Writer's block, we’ve all been there before. Sitting and staring at a blank screen, fingers frozen in panic as you realise... you’ve got nothing. And that’s if you even make it to the keyboard. There are different types of writer’s block and also different ways of making it through the struggle.
Inspiration/Motivation Block
Mostly, this occurs when writers can’t even find the motivation or inspiration to even make it to the keyboard. I myself suffer from this all the time. I tell myself there’s a million other things I have to do or that I can get to it tomorrow, and then weeks go past and I haven’t even opened my laptop to even try to write. It's something that breeds a lot of guilt and disappointment in a writer, but it’s not always a bad thing. Sometimes we just need the break. And that’s okay.
Inability to Find the Words
It's just as common for writers to get up the courage and motivation to sit down at the computer, only to stare at a blank page for hours with no words coming to them. Sometimes, our minds just go blank. We know what we need to write, but our brains simply won’t provide us the words. The words may dribble through, one sentence every hour, or they may not come at all. This type of writer’s block is often the most frustrating, as we know what to do but our brains just won’t cooperate.
Struggle Through
One way for writers to overcome Writer’s Block is to just struggle through. Force yourself to sit at that laptop, to look at that blank page. Slog through, word by painful word until the fog lifts. This works for some writers. I, personally, am not one of them. Sitting there fighting for every letter on the page frustrates me and makes my block worse, but for others they’ll slog through until eventually their brain kicks back into gear, sort of like jump-starting a car.
Take a Break
If you’re stuck in the second type of writer’s block, where you just can’t find the words for what you need to write, it is sometimes a good idea to take a break and come back to the page with fresh eyes. Sometimes this type of writer’s block is the result of burn-out, meaning you need to rest, take a break and relax in order to get the words to flow. Just don’t be like me and take a break, only to fall into the first type of writer’s block where you struggle to find your way back to the screen.
Re-Inspire
Another good way to kick-start the creative juices is to re-inspire yourself. Whether this is writing a scene you’ve been really excited about, reading a new novel or trying out a few writing prompts, focusing your creative energies on something unrelated to your current work can get the juices flowing so that when you come back to your work, you’re ready to get those words on the page.
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