You are here probably because you are trying hard to figure out a way to finish those half-written narratives, regain your lost confidence as a writer, or you couldn’t ideate at all as you used to earlier.
Have you ever wanted to skip to your favourite part of writing, which is writing without a break? As writers, most of us desire to achieve this state of sanity, in which we often fail. Well, that is writer’s block, my friends.
A lot of you (us) deal with it once in a while or more frequently. But little do you (even I, sometimes) have an idea about how to come out of it to start flexing your creative muscles again.
What does writer’s block feel like?
You must have faced this challenge as a writer, where you already have a plot, you know what to write, but you don’t know how to write it. So you just end up staring at the computer screen for hours to only regret not writing anything.
I have been there. And you know who else?
Charles Dickens, Ernest Hemingway, Margaret Atwood, and many other accomplished writers have passed through this phase. And these writers have been successful because they figured out a way to deal with this ‘creative paralysis,’ and today, you’ll find a way too.
Exhaustion
Writers are not content mills to keep grinding day in and day out. Especially when you have so much on your plate, you are more likely to experience severe creative burnout, impacting your productivity. But, there is a way out of this hell. Your body and brain need rest. Yes, that’s the way out. I know you are a hard-working person and ambitious, but that doesn’t mean you stress your body and brain more than it deserves. Work burnout can be a major impediment to in your path. Instead, acknowledge that you have done enough work and your body needs rest. Go on a vacation, pick up a hobby for some days, stay away from work, and enjoy life before getting back to your desk.
Oscillating between too many or few ideas.
Do you create an outline before you finally resort to writing? If you don’t have a plan or a story outline, you will achieve nothing. Instead, you are most likely to beat around the bushes and create a confusing and annoying story.
A clear structure and outline are essential to churn out a compelling and neat story. If you are scribbling without an outline, it’s time to rethink. Ideate your story and start giving it a shape.
Too many or too few ideas can be a major roadblock for writers in completing their stories. So, don’t let that happen to you. Do not start without a complete idea of your story.
Perfection
Most writers, initially, try to bring perfection to their artwork called story. Remember, perfection doesn’t exist. As long as you can reflect your thoughts and ideas well and are confident that they resonate with your reader, you are almost there. Also, remember that first drafts are never good, and you don’t have to expect perfection in your first draft. It is ok; no matter how sloppy or terrible it is, you can always edit it and give it a better shape.
Revise your routine
Change your work environment; work in a cafe for a change, a park, or your balcony. Change your go-to-beverage while writing; switch your tea with lemonade. Go for long walks; watch a movie for a change. Take yourself out for a good brunch and read something interesting instead of staring at the screen for endless hours; if you prefer to use a Word doc for writing, try writing on a paper for a change.
Try the Pomodoro Technique
According to Francesco Cirillo, the creator of the Pomodoro technique, people are most productive in 25-minute increments. Set your phone’s timer or download Pomodoro apps. Stay committed to your task for the set time period. Do not let any distractions hinder your productivity (no email, no brewing coffees in between, scrolling through the Instagram feed, etc.). Do whatever it takes to finish your task at hand. Take your well-deserved break after 25 minutes.
Cry all you want
Not literally, but yeah, venting out helps in regaining your sanity. Try jotting down all the creative challenges you face during writer’s block. There are two benefits of it. First, you vent it out, which helps you deal with the stress. And two, jotting down and thinking about your challenges may help you find a solution.
Once you are done, stay away from work. Instead, take a break and binge-watch your favourite series. It will rejuvenate and re-energize you if work burnout is the culprit.
Try something unique or adventurous.
Go for a marathon run or make new friends and plan badminton sessions with them. Play your favourite music, and dance like no one’s watching you. Watch your favourite cartoon shows. Draw, paint, sketch, or go on a holiday hike. So, do whatever makes you happy. Sporting is proven to release happy hormones, aka endorphins, which help in the creative flow and in regaining your lost energy.
There is nothing that music can’t heal.
Remember the last time you had trouble sleeping? Be grateful to your favourite playlist for lullabying you to bed. Thanks to advanced technology, you can get wet in the mood of music when and wherever you want.
Creative block is like a mental paralysis for writers, for which music can be good medicine.
Music can set the entire atmosphere right and inspire you to work on things that you love the most.
Conclusion
Does writer’s block terrify or distress you? You are not alone. Almost all writers experience it. It is nothing but exhaustion from work and not permanent. If you are a writer and struggling with writer’s block, this guide surely helps you come out of it. If it does, don’t forget to share your experience with us.
By Manjari Gupta
