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Feeling stuck in a creative rut? You're not alone. Every writer, at some point, faces the daunting wall of the creative block. It can feel like standing at the edge of a chasm, wondering how to bridge the gap between where you are and where you want your writing to take you.
Or maybe it just feels like the bridge has collapsed, and you’re dangling in mid-air, holding on for dear life and wondering if your project is about to slip into the chasm. Stay in this place long enough, and imposter syndrome will show up and bring all its friends. The next thing you know, you’re starting to doubt whether you’re a real writer and debating whether anyone would actually want to read this thing.
But before you start going down that rabbit hole of creative disruption, keep this in mind: overcoming this challenge can be transformative, filled with personal growth and newfound inspiration.
I’d argue that what we call “creative block” or “writer’s block” isn’t a real obstacle at all. It’s a natural place all writers come to when we face the task of making crucial decisions about our work, one that is often confusing and hard. Sometimes, all it takes is a little digging before you solve your particular story problem and get back on track.
Here are a few techniques that have worked for my clients and me.
Acknowledge and Accept Your Creative Block
Embracing your creative block is the crucial first step in overcoming it. Think of it as a friend, albeit a frustrating one, signaling that it’s time to pause and pay attention to your creative needs.
Have you ever experienced being busy, going nonstop, and inevitably hitting a wall? It’s kind of like that. Writer’s block can be a sign that you need to step back and get some distance (more on this in a bit).
It’s natural to feel a mix of emotions—discouragement, irritation, maybe even defeat. But encountering a block does not reflect your talent or potential as a writer. It’s a common hurdle that many, if not all, creative minds face at various stages of their journey.
By accepting this reality without self-criticism, you ease the burden of expectation that often feeds the block. This acceptance is not about resigning to the block but preparing the ground for a strategy to navigate through it. Embrace this moment as an opportunity for growth and renewal, paving the way for innovative solutions to flourish.
Overthinking It Makes It Worse
It seems like nobody is better at overthinking than writers, and ironically, the path to dissolving that formidable writer's block might just be to stop actively trying to conquer it.
It's a curious phenomenon, but our minds tend to tighten around a problem the more we prod and poke at it, making creative breakthroughs all the more elusive. Instead, consider stepping into a different rhythm of life—immerse yourself in the simplicity of daily activities.
Whether it's making dinner, exercising, or even cleaning the bathroom, these tasks, no matter how monotonous, can be precisely what your brain needs to take a break. Amid these activities, your creativity quietly works in the background, untangling the knots of your writing problems without direct focus.
In this gentle distraction, the light bulb moments we so desperately seek often find their way to us. But this won’t happen if you keep banging your head against the wall and obsessing about why the answers to your problems aren’t coming. Sometimes, you just need to get out of your own way.
Step Away and Recharge Creatively
While the simple activities described above can unlock new solutions, creative tasks apart from writing can also do this. Listen to music, watch a movie, or hit pause to get in a chapter or two in a book you’re reading.
These experiences can nourish your creativity, offering fresh perspectives and ideas that can subtly seep into your writing. Think of this not as a retreat from your work but as an exploration, a way to enrich your inner landscape.
Creativity thrives on variety, and sometimes, the best way to move forward is to take in things that inspire you. You may even find something in the art you explore that brings you a potential path or solution to what you’re working on.
Break Your Project into Manageable Chunks
Are you writing a book and starting to feel overwhelmed? This tip is for you.
Facing a monolithic project can amplify feelings of being stuck, transforming creative blocks from small obstacles to impenetrable walls. To counter this, try slicing your project into digestible, achievable segments.
Aim for modest goals during each writing endeavor—crafting a vibrant scene, penning dialogue, or fleshing out the backstory of one of your characters. These smaller, focused tasks make the process less daunting and more approachable.
They serve as stepping stones towards completing your project and as a means to reignite your confidence and sense of accomplishment. Every small task completed is a victory that brings you closer to your goal of completing a draft.
Don’t look at the entirety of the project—this will easily make you overwhelmed and bring on feelings of overwhelm and hopelessness. Embracing the approach of small assignments helps dismantle the creative block, piece by manageable piece, gradually clearing the path for your creativity to flow freely again.
Connect with Fellow Writers
Navigating through a creative block can feel like a solitary endeavor, but it doesn't have to be. Reaching out and connecting with fellow writers can create a sense of community and shared purpose that illuminates your path forward.
Engaging in conversations, whether in in-person writing groups, online forums, or on Zoom, opens up a space for mutual encouragement and exchanging ideas. In these interactions, you can find solace in shared struggles and joy in collective triumphs.
Exploring the diverse ways in which others approach their craft can spark new insights and approaches to your own work. This camaraderie provides emotional support and introduces new techniques and perspectives for tackling creative block. Sharing your journey, listening to others, and offering your understanding can be a powerful antidote to the isolation that often accompanies creative challenges.
The writing journey isn’t meant to happen in a vacuum. It thrives on connection, and by fostering these relationships, you're not just finding writer's block solutions; you're building a network of creativity and support that extends far beyond the page.
Experiment with Different Writing Exercises
Diving into writing exercises can be a delightful detour around the roadblock of creative block. These exercises serve as a playground for your imagination, where the usual writing rules take a backseat to exploration and experimentation.
Consider engaging in a spontaneous free writing session, allowing your thoughts to flow unchecked onto the page. You can also tackle writing prompts, which invite you to step outside your narrative comfort zones and venture into uncharted thematic territories of your work. The beauty of these activities lies in their ability to shift your perspective, sparking new ideas and offering a refreshing escape from the cyclical patterns of overthinking that often accompany writer's block.
It’s not about crafting a masterpiece on the first try but giving yourself the freedom to play with words and rediscover the joy in the creative process.
Feeling Stuck on Creative Block?
In addition to these tips, I’ve got a couple of other tools for smashing creative block.
First, grab a copy of The Ultimate Writing Project Workbook. This free book gives you writing prompts, templates, and techniques for shaping your work in progress or starting something new. Just choose an element of your story to work on and use the tools inside to figure out new narrative aspects to explore.
Second, book a complimentary Virtual Meetup. This free 30-minute Zoom will give you uninterrupted access to my time. We’ll discuss your story problem or other writing-related questions so you can break your creative block and get your process moving again. I’ll even give you a bonus gift for taking a free call.
Happy writing!
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