1. Take a break and do something completely unrelated to writing, such as going for a walk or exercising
Sometimes being hyper-focused on writing can be counterproductive, if you find yourself going through the same monotonous thought progression when trying to write something it may be time to take a break. Taking time away will allow you to return to your WIP with a clear mind, so why not go outside and walk? Exercise can be perfect for resetting your creative flow and beating writer’s block.
2. Change your writing environment
3. Try writing exercises
Free writing is the act of spilling out any thoughts related to your WIP you can think of without the need to worry about grammar or even spelling. By writing without rules, you will likely find valuable ideas and concepts that spring to mind when you aren’t as concerned with tone or grammar.
Writing prompts can be a great way to get the ball rolling with a project. There are numerous places you can find good prompts to get started, so why not start with Reedsy’s near-endless list of great writing prompts? (https://blog.reedsy.com/creative-writing-prompts/)
4. Brainstorm with a writing partner or group
Sometimes a fresh set of eyes on a project are exactly what is needed to spark imagination or creativity. Having a community of writers around you is always a wise idea. There are various groups on social media and forums where authors will share their writing-related queries. Having a group of like-minded individuals can help you get the fresh perspective you have been looking for. Fortunately, Reedsy have you covered with a list of the 15 best online communities for writers. They cite Facebook groups and Reddit as two great tools to find a helpful community of peers.
5. Read or watch something in a similar genre or style to get inspiration
Now, we aren’t saying you should go out and write Barry Potter; the next best-selling book franchise, but seeing your particular genre done right can help determine what makes your genre successful. Alternatively, maybe you read or watch something from your genre that misses the mark. Use this to determine where it went wrong. With this information, you will have plenty of inspiration for where your writing can be improved.
6. Set specific goals or a writing schedule to keep yourself accountable
Setting a structured schedule in which you allocate time to sit down and write can be a tool to prevent any procrastination. Being in a routine can help you churn out writing as it becomes a habit to set time aside each day to focus on your WIP. When making your schedule make sure you take into account how you work best. Not a morning person? Schedule your writing in the evenings to achieve your best results when trying to beat writer’s block.
7. Keep a journal of ideas and inspiration for future reference.
Hopefully, these methods can give you insight when trying to beat writer’s block, it is important to remember that writer’s block is an inevitable part of your writing journey that we all have to deal with.
