit yourself. New environments and experiences are wonderful inspiration. I’ve often been pleasantly surprised with the right insight at the right time by getting out of the house and exploring somewhere I’ve never been, just like I discussed with conversations in the previous point.
7. Cook
This one is my newest discovery. I was stuck on how to get to the next big part of my story, and I decided to break to make dinner. As I chopped vegetables, my mind relaxed and wandered, straight into the answer I needed. I can’t believe I didn’t realize sooner how well cooking clears my head of enough clutter for the right ideas to emerge.
I now like to keep my notebook on my dining room table during the cooking process. That way, when I’m letting something simmer or waiting for the oven timer, I can run over and scribble any good stuff that’s come to me.
8. Hire A Book Coach
If none of the other ideas work for you, I recommend book coaching. A book coach can give you suggestions for where to take your story when you’re feeling stuck. They can also help sift through material you’ve already written but haven’t placed in the story yet to determine if any of it is usable.
In addition to planning parts of your book with you, a book coach will motivate you to move forward and push you when you’re procrastinating. They’ll be someone you can lean on when you’re feeling overwhelmed by the writing process.
View my rates for book coaching.
MJ Biggs is the author of the novel A Wonderful Place To Die.