Writer’s block. We hate it. It comes out of nowhere, and hits us like a freight train. It can stymie even the most seasoned fiction author. It’s that frustrating moment when the words won’t come, you begin to hate your beloved characters, and the plot you once cherished feels like a tangled mess. Whether you’re a debut novelist or have multiple books under your belt, you’ve likely encountered it. And if not, chances are you will.
What is Writer’s Block?
Writer’s block can be described as a creative slowdown or the inability to produce new written work. That’s the nice way of saying it. Another definition is when the words just don’t come, and the ones that do come aren’t any good. Writer’s block can last for hours, days, months, or even years and it doesn’t always stem from laziness or lack of discipline. In fact, many prolific authors have spoken candidly about their own struggles with it.
I’ve often seen writer’s block among my students, whether they’re writing essays or fiction. Many of them are perfectionists, who insist that every word they write must be perfect the moment they type or write them. And while that sounds nuts when you say it, that’s how they feel. As a result, they wrestle over every word and get stuck. Other writers have deep-seated fears of failure, burnout, external stress, or a lack of direction in their story. If you’re experiencing writer’s block see if you can identify the cause: that will give you a better chance of addressing it.
Lower the Stakes
One way to fight writer’s block is to “lower the stakes.” When writers put too much pressure on themselves to write perfect pieces, they may get stuck. Lowering the stakes means writing just to get some words out there, knowing you may be producing a poor first draft. In 2018, I kept this in mind during my short story challenge. I committed to write twenty-five short stories during the months of November and December, 2018. I ended up with fifty, knowing full well that many of them would be sub-par. But I went into the challenge to improve my ability to write short fiction. Spoiler alert: many of them are sub-par, but five have been published. One even earned me a fiction award.
You can practice lowering the stakes by freewriting for ten minutes without editing or judging your output. This practice can unlock ideas that were buried beneath self-doubt.
Change Your Writing Routine
Sometimes a rut in your writing schedule can lead to a rut in your creativity. If you always write in the morning, try an evening session. If you usually work in silence, experiment with ambient noise or instrumental music. A change in environment—such as writing at a library or a café—can also stimulate your mind. I’ve taken to writing in coffee shops and found that an effective way to get the words coming.
Reconnect with Your Story
When you hit a wall in your narrative, something isn’t working. That occurred to me last fall when I was writing the fourth in the Flight of the Raven series. If you hit a wall like this, take a step back and ask yourself:
- Do I know what my character wants?
- Is the conflict strong enough?
- Am I bored with the direction the story is taking?
My answer to these questions showed me that I needed to spend more time developing my outline and seeing it through before I wrote another word. The novel involves two major conflicts that eventually tie together, and I was trying to write the book in a straight line, by going back and forth between the conflicts. My new approach is to write each conflict in its entirety, then decide how they can intersect. While this may not be a perfect solution, I hope it will allow me to develop some of the characters and scenes more smoothly.
Use Prompts and Exercises
Writing prompts can also provide the creative spark you need. Try writing a scene with:
- A character who hears a sound they can’t identify.
- An object that has sentimental value but is lost.
- Two characters who want the same thing for different reasons.
Also, exercises like “what if” scenarios or character interviews can deepen your understanding of your story and help reignite your interest.
Talk It Out
Sometimes speaking your ideas out loud can provide breakthroughs. Share your struggle with a writing group, a trusted friend, or even talk to yourself (it’s a writer thing!) Explaining your plot problems or character dilemmas can help you see them more clearly. And don’t be too hasty to discount others’ comments: you’re talking it out with them to get help, not build up your defenses.
Change Genres
Another way to get the words flowing is to try writing outside of your normal genre or genres. If you write romance, try science fiction or horror. Since the stakes are often lower, see how a character you have in mind for your current work might function in a very different story. You may learn something about your characters that you can take back to your current project.
Take a Break—But Be Strategic
It’s okay to walk away from the page. A short break can help reset your brain, especially if the block is tied to stress or fatigue. But be intentional about your return—set a deadline or plan a gentle reentry by journaling or outlining.
Final Thoughts
Writer’s block isn’t a sign that you’re not a real writer. It’s part of the process. The key is not to let it define you or derail your creative journey. Neil Gaiman once said, “The best advice I can give on writing is: Keep writing. Even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard.”
‘Nuff said.
