TIPS FOR NEW WRITERS
How to Get Past Writer's Block
Writer’s block is one of the most frustrating things on the planet. You LOVE to write, but the words simply won’t make an appearance. So, you feel stuck, helpless, useless. You may wonder what’s wrong with you and if you’ll ever get over it.
Most likely, this will pass.
The truth is that writer’s block happens to nearly every writer, even the beloved famous authors who make millions of dollars may occasionally struggle with a block.
Why Writer's Block Happens
So, what triggers writer's block? It can be the result of a variety of issues, but more often than not, writer's block is caused by severe stress, anxiety, or from being tired.
The good news is that there are things you can do to get through this difficult period. The first step to shaking off writer's block sounds simple, but requires effort.
STEP ONE: Try and Relax
Like I said, this sounds simple, but it’s critical.
You can put yourself in a relaxed state of mind by practicing deep breathing (breathe in, hold it for a few seconds, then exhale) until you start to feel the tension leave your body. Maybe even close your eyes while you’re practicing your deep breathing exercises.
Our physical state has an effect on our creativity. When we’re tense and overwhelmed with anxiety our creativity suffers. This is why it’s essential to relax.
So, practice deep breathing daily and if you’re tired but you want to write, it's important to respect your body and go take a nap.
The main takeaway here is to relax. Get yourself in a peaceful state of mind so that your creativity can come back. And this might mean that for a few days, or maybe even a few weeks, instead of writing every day, you focus on making sure you get 8 hours of sleep at night, take whatever medications your doctor has prescribed for you, and commit yourself to eating healthy meals that are rich in nutrients.
These seemingly simple but effective practices will help your body to de-stress and lead your mind into that relaxed state that allows you to produce the kind of work that you're proud of.
If you give those practices a shot and find you still can’t relax on your own it can be very helpful to speak to a professional licensed therapist about relaxation techniques that can help you get to a healthy state of mind.
STEP TWO: Incorporate reading into your daily activities
After you've gotten rid of some unnecessary anxiety, you can return to one of your favorite activities, reading books that interest you. Doing so will whet your creative appetite and inspire you to come up with stories of your own.
If you like to write mysteries, start on a new mystery series you’ve been wanting to check out. Or, if you’re not sure what to read, why not grab a memoir by a famous writer to find out what’s inspired them throughout their career as an author?
I'd also suggest making time to read, “On Writing” by Stephen King and, “Bird by Bird” by Anne Lamott.
Whatever you choose to read, the point is that it's a book that gives you a good feeling. Something that will make you happy, and possibly inspired to write something of your own.
STEP THREE: Write about how you feel as you sit down to write
Once you've spent time relaxing and reading your favorite books, why not take a moment to briefly jot down a paragraph or two about what you’re feeling, what you want to write, and what you’re afraid of.
This is a free-writing exercise that you don’t necessarily have to share with anyone. The goal is not to finish a project or to write something that's compelling. The only goal is to write what's in your heart. And if only three words are in your heart at the moment, then three words is all you need for this step.
Try not to worry about what it sounds like or if it’s “correct.” Instead, write whatever comes to mind. Personally, what I also like to do is write poetry. This helps me to get back into the habit of writing from my heart.
STEP FOUR: Try outlining the plot or story that you have in mind
What usually helps me next is to create a chapter by chapter outline of the story I want to write. This breaks my writing project down into bite-sized, doable steps that I feel more prepared to tackle.
And, outlining a story doesn't always have to involve writing. It can involve drawing or using another means to sort of "storyboard" the direction of the tale you want to tell.
STEP FIVE: Start writing your story little-by-little every day based on the outline you've created
The next step is to write a little bit every day. And I'd suggest avoiding the tendency to edit while writing. This could slow the process.
Instead, it may be a better idea to just keep writing, adding a little bit to your story every day. The editing will come later. And it doesn’t have to be perfect, it only needs to be.
In this step, all a writer has to do is focus on one sentence at a time, one paragraph at a time, one day at a time. After all, it's not like telling your story is a contest that requires you to outshine some opponent. All you have to do is write a little bit every day. And eventually, your novel will be completed.
Sure, the first draft won’t be perfect, and no one’s first draft is perfect. That’s what critique partners and editors are for.
So, stay relaxed and just write your story.
Writer’s block can be scary, but it’s something that we all deal with from time to time.
The keys to getting through it are to:
Most likely, this will pass.
The truth is that writer’s block happens to nearly every writer, even the beloved famous authors who make millions of dollars may occasionally struggle with a block.
Why Writer's Block Happens
So, what triggers writer's block? It can be the result of a variety of issues, but more often than not, writer's block is caused by severe stress, anxiety, or from being tired.
The good news is that there are things you can do to get through this difficult period. The first step to shaking off writer's block sounds simple, but requires effort.
STEP ONE: Try and Relax
Like I said, this sounds simple, but it’s critical.
You can put yourself in a relaxed state of mind by practicing deep breathing (breathe in, hold it for a few seconds, then exhale) until you start to feel the tension leave your body. Maybe even close your eyes while you’re practicing your deep breathing exercises.
Our physical state has an effect on our creativity. When we’re tense and overwhelmed with anxiety our creativity suffers. This is why it’s essential to relax.
So, practice deep breathing daily and if you’re tired but you want to write, it's important to respect your body and go take a nap.
The main takeaway here is to relax. Get yourself in a peaceful state of mind so that your creativity can come back. And this might mean that for a few days, or maybe even a few weeks, instead of writing every day, you focus on making sure you get 8 hours of sleep at night, take whatever medications your doctor has prescribed for you, and commit yourself to eating healthy meals that are rich in nutrients.
These seemingly simple but effective practices will help your body to de-stress and lead your mind into that relaxed state that allows you to produce the kind of work that you're proud of.
If you give those practices a shot and find you still can’t relax on your own it can be very helpful to speak to a professional licensed therapist about relaxation techniques that can help you get to a healthy state of mind.
STEP TWO: Incorporate reading into your daily activities
After you've gotten rid of some unnecessary anxiety, you can return to one of your favorite activities, reading books that interest you. Doing so will whet your creative appetite and inspire you to come up with stories of your own.
If you like to write mysteries, start on a new mystery series you’ve been wanting to check out. Or, if you’re not sure what to read, why not grab a memoir by a famous writer to find out what’s inspired them throughout their career as an author?
I'd also suggest making time to read, “On Writing” by Stephen King and, “Bird by Bird” by Anne Lamott.
Whatever you choose to read, the point is that it's a book that gives you a good feeling. Something that will make you happy, and possibly inspired to write something of your own.
STEP THREE: Write about how you feel as you sit down to write
Once you've spent time relaxing and reading your favorite books, why not take a moment to briefly jot down a paragraph or two about what you’re feeling, what you want to write, and what you’re afraid of.
This is a free-writing exercise that you don’t necessarily have to share with anyone. The goal is not to finish a project or to write something that's compelling. The only goal is to write what's in your heart. And if only three words are in your heart at the moment, then three words is all you need for this step.
Try not to worry about what it sounds like or if it’s “correct.” Instead, write whatever comes to mind. Personally, what I also like to do is write poetry. This helps me to get back into the habit of writing from my heart.
STEP FOUR: Try outlining the plot or story that you have in mind
What usually helps me next is to create a chapter by chapter outline of the story I want to write. This breaks my writing project down into bite-sized, doable steps that I feel more prepared to tackle.
And, outlining a story doesn't always have to involve writing. It can involve drawing or using another means to sort of "storyboard" the direction of the tale you want to tell.
STEP FIVE: Start writing your story little-by-little every day based on the outline you've created
The next step is to write a little bit every day. And I'd suggest avoiding the tendency to edit while writing. This could slow the process.
Instead, it may be a better idea to just keep writing, adding a little bit to your story every day. The editing will come later. And it doesn’t have to be perfect, it only needs to be.
In this step, all a writer has to do is focus on one sentence at a time, one paragraph at a time, one day at a time. After all, it's not like telling your story is a contest that requires you to outshine some opponent. All you have to do is write a little bit every day. And eventually, your novel will be completed.
Sure, the first draft won’t be perfect, and no one’s first draft is perfect. That’s what critique partners and editors are for.
So, stay relaxed and just write your story.
Writer’s block can be scary, but it’s something that we all deal with from time to time.
The keys to getting through it are to:
- RELAX AND TAKE CARE OF YOUR EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH.
- READ INSPIRING WORK BY OTHER WRITERS.
- PRACTICE FREE WRITING/WRITING FROM YOUR HEART.
- OUTLINE YOUR NOVEL OR MANUSCRIPT
- FOLLOW YOUR OUTLINE BY ADDING A LITTLE BIT TO YOUR MANUSCRIPT EVERY DAY.