How to Get Over Writer’s Block

These steps will work, but they may take some time. Some people will get over their writer’s block faster than others, but this will teach you how to go to the next step, rather than not knowing what to do. First I will define a number of different positions people can be in when they feel the so-called writer’s block and afterwards I’ll add an easy three-step solution.

People claim they have writer’s block when they are in one of the following positions:

• Blank slate syndrome. This is when you want to write and you take a blank sheet of paper (or a computer screen) and for some reason you can’t write anything down on it. You have either no idea what to write or you have a story, but don’t know how to start.
• Sudden stop. One moment you are jolting down the words and the other moment you can’t put down a single word that seems right. You start the same sentence over and over again, each time deleting it right after you finished it.
• The not so sudden stop. You stopped writing because of various reasons and when you come back to your manuscript, you’re stuck. Somehow you don’t manage to write on in the same style as the words already written. It’s frustrating; you know you have written down the other things, so why do you now write things that don’t even sound half as good?
• The happening. Your girlfriend dumped you, someone died, your life changes and you can’t write. (And in some cases even read things anymore) Your emotions seem to be blocking the path to your writing. Although in this case, the steps still apply it might be easier to try and write down your thoughts first or to try and deal with the emotions before you start writing again.

The Three-Step Solution

Step One: Denial

Yes, the solution to solving your problem is denial. Most writers I know that are published agree on this. Writer’s block doesn’t exist. You can say like Neil Gaiman: “It doesn’t exist, you can be stuck on something, but there is no block that is lying on your table preventing you from writing. After all if you think right, you can write text messages, e-mails and other things. You are just stuck on the piece you are writing.” This is a big step. Even just calling it something different and making sure that you haven’t lost your skill, but are just stuck on something, will help.

Step Two: Write

This may seem easy to say, but what I mean is that you need to write something, anything. Take your favorite book and copy the first three sentences. Then try to write on. Write how angry you are that you are stuck on some piece of writing and how horrible it is. Anything is fine; just write down how this article isn’t helping you at all. Now that you’ve written something you’ll feel a lot better. At least you can still write something totally useless.

Step Three: Write Again

Now that you’ve confirmed that you can still write horrible things and it’s only the good things that don’t come up, you can turn back to the initial thing you wanted to write. Now write on in the horrible fashion you wrote the other things. Like Juliet E. McKenna says: “Don’t get it right, get it written.” I don’t know if she invented it, re-invented it or just spreads the word, she’s right. The idea is to get past writer’s block and that you can do only by writing. If you manage to write on, you’ve already beaten the system. You can edit later. You can delete all and write the same paragraph four times until you think it is right. You don’t have to care. Write now and edit later. Basically at this point you’ve beaten writer’s block. Remember good writing evolves from bad writing, it doesn’t just pop out of the ground.