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Whether you’re trying to write a blog post, complete a paper for school, or prepare a script for work, you’ve likely experienced writer’s block – that feeling where writing a single word feels like pulling teeth. Inspiration is on vacation, and every minute you spend attempting to write drags you into a deeper spiral of frustration.
It’s nearly impossible to avoid entirely, but by employing a few simple strategies, you can drastically reduce its effect on your life. Here are four strategies I’ve found to be most helpful:
1) Turn writing into a routine
The first action may be the tiniest, easiest-to-overlook thing. But it is surprisingly fierce.
Greg Mckeown, Effortless: Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most
A trap that so many of us fall into is writing only when we feel a surge of inspiration. Those moments can be wonderful in terms of pumping out a large quantity of quality work, but the issue is that it hands power over to an elusive feeling that may or may not show up when you’d like.
The way we fight back and regain control is through routine. Conveniently, routine also addresses the issue of writer’s block. Writer’s block is the enemy of the once/week creator but merely an annoyance to the daily creator.
What then does a routine look like, and how do you create one? Given that most of us don’t have hours to spare each day, a feasible routine is one that we can be done daily no matter what.
The best strategy to make this happen is through comically tiny goals*. For me, I have the goal of writing two sentences per day – you read that right – two sentences. That could four words and I’d count it as a success.
What’s beautifully devious about the strategy, however, is that it’s rare that I only write two sentences. Typically, by the time I finish those sentences (today that was earlier in the paragraph), I’ve picked up enough traction to move on although if I have a busy day or am facing writer’s block, I can still meet my goal and feel successful.
As you think about what minuscule goal to take on, there’s no one-size-fits-all. The most important factor is that it can be done even on difficult days.
2) Don’t push yourself to the breaking point
Past a certain point, more effort doesn’t produce better performance. It sabotages our performance.
Greg Mckeown, Effortless: Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most
Have you ever harnessed a day full of motivation only to work yourself into the ground? As wonderful as it is to eke out an extra hour or two of writing, if that time ends up giving you a mini break-down, is it worth it? The short answer is no.
In a similar way to setting tiny goals for each day – or a lower limit of work to be completed – it can also be beneficial to set an upper limit of work. Remember, the goal is consistent writing, not brain-burning sessions that make you wonder what the hell you’re doing. Upper limits protect you from overdoing it on a given day, which in turn helps maintain your routine.
Just like with lower limits, set an upper limit that makes sense for you – it can be two hours, two pages, or a thousand words. If you’re not exactly sure where that line is, don’t be afraid to experiment – these limits aren’t set in stone.
3) Keep a notebook handy
Always carry a notebook. And I mean always. The short-term memory only retains information for three minutes; unless it is committed to paper you can lose an idea for ever.
Will Self
Whether you use a note-taking app, a physical planner, or Google Docs (my personal choice), having the ability to harness inspiration as it comes is key.
Often times writer’s block is the outcome of feeling a lack of inspiration or direction – resulting in an open document with a blinking cursor and no words behind it. We can avoid this happening by passively using our brain throughout other parts of the day. If you’ve ever solved a work problem while showering, then you know exactly what I’m talking about.
One difficulty I’ve faced with this blog is not always knowing what to write about. Thankfully, since I’ve kept a Google Doc filled with ideas for topics, this has become less of a problem. When it’s time to write a new post, I scour my list and choose whatever sounds best at the time. If it weren’t for keeping that list and writing on it whenever inspiration strikes, I’d be left fighting writer’s block much more often. That life sucks.
4) Write what you enjoy
If you try to make something just to fit your uninformed view of some hypothetical market, you will fail. If you make something special and powerful and honest and true, you will succeed.
Hugh Macleod, Ignore Everybody: And 39 Other Keys to Creativity
This may be the most obvious strategy for dealing with writer’s block, but it’s just as important as the others. Write about things you enjoy!
If I shifted to writing about weather patterns and zoology, I’d be facing writer’s block on a daily basis. Neither of those subjects are moving to me, and it would be exhausting forcing myself to write about them.
Your situation may not always allow for flexibility in what you write, but when you’re able, tackle topics you find interesting. Even in those times when you’re assigned a topic, see if you can find an angle that intrigues you. Maybe a standard book report about The Great Gatsby bores you, but what if you dug into the party habits of characters or the economics displayed within the book?
Find a perspective that works for you.
Final thoughts
Although writer’s block is inevitable, it doesn’t need to be debilitating.
With the strategies mentioned above, I hope you can turn writing into a practice that brings you energy instead of an event that burns you out!
*If you want a deeper dive into the subject, I’d highly recommend the following three books: