"Goodbye, Writer’s Block!": 10 Proven Techniques to Get Words on the Page

Tap your fingers on the keyboard.

Stare out the window.

Spin around in your chair.  (To the inventor of swivel chairs, thank you.)

Think about your next meal.  Ughh, food sounds really good right now.

Stare out the window … again.

At this point, you start asking yourself if writing a book is such a great idea after all.  Before you get too far down that rabbit hole—IT IS.  Your diagnosis is a common case of writer’s block.  And here’s the good news—it’s normal, and you will get past it.  

“Writer’s block is a phenomenon experienced by writers that is best described as an overwhelming feeling of being stuck in the writing process without the ability to move forward with anything new.”  It’s when you find yourself staring at a blank Google Doc for hours at a time and can’t find the words—or any words—to get going.  

While it’s frustrating, jumpstarting your creativity in the form of words landing on a blank page isn’t as complicated as you might think.  Overcoming writer’s block can be as easy as a change of scenery or even striking up a conversation with your friends.   

Everyone’s different, but one of these strategies is guaranteed to do the trick for you.  Now, spin that chair back around, grab a snack, and keep reading because I’m coming in hot with ten techniques to banish the block.  

1. Eliminate Distractions

This might be a given but you’d be surprised how many folks sit down to write with the TV on in the background, their phone right beside them (along with all the notifications engaged … all of them …), other pieces of work to the side, and social media pulled up.   

One of the easiest things to help with writer’s block is to eliminate distractions.  Set yourself up a clean, clutter-free workspace.  I know you’ve heard it a million times, but it makes a HUGE difference.  (Imagine me saying “HUGE” in my best Oprah voice.)  How I know it works and that it makes a difference is I can pound out pages upon pages of content while on a plane, and this is because I don’t have the distractions of home.  The social media notifications aren’t ringing and pinging, the TV’s not on, and there’s nowhere for me to get up and roam off to.  I’ve written more books, articles, and blog posts on planes than I can count.  And it’s because of the elimination of distractions.  Again, I’m not just giving you more of the same of what you’ve heard elsewhere.  Trust me on this one.

But if you can’t jump on a plane to write, be intentional with things such as your phone and social media.  We live in a day and age where our phones are our literal lifeline.  For realz—I’m one of those people!  But leaving your phone on silent in another room or putting it on airplane mode and logging out of social media keeps you from unintentionally scrolling through notifications or updates. 

The less you have to steal your attention, the easier it is to organize your thoughts and focus on your writing.

2. Exercise Freewriting

This one is magical.  Open a blank Google Doc and just start writing.  Pay no mind to grammar, structure, coherence, or any of the things that matter with your actual manuscript.  Write anything that comes to mind. Take your thoughts, no matter what they are, and put them on paper.  No filters here. Literally, take pen to paper—or fingers to keyboard—and write whatever comes up. 

You’re probably wondering how something this limitless can help with writer’s block.  That’s just it—there are no limits.  And that’s liberating.  This simply gets your thoughts flowing and allows you to get past the mental block holding you back.  You put so much thought and structure into your manuscript.  And writing without having to worry about every single detail gives your mind a much-needed break.  

Give it a shot.  It does wonders.

3. Find Your Optimal Writing Time

I’m a morning person.  Hands down.  And I’m talking about a very early morning person.  Always have been. So, if I put pen to paper—it’s before the sun comes up and while the rest of the fam is snoozing.  (Although with me living in the Phoenix, Arizona area, the warmer it gets, the sooner I have to get on the bike trail.  We’re talking no later than 6:30 a.m., then I return to writing as soon as I park the bike and finish cooling off. Tangent ... I know.)

When is your optimal time?  When are you the most productive? When do you feel the most alert and focused?  Be intentional to schedule your writing sessions during these times.  If you crank out brilliant ideas more so in the evening—don’t set your alarm for 5:00 a.m. with expectations to write a novel.  Work with your energy.  

Be consistent to write during your optimal time every day.  Make your optimal writing time a priority. Once you establish a routine, you free yourself from worrying about when you’ll complete specific tasks—writing specifically.  

4. Switch Writing Methods

Even the most profound authors, such as Shonda Rhimes, have had to find ways to overcome the dreaded writer’s block.  One technique I’ve found to be extremely effective with authors is to switch up your writing method.  

If you normally write on your laptop, try switching to pen and paper or vice versa.  A unique approach to this strategy is dictation.  Google Voice Typing is a free voice-to-text tool within Google Docs that allows you to quickly express your thoughts and ideas without writing them out.  Speaking your ideas out loud creates a natural flow of expression.  This is helpful when you’re trying to break through the barriers of putting your thoughts into written form.  Plus, this is a lifesaver if you randomly find a spark of creativity or an idea suddenly pops into your head. If you’re speeding down the freeway, first of all, PULL OVER!  Then whip your phone out and use this resource to your advantage. 

Switching things up taps into different areas of your brain and stimulates creativity.  Just remember—writing anything at all is your ultimate goal.  Embrace imperfection.  First drafts are rarely ever perfect.  This is a journey, not an instant final destination.

5. Use Writing Prompts

Writing prompts are specifically designed to assist you with writing about a particular topic in a certain way.  They’re an incredible resource to help with writer’s block because they challenge you to a different point of view while working through your reasoning and analysis.  

There are hundreds of different books and creative exercises online that will spark your imagination and get you back on track.

I talk about this in a recent blog post.  If you’re looking for inspiration, search trending hashtags such as #writingprompts or #writingtips.

6. Set Specific Due Dates

There’s nothing like a deadline to bring out your highest accountability.  If you know, subconsciously, there are no expectations or due dates—it’s easy to drag out the writing process.  I’m one of those people.  If I don’t have a due date for getting something done, then it can get done whenever with “whenever” being a Tuesday in August in the year 2093.  Seriously.

Take this strategy further and share your due date with a friend or another author. Will you have an outline created by a certain date?  A list of bulleted ideas jotted down by the end of the month?  A total of 1,000 words written before the end of each weekend?  Holding yourself accountable is the first step—but having an accountability partner just might give you the extra umph you need to reach your goals.  

7. Take Breaks

One of the most important things you can do when you’re writing is to step away from your project from time to time.  This is especially important when you’re desperate for a cure for writer’s block.  

Give yourself permission to do something you enjoy.  Go for a hike.  Go out to dinner with your friends.  Lay on the couch with a bag of chips and binge your favorite show—I won’t judge; I promise.  (Tangent ... I just recently discovered “Buried in the Backyard” on Oxygen and couldn’t pull myself away one Saturday.  I had to keep rewinding the episodes, though, because my desire to write a blog post kept interrupting my viewing!)  Whatever it is that recharges your batteries—do that.  And don’t feel guilty about it. Enjoy your break.

Clear your mind and improve your focus. It works!

8. Change Your Environment

I could be sitting at my office right now, writing this blog, but instead, I’m sitting on the floor in our family room with a bottle of sparkling water at my side.  Okay. That's not the biggest change of scenery. So, on another day, I’ll take my laptop out to lunch. Seriously.  In between bites of food, I’m cranking out words.  (There are times when my plate gets pushed to the side because my fingers are fired up, and I’m on such a roll!)  Finding a change in scenery does wonders when you’re looking for new inspiration.  

Most folks write in their home or in the same office day in and day out.  I’ve seen this with so many authors.  If you’re stuck—put yourself in new surroundings.  Exploring different locations will stimulate your senses and bring in different angles of creativity.  

Not sure where to go?  Check out local coffee shops, cafés, parks, and libraries, or look into renting a small workspace. Try different places to discover what works best for you.  

9. Overcome Writer’s Block with Extensive Reading and Research

At first glance, this might sound daunting.  But consider audiobooks.  Dive into different books and resources surrounding your genre—and even different genres—and other styles of writing.  Expose yourself to new ideas and different perspectives apart from your own.

Pull a book from your favorite author and start reading.  Search for a replay of a popular webinar and listen to how they’re presenting their information.  Think about how you can apply their techniques to your own manuscript. 

Immersing yourself in different styles of writing introduces you to diverse vocabulary and illustrations.  And when you’re exposed to disparate writing techniques, you open an array of possibilities in your own skills. 

Taking a reading break for yourself may help you get into the groove of articulating what you want to write for others to read. Get out of your own head and you may just find the spark of inspiration you’ve been looking for. 

10. Seek Feedback

How many times have you talked with someone and thought “Hmm…  I’ve never thought about it that way before”?

Think about trusted friends or family, online communities, or a writing group you can share your efforts with.  (And just so we're clear, do not get editing from friends and family; at this point, you're only getting feedback. Besides, there's more than one kind of editing—that comes later down the road—and unless someone is a professional editor, they won't know the difference between a fused sentence and a hole in the ground.)

A different perspective, even from a non-author, can give you fresh insights and the motivation you need to keep writing.  And don’t think you have to have a finished product to share your work.  A work-in-progress is just the same.  Most importantly—decide beforehand to be accepting of constructive criticism.  Don’t let your ego stand in the way here.

And just like that…

Say "Goodbye" to Writer’s Block

Overcoming writer’s block is a common challenge—even for the most experienced authors.  Try out different strategies and regain your creative momentum.  

Writing your manuscript—and writing in general—is a continuous journey.  It’s okay to pause along the way and give yourself time to regain focus.  Remember to celebrate the small victories.  Don’t allow this process to become mundane and frustrating.  If it took you two hours to write one paragraph—celebrate that.  You’re one step closer to becoming a published author than you were two hours prior.

Above all else—keep writing.  Always keep writing.  Stay committed to your goals and this essential stepping stone for your career.  Writer’s block will come and go but your passion is always there.  

Trust in your unique abilities.  Embrace your voice.  And recognize, my friend, that this is a masterpiece in the making.

And once you get past the block—contact us, and we’ll get this gem published!