Ever have that feeling where you are really excited and begin writing something you are really passionate about, then all of a sudden, out of nowhere, it all stops?!
Like your flowing train of thought just runs out of gas?! I know I have! And guess what, it is completely NORMAL!
Writer’s block is prevalent for any person who has the guts to sit down and write.
Writing can be one of the most freeing ways to get all that is in your mind on paper. But there are several things that can hinder that process and make you feel unqualified to complete what you were working so hard on.
Some Causes of Writer’s Block
The good news: writer’s block is not impossible to overcome. It will vary depending on what is taking place in your life. But there are some steps you can take to pinpoint what is causing it, so you can conquer it. In my eBook Before You Get Started, I cover some things that can hinder your writing:
- Timing: When you are doing exactly what you are created to do, in the proper balance and timing, it will flow out of you like a river. A book, or even a blog, is the same way.
- Period of drought: This is a dry feeling of not being able to write cohesive messages.
Other causes of writer’s block include
- Life Interruptions: Financial, emotional, relational, or even spiritual strain can derail your writing and shift your focus to the conflict instead of the calling.
- Busyness: Saying “yes” to many things, can sometimes leave you feeling overwhelmed and depleted. If you run on empty, when it comes time to write, you may have nothing to give.
What Can We Do To Finally Overcome It? Overcoming writer’s block is not defeated by a formula.
Writing styles, personalities, and even commitments vary like fingerprints. What might work for you this time, may not work for you the next, so be flexible and open to trying a new strategy when writer’s block hits.
Are you ready to destroy that wall stopping you from completing your work?
Here are 15 ways to help you process and move past your writer’s block:
- Pray and seek God for wisdom.
- Exercise – focusing on something physical can bring on those feel-good endorphins!
- Eliminate distractions by removing what steals your mental energy. (Shut off Netflix!)
- Do something with your hands. (Playing cards and Legos are a great start)
- Change your environment by writing in a new place.
- Read a book that inspires you.
- Journal. (Writing in a place you feel free can get those juices flowing)
- Listen to music. (Play your favorite playlist)
- Add some caffeine. A cup of tea or coffee goes a long way!!
- Create a consistent routine.
- Spend time with your favorite person.
- Call up a friend.
- Brainstorm some ideas and outline them.
- Listen to a podcast by a favorite speaker.
- Share your writing ideas with someone you trust. (Input can be helpful!)
Putting Pen to Paper
Overcoming writer’s block may not be easy, but it is possible! Even when you have done all the suggestions above, there is still one final piece that can surely get things moving. When you have done all you can do: JUST WRITE!
When you sit down and start to free write, it will eventually lead somewhere. You don’t need to have an agenda. It doesn’t even have to be perfect. The whole point is to get in the habit of not waiting for inspiration in order to write. The truth is, it won’t always come when you expect it. Oftentimes, I find creativity comes once you begin the work of opening your mind and getting words on paper.
As Jeff Goins says in his article How to Overcome Writer’s Block: 14 Tricks That Work, “The difference between professional writers and amateurs is this: Both encounter blocks, but one pushes through while the other gets paralyzed.”
The key is to just get started.
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