When the rains of lethargy and inertia washes over you slowly peeling back the layers of motivation, it may seem like the hardest thing in the world to write, let alone to overcome writer’s block. As a writer who tries to write everyday, it can often feel daunting and even hopeless to just sit and wait for the words to churn out. And when the words don’t come out at all the way you want them to, you are just left staring at a blank screen. Your body may even start to tremble as feelings of failure and anguish take over. And then, before you know it, you are stuck. But I don’t want you to get to that point. If you are currently searching the Internet for inspiration or even asking chatgpt for writing ideas, then you should continue reading.
Do anything but write
It might seem counterproductive to do anything but write, but it really does work. When you suddenly feel uninspired and unmotivated, sometimes the best thing to do is simply to take a step back and do something else. Go out for a jog, engage in some retail therapy, listen to music, or read a book. While your latest writing project is placed on that metaphorical back burner, I guarantee you that inspiration will come while you are doing something else, and most likely when you least expect it.
Use the chain story method
Remember that story game that you used to play in your English classes way back when? You know, one person would give a sentence, and then another person would give another sentence, and so on until you came up with something that sounds like absolute drivel but a story nonetheless. Well, to get your writing gears rolling, trying using the chain story method. What this will accomplish is getting you to relax and laugh, while you get those creative juices flowing.
Write about your feelings
A very wise person once told me something when I was complaining about writer’s block. They told me that I should simply write about it. It seemed unfathomable to me. Write about writer’s block? But despite my feelings of unease and apprehension, I tried it. And it got me writing. So, when you feel stuck, then just write about how it makes you feel.
Use writing prompts
This is one that I have used a lot, and that is to use writing prompts. There are several writing prompt generators on the Internet like this one, or this one. Writing prompts are helpful in that they present a unique situation that you must flesh out. Basically, they get you writing.
Find inspiration through images
I have used this method on my own blog. A few years ago, I couldn’t think what to write. So, I rippled through a gallery of images. I selected one image. And then, I wrote about it. This was a catharsis for me in that I felt myself being stripped away of all the feelings of demotivation and failure as I focused on a specific goal: describing an image.
Create a mind map
Anyone who has had to go through the entire writing process in an English class in high school would be familiar with creating a mind map. A mind map is a great way for the writer to map out their ideas during the brainstorming part of the writing process. The writer begins with a topic. And then, the writer draws three (or more) lines that are related, or are sub-topics. The writer can then draw more lines connecting those sub-topics to even more sub-topics. The purpose of creating a mind map is to narrow your topic down. Create a mind map to help give your writing focus, and you will also overcome writer’s block.
Eat something good
And lastly, it is possible that you might have a bout of writer’s block due to the simple fact that you are hungry. Being hungry can take a physical toll on your body. But did you know that being hungry can also affect your mind as well? When you are hungry, your ability to focus, to remember, and make decisions can affect you mentally, thus contributing to writer’s block. Make sure that you eat something good so that you are nourishing your body and mind.
Conclusion
Writer’s block is normal. It’s nature’s way of reminding us to take a step back and breathe. So next time you have writer’s block, just remind yourself that it is not forever. Go do something else and you will be ready to tackle your writing project with fresh eyes and a new mindset.
How do you overcome writer’s block? Tell me about it in the comments below.
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