Writing is meant as a way to express yourself, to let your words fall onto the page and relieve your stress from reality into a reality of your own making. The problem with creating your own reality? You actually have to CREATE something with it. No matter how many ideas you think you have in your brain, there comes a point for all writers when you realize the ideas won’t materialize on the page unless you make them do so. Here at Bookstr, we deal with it quite a lot. My fellow writers were kind enough to lend their minds (and pens!) to address this very problem. Here are our top tips and tricks to help you overcome your own writer’s block.
Lists, Lists, and More Lists!
I have a numbered list of ideas, tropes, ”this or that” questions, and a 20-sided die. I roll to see where the story takes me.
Daleney Teske, Outreach and Marketing Teams
I have a running list of random images, character ideas, lyrics, and bits of dialogue that I add to when they come to me. I find it’s a lot easier to build momentum on a piece of writing when you have something concrete you can build a scene around rather than just a vague idea.
Phoebe Pineda, Editorial Team
Walk It Out
Going on walks is great for getting into the mental headspace to come up with ideas. In order to visualize what I intend to accomplish in a narrative, having a physical activity, such as exercise or simply being outside, helps me focus. In a more unhinged direction, I overcome writer’s block by telling myself I’m not allowed to write something down until I have the entire idea thought out, beginning to end. Forcing myself to abide by this made-up rule of my own making is like tricking myself to come up with ideas.
Sammy Loree, Editorial Team
When writer’s block hits, I don’t force the words — they never come out right that way. Instead, I step away from the screen and do something that quiets my mind: take a walk, listen to music. Other times, I talk through ideas out loud or jot down random scenes with no structure at all. Eventually, inspiration hits, and the words come back.
Rebecca Kennedy, Social Media Team
Locking Out to Lock In
So, I have a very specific method that has a 100% success rate. I call it the Kiki’s Delivery Service method (IYKYK) and it goes like this. Ready? I don’t allow myself to write. Keep in mind that “allow” does a lot of heavy lifting here. I pick a set timeframe where I am essentially grounded from writing and don’t have a choice but to stick to it.
This creates an environment where it doesn’t matter that I can’t write mentally, now I can’t write literally, even if I wanted to. It usually only takes a day or two of this restriction before I want to write in the worst possible way. I have ideas constantly, and all I want to do is put them on paper. On the rare chance that it does take longer, I consider that proof that I was burnt out and needed the strict break to recover. No matter how long it takes, I always reach that frenzied need to write eventually.
Annastasia Hinz, Editorial, Social Media, and Marketing Teams
Creating a Dialogue (Even with Yourself!)
They say that your best ideas always come to you in the shower, and in my case, that’s true! If I’m stuck on a story or trying to plot out a character arc or drum up some dialogue, I’ll usually run through it during my shower, haircare, and skincare routines. Sure, it occasionally means I’m talking to myself — something that had to be explained to my spouse early in our relationship — but there’s something about the isolation and lack of distractions that allows me to work through whatever block I’m having at that time.
Cara Broel, Editorial & Outreach Teams
Two things that help me overcome writer’s block are walking away from the project and talking to my SO. Even when he has nothing to contribute, being able to brainstorm out loud helps. Sometimes he offers great insight or lets me know when things aren’t making sense. When I can’t get ideas going, driving can also do the trick. It gives me time to think away from the computer, and I often find inspiration on the road.
Michelle Krieger, Video & Social Teams
Get On the Apps
I like to create playlists on Spotify that have essentially turned into the soundtracks of my stories. I picture my stories being made into movies and think about which songs would fit each scene or songs that talk about the same emotions my characters are going through. When I’m having a hard time thinking about what should happen next, I like to listen to my playlist in the shower and think about the movie from the beginning to wherever I’m stuck and let the music help guide me to an answer.
Madelyn Babcock, Editorial and Outreach Teams
I absolutely adore Pinterest for everything, but especially writing. There are so many different types of writing prompts that are amazing for getting out of writer’s block and helping you out while writing your content.
Kristi Eskew, Executive Editor
None of these methods are foolproof by any means, but the next time you are struggling to find the right words, feel free to knock them loose with one of our options. Thank you to everyone who took the time away from their articles to contribute to mine, you beautiful minds you! And to my fellow writers reading this for inspiration, I hope the words are always flowing and your work in progress becomes a Draft II.
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Need a read to get your creativity flowing? Check out our Bookshop: Bookstr Team Recommendations
