10 Methods To Beat Writer’s Block

Writer’s block. The very word alone should make any author cringe. But let’s just call it what it is often described as — fear. Fear of failure. Angst of failing yourself. Fear it won’t count or worse, that it will and you still won’t get it right. Not because you don’t have any, it’s that you can’t do anything about it. Writer’s block isn’t the lack of ideas — your brain has put up a barrier to keep you from breaking. And there is only one way to conquer it: to tear down that wall, one brick at a time, by going straight for the fear. And with the right tricks, you can break through and re-enter the joy of narrative. Here are 10 tried and true methods to do just that.

1. Establish a Routine

Creativity thrives on structure. Write at a particular time every day even if it’s just 20 minutes. With time, that regularity becomes what your brain learns to accept as creative in those moments. It need not be perfect, consistency beats genius in the fight against the block.

2. Take Strategic Breaks

Sometimes the only way forward is to go away. Go for a walk, make some household chores or just sit and think. The stops are where your unconscious can run and your brain can take stock before you make a fresh start.

3. Optimize Your Environment

The environment affects how productive you are. Clutter up your space and set an atmosphere where you feel good. Even little things can make a big difference — be it softer lighting, a cozy chair or your favourite playlist playing in the background.

4. Find Accountability

Sometimes it’s in your head when someone’s expecting something out of you. Subscribe to a writing group, get a critique partner, or just tell a close friend about your intention. Accountability – This is an external motivator to your workflow.

5. Lower Expectations

Perfection is the Creativity Killer. So don’t aim for a mastery; just write. You don’t have to be nitpicky or stupid, just remember: you can always edit. Making things appear on the page is the true triumph.

6. Get to Know Your Characters

You’re stuck in a plot? The problem is probably that you have no concept of who your characters are. Take the time to flesh out their stories, personalities and reasons. The more authentic they are, the more you can use them to steer the plot.

7. Read Widely

Reading fuels writing. READ BOOKS, SUBSTANCES, OR POEMS — at least, genres/styles you might not normally read. Sometimes just a sentence or thought is enough to ignite an idea that tears the writer’s block pipe.

8. Start at the End

If you’re not getting the hang of the beginning, skim over it. Write the finale, the ending, or a fucking good scene you love. Ending at the end shows you where to go, and could point you in the direction to take.

9. Brainstorm Like There’s No Tomorrow

When words cannot come, thoughts can. Put a timer on it and write every idea down no matter how absurd or trivial. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s momentum. There is always a gem in there somewhere.

10. Quit While You’re Ahead

Perhaps this is counterintuitive, but leaving your writing session in a high mood can be deliberate. Stop mid-scene, or mid-thought and you’ll pick up the thread more easily the next day. Come out of your writing sessions excited, not tired.

Test these techniques and see what works for you. Don’t get scared – writer’s block isn’t the lack of inspiration – it’s fear. Your brain is keeping you safe from the hive that writing demands. And terror can’t win. You chip away at that wall every time you write on a page, or tap a keyboard. Allow yourself to be uncomfortable, to be scared, and the words will come, right on time, when you’re ready to unleash them.