7 tips for navigating writer's block

There have been many times when I’ve stared at my laptop screen, wishing the words would come to me. I usually know the message I’m trying to convey, but I can’t seem to begin or continue where I left off. In moments like this, I can pretty quickly recognize the culprit: writer’s block, that all too common barrier to entry.

As writers, we have to figure out how to push past this barrier so that our words don’t get stuck behind it. I’ve developed some helpful strategies for doing so, and I’m sharing them here today in hopes that they’ll help you too.

1.) View writer’s block as a building block. I used to get so frustrated whenever I had writer’s block. I would berate myself, insisting that the words would flow more freely if only I were a better writer. I’ve since realized, though, that writer’s block is not a reflection of a writer’s skillsets. It’s something we all encounter, no matter how much experience we have. And we don’t ever really “overcome” it; we learn to navigate it. If we view writer’s block as an insurmountable barrier, we’ll end up feeling defeated by it. But if we accept that it’s part of the process — and even a building block toward something greater — we can adopt the right mindset and more easily move past it.

2.) Free-write. Writing freely for five or 10 minutes can be a great way to address writer’s block. This is partly because when you free-write, you’re writing for yourself instead of an audience, which means there’s less pressure. I typically free-write by hand; it forces me to slow down, and it makes my writing feel less formal. If you’re unsure what to free-write about, experiment with writing prompts. Here are some of my go-to’s:

• Describe your biggest regret.

• Recount a time when you broke a childhood rule.

• Describe a smell or taste that reminds you of home.

• Describe your first memory.

• What’s something you miss?

• What scares you the most?

• What’s worth doing even if you fail?

Credit: Unsplash

3.) Acknowledge your inner critic. Writer’s block often stems from an inner critic that tells you you’re not good enough. You have no idea what you’re talking about, the inner critic seems to say. You’ve done it before, but this time you’re going to fail. This critic isn’t all bad; sometimes it reminds you of what you need to improve upon as a writer. But it’s not worth listening to the critic when you first sit down to write, or when you’re in drafting mode. Acknowledge your inner critic, then check back in with it later once you shift into final draft and self-editing mode.

4.) Adjust your expectations. Set realistic goals that feel achievable, instead of lofty goals that pause your progress. If you set out to write a few thousand words in one sitting, you may feel so overwhelmed that you end up focusing more on the desired outcome than on the writing itself. Similarly, if you set out to write “the perfect draft,” you may get so caught up in small details (syntax, word order, pacing, etc.) that your perfectionism becomes its own kind of block. If you find this happening, try lowering your standards, knowing that you can raise them when writing subsequent drafts and self-editing. “Shitty first drafts — all good writers write them,” says Anne Lamott in Bird by Bird. “This is how they end up with good second drafts and terrific third drafts.”

5.) Create an outline. If you’re experiencing writer’s block at the start of a writing project, try creating an outline. I’m a big fan of outlining because it helps me organize my thoughts and enables me to move beyond my writer’s block. Outlining gives me a low-stakes way of thinking about what I want to write and the order I which I want to write it. This front-end work gives me an easier entry point, and it makes the writing process feel more efficient and productive.

I like using mini origami paper when outlining. Here’s an outline for one of my book chapters.

6.) Talk about it out loud. My husband Troy is my first reader, and he’s also my first listener. When I know what I want to say but can’t figure out how to put it in writing, I talk about it out loud with him. When doing so, the most relevant and interesting points emerge, and my ideas begin to crystalize. I can also tell when there’s something I don’t understand clearly enough; if I can’t talk about it comprehensively, it’s usually a sign that I need to do more reflecting, reporting, and/or research. After talking freely about what I want to say, I can then write about it with greater ease.

7.) Read other work that inspires you. Some of my writer friends say that reading others’ work can feel daunting — so much so that it exacerbates their writer’s block. For me, the opposite is true. When I need to get over my writer’s block, I often refer to my commonplace journal, where I keep track of well-written passages that I’ve curated from books, essays, and articles. I also refer to the audio versions of my favorite books. If time is on my side, I’ll go for a walk and listen to one of these books. When I sit back down to write, that barrier between me and my writing begins to fade away.

I’d love to hear from you! What are some of your tips for handling writer’s block? Have any questions for me about it? Share your tips/thoughts/questions in the comments section:

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