Writers Block

Guest post by Lynsey Patterson

The Cure for Writers Block

Writer’s block is a term we often hear being thrown around. Is this just a term we have created for times when we struggle to put pen to paper? Is it an excuse that we make when we haven’t even tried? I know months go by when I haven’t sat down to write, and I have heard myself say it’s writer’s block when it is a case of me not having carved out time to write. However, it is true that sometimes when we sit down to write the words do not flow as freely as other times. Here are five different strategies to overcome the dreaded writer’s block.

Shake up your writing routine.

Who says we have to commit to create a regular writing practice? Numerous articles
tell us we have to have a structured writing practice but do we really? Are you a
night owl or an early bird? Grasp those times and use them. Whatever time works for
you. It might be four am in the morning just before the kids wake up or it could be
12pm at night when the whole house is asleep. Rather than creating a practice just
write when it suits you. What works for you might not work for someone else. When
you write is a personal matter.

Enjoy Distractions

Today we have more distractions than ever. Give yourself a certain amount of time to be distracted. It’s ok to spend a bit of time mindlessly scrolling through Instagram reels and Facebook. You might see something that inspires your writing. Who says we shouldn’t be distracted? Sometimes distractions make us think of other ideas. In a world of distractions go with it rather than fighting against it.

Get Physical

How many times do we sit and stare at the screen or a blank page and find that
nothing comes to mind? It’s as if you have never written a word in your life. As Jane
Fonda said, “Let’s get physical.” Getting up and going for a walk stimulates the mind.
Exercise and movement help the brain and create endorphins in the body which can
be helpful for our writing practice.

Change of Scenery

Write somewhere different. Instead of writing at home can you write in your local coffee shop or write outside. Being in nature can be transformative. Is there a local garden that you can find to write in? Maybe writing by the river might inspire words to flow. Being around water can be therapeutic and rousing enough to help your writing. Take yourself out of your usual environment and see how it impacts your writing.

Do something completely different

There is no doubt that there are times when writing can be more difficult than others. During these times you could take a break and do something else. Play chess, play a musical instrument. Do a crossword puzzle. Do the housework or laundry. Anything that directs your attention away from writing. Then you can return to your writing fresh and ready to write. The important thing is to shake up your writing routine. If you keep doing the same thing the results will always be the same. Mix it up and see how your writing improves. Think about what you can do differently to feed your creative mind.

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Lynsey is a writer and teacher based in the Northern Territory Australia. She has been published by Mslexia, Wingless Dreamer and has been posted online by Bookfox. She is currently trying to cure her own writers block and is trying to finish many different writing projects.