How To Overcome Writer’s Block

On our Book writing & publishing platform VogGhostwriting, we have quite a few authors who start a book and never finish it. It is very important to remain patient and avoid discouragement. Being stuck in front of a blank page (or a blank screen!) is something that happens to many writers. This really frustrating situation is called ” writer’s block ” and it happens to ALL writers at least once in their life. The term was first described in 1947 by psychoanalyst Edmund Bergler. He identified writer’s block and divided it into two types: total or partial: «Its earliest manifestation may be the feeling of insecurity regarding one’s own creativity and the development of a certain deficiency in style. According to Bergler, lack of self-confidence is one of the main reasons for blocking, although there are many other reasons.

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What Causes Writer’s Block?

• PERFECTIONISM: Your expectations are probably too high. Books are not written, they are rewritten. It is true that before you start writing you should prepare well and outline your story and characters. Despite this, if you see that you are stuck in the process of creating the book, we advise you to start writing based on the outlines you have already made. I assure you that it will not be the definitive version but, at least, you will have a base on which to rewrite the book later.

 “There is nothing better than writing well, only rewriting well.”

― Robert Graves

 EXHAUSTION: You are simply exhausted. Your body has its limits -mental, physical, emotional…- and at some point, it will stop working at its full potential, leaving you unable to write anyway. So, it’s not that you’re blocked: you’re exhausted! Take a few days off. Relax and don’t think about writing. Once you’re in shape, you’ll likely find the desire to write again.

• DISTRACTIONS: If you feel less productive and more frustrated, it may be because you have too much on your mind. Few people can afford to be without distractions. Most writers have families, jobs, and responsibilities that occupy a large part of their brains. Turn off your smartphone for a while, take a break and take some time to get your affairs in order. You will feel relieved. Maybe it wasn’t writer’s block after all. You just had too much on your mind (and on your desk).
• FEAR: Many writers are anxious at the idea of ​​exposing their work to other people. They fear criticism or the fact that the story does not interest anyone. Fear is one of the main reasons some hobbyists never become writers.

So, the question now is, what can you do to overcome writer’s block? Here are some tips and tricks that can help you.

Tips To Overcome Writer’s Block

Many successful writers have shared their methods for overcoming these empty periods of inspiration. Let’s review two of the most important strategies that these authors have used:

1. KEEP WRITING: Writing takes practice. A lot of practice. It is like any other instrument or sport. Many authors argue that inspiration will only come if you push yourself to keep writing every day. For the American writer Maya Angelou, the trick was not to think too much. Write nonsense if you have to. But keep writing, no matter what. It may not even matter if you are satisfied with the result or not. Practice makes a master. In fact, in Naomi Epel ‘s book ‘Writers Dreaming: 26 Writers Talk About Their Dreams and the Creative Process, Maya Angelou explained the following: “I guess sometimes I have a block, but I don’t like to call it that. That seems to give it more power than I want it to have. What I try to do is write. I can write for two weeks “three sad tigers eat wheat” you know. And it could be the most boring and horrible thing. But I do it. When I write, I write whatever. And then it’s as if the muse is convinced that I’m serious and says, “Okay. In agreement. I’m going””.
2. SCHEDULE YOUR WRITING: This strategy is similar to the previous one and is based on the fact that you need to write every day. For that, Anthony Trollope, one of the most successful novelists of the Victorian era, devised a daily writing routine. He scheduled his writing for a certain period of time per day. He also set a daily word count goal and made sure to hit it every day. As he wrote he shut out any possible distractions and forced himself to focus only on his words. Get organized and set schedules!

Secondary Tips to Avoid Writer’s Block

1. ESTABLISH WRITING RITUALS: Many writers emphasize the importance of writing rituals, such as athletes’ pregame rituals. Writers often go through a sequence of actions before they start writing. Even without realizing it. American writer Toni Morrisson stated in an interview: “I recently spoke with a writer who was describing something she did every time she moved to her desk. I don’t remember exactly what her gesture was – there’s something on her desk that she touches before hitting the computer keyboard – but we started talking about little rituals that she does before she starts writing. At first, I thought I didn’t have a ritual, but then I remembered that I always get up and make a cup of coffee while it’s still dark – it must be dark – and then I drink the coffee and watch the light. And she said, “Well, that’s a ritual.” Rituals can be as simple as making yourself a cup of tea, playing a particular song, or organizing your desk.
2. CLEAR YOUR MIND: If none of the above strategies work, do the opposite and stop writing. Put it all aside for a few days and clear your mind. British writer Hilary Mantel offers this advice: “If you get stuck, walk away from your desk. Walk, bathe, sleep, bake a cake, draw, listen to music, meditate, exercise; whatever you do, don’t just stand there frowning at the problem. But don’t make phone calls or go to a party; if you do, other people’s words will enter where your missing words should be. Make room for these words. Be patient”. And what to do? This is what you could do:

Things To Do to Get Over Writer’s Block

• Listen to music (or even play a musical instrument)
• Play sports to get your blood flowing
• Read a book
• Meditate, do yoga
• Take a walk, get lost in some unknown place.
• Cycling with no destination in mind
• Change of environment, (take a trip to the sea/forest/mountains)
• Try a recipe you’ve wanted to cook for a long time
• Play (legos, puzzles, video games…)

And to start typing, do the following:

• Do some research about your book (about the setting or historical context of your novel).
• Read novels similar to what you want to write
• Generate ideas (brainstorming (is one of the best tips in artistic creation))
• play instrumental music
• Read some inspirational quotes
• Try to write horizontally! Many famous authors wrote in bed, Mark Twain, George Orwell, Truman Capote… So why not give it a try?
• Get yourself a standing desk and try writing standing up like Ernest Hemingway and Albert Camus did.
• Be comfortable. You must feel comfortable, invest in a good chair to save your back.

There are infinite possibilities.

Have you overcome writer’s block and your manuscript is ready? Publish it for free through our platform: VoxGhostwriting! In a few simple steps, you can create your book and sell it online.