WRITER’S (UN)BLOCK(ED)

You may have heard about it, but you’ve never experienced it. One day, you just had no more words. Then, it happened again the next day. And the next. And the next. You can’t write. You don’t have a single word, and you don’t have the inspiration. What you have is a writer’s block. Don’t worry. It means you are officially a writer. Now, let’s see how you can overcome this situation.

FIVE STEP MOTIVATIONAL PLAN

DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM

Having writer’s block is more than frustrating, but before it overwhelms you, it’s helpful to define precisely the issue. Consider changing your environment if you’re feeling stuck in your writing routine. You might feel more inspired writing in the local coffee shop or library.

Perhaps the issue is more complicated. Ask yourself if the main character is the problem and if you are satisfied with the character arc. Another approach that might work is finding inspiration by comparing your MC to someone you know. Picture how they would react in the particular situation, their facial expression, and their behavior. Are you struggling to determine the next plot point? If you are out of ideas about the plot, returning to that file about your MC and adding more details could be wise. Writing about your MC will always give you a new direction.

RESEARCH

Thorough research is always an endless source of inspiration. When gathering information for your WIP, you may unexpectedly come across a lightning bolt of an unknown fact. Reading a real-life story allows you to discover practical ways to tackle and resolve a situation in your book. Maybe you are writing crime fiction, and your MC is about to commit the crime, but you don’t want him arrested. Analyzing similar crimes and how the perpetrators have gotten away with it might provide valuable insight into real-life situations.

My character needed to escape prison, so I read about the most audacious prison breaks. I came up with the idea soon that was original and daring, just like my character.

OUTLINE

Whenever I face writer’s block, outlining always comes to my rescue. If you are a pantser, you might need a proper outlining scheme. You can find a great one here: https://jerichowriters.com/novel-plot-outline. If it doesn’t fit your needs, look for something else. There are some great examples all over the web.

READ

One of the great ways to make your fingers type again is to read, especially within the genre you are writing. Reading within your genre is not only inspiring but also helps you discover what works for you as a reader. If you’re missing a plot point, read similar books to see how other writers deal with those dilemmas.

REWRITE AND REVISE

Choose something you wrote—it could be one of your favorite chapters or scenes—and then write it again. Since you did well with it before, you can do it again, which will improve your mood.

Revising the material you already have is a great way to get you back on track. You will remind yourself that you are good at writing and have already written countless amazing pages.

MOVE ON

Sometimes, you get stuck with the scene you haven’t figured out entirely. Don’t let that chapter hold you back—set it aside and return to it later. That piece of a puzzle is not yet ready in your head. When you complete a better part of the story, it will be easier to finish that part. In the end, there will be situations when you just have to quit your WIP. You had a great idea and started writing, but then you realized it wasn’t enough for the novel. It’s better to drop it and find another story to tell, the one that really has you invested.

Apart from all this, you can always take a break to clear your head, change the scenery, or indulge in some of your favorite pastimes. Whatever works for you and moves you forward is the right way. If none of the above works for you, you must figure out your unblocking pattern. The most important thing is not to remain paralyzed; to keep pushing until you break free from those chains. Remember, we all have been there.