Cracking Writer’s Block

Writer's block. The wall. The unscalable, insurmountable, sky high, stony wall. Every writer chugging along eventually encounters this obstruction. Enigmatic periods of creative desolation are part of the process - that much is true. Almost from the second a writer encounters a bit of writer's block, they immediately ask, "how do I get out of it?" Let's discuss.

The first way to get over writer's block is to give yourself some time away from creating. We often lack inspiration when we've overworked ourselves. The tap, unfortunately, has run dry. If you identify with this scenario, then step back from the creative process. Take a walk. Gift yourself the joy of a week off from writing. Pick up a hobby or binge watch a television show. Time off can be revelatory.

If this does not work for you, you might be someone who needs to push through. Write consistently while distancing yourself from an inner critic who tells you that your work is not up to par. If you can silence this voice, you can begin to claw yourself back toward a period of creativity. Accept that your initial attempts at working might not be your favorite and reward yourself for doing the work anyway.

Others of you might be experience severe block because your writing process has become pedestrian. You're used to the way in which you're creating and therefore you're not excite by the process or the end product. If this is the case, then switch up what you are doing entirely. Find new writing partners. Write from a more chaotic, less orderly, place. Write from the perspective of someone you hate. Place a time constraint on your writing process. Whatever you do, make sure it is a challenge.

My favorite thing to do when I hit a block is to listen to a favorite album. Then I pick my favorite song from the album and rewrite the lyrics. This way I'm writing to melodies I know are astounding and can still get a new story out into the world. There's a million ways to tackle the wall. The one thing I know for sure is that you will get over it.