How to Overcome Writer's Block (3/3)
6 MORE OF MY TOP TIPS TO OVERCOME WRITER'S BLOCK
However seasoned or experienced, most writers will suffer from writer's block at some point.
In this third instalment of a three-part series, you'll learn 6 more exercises to overcome writer's block! That's a total of 12 tips! Click here to see my previous 6 tips!
TIP 7: THE ALPHABET METHOD
A popular method to overcome writer's block is to write each letter of the alphabet down the side of a page.
Then, for every letter, provide a noun or adjective that starts with that letter — e.g. Australia, Blue, Cavernous, Dice, and so on.
Pick six of these at random, and let them inspire your next events. See where it takes you!
You could also consider using chance: pick one letter at random, and flick to a random page in a dictionary under that letter. See what the word and its definition inspire!
TIP 8: RECONSIDER YOUR WRITING SPACE
If the environment in which you're writing makes you feel stagnant and irritable, then your writing is bound to be affected. How can you write something authentically beautiful and visceral when you feel so distressed and uncomfortable?
Consider making your writing space peaceful but relevant. Whenever you write, return to the exact same space and setup: same chair, same coffee, same notepad/pens (or laptop positioning)… Having a repeated pattern like this will help you to condition yourself to get into the writing mood, and the more regularly you do it, the quicker that mood will come!
Note that I wrote find a 'relevant' space. Personally, spending days at my boyfriend's home in Potters Bar was a great inspiration for 'Second Home' in 101 Poems, and spending quiet, windy nights on the beach when visiting him in his current Brighton home is wonderful for The Fisherman's Daughter.
Most writers enjoy a quiet and isolated writing space, but consider a loud, busy environment too. For me, cafes, trains and public spaces are my favourites. Eccentric strangers are always wonderful inspirations, and background sounds help to drain out superfluous thoughts.
TIP 9: RESEARCH!
“One of the most beautiful and interesting things about the writing process is what it allows you to discover about the world around you.”
You want to write an outer-space sci-fi book because you love outer space so much?! That’s great! …But you soon realise you actually know nothing about how space works...
Writer's block can strike because you're not simply out of ideas, but you just can't fathom what the story ideas could possibly be, because you just haven't done any research.
As a writer, you'll know some weird facts — because you have to in order to make your work realistic, authentic and feasible. Suspension of disbelief can only take you — and, more importantly, your readers — so far.
And what better time to take a moment out of your writing to research than when writer's block strikes?!
Harvest everything you come across:
Facts.
Figures.
Dates.
Historical fashion trends.
Cultural traditions.
Meteorological phenomena.
Cuisines.
Architecture.
This tip can give you more confidence in writing if low self-esteem is the cause of your writer’s block. Even if you're not stuck, research always sparks inspiration — just like it did for my ideas on the weather and fishing methods in The Fisherman's Daughter.
TIP 10: LOOK OVER YOUR WRITING
Be wary of this tip: if you're experiencing writer's block due to self-esteem or confidence issues, you may find looking over your work whilst you're self-deprecating and pessimistic may not be the best idea...!
Otherwise, what better time than now to proofread?!
Re-reading your work can actually help you to rediscover features of your story you’ve already written but have forgotten about, and these can inspire what happens next.
Or maybe you'll find things that stand out as cringe-worthy or frustrating, and you can channel your creative energy into rewriting these, rather than stressing about coming up with completely new material.
TIP 11: KEEP A DREAM JOURNAL
Dreams are factories of interesting and poignant content. They deal with primal fears and, sometimes, genuinely relatable aspects of your life.
We forget 90% of our dreams within 10 minutes of waking up! So, every morning, write down your dreams in a journal immediately after you wake.
Sometimes, dream content isn’t particularly stimulating to read about; in this case, it’s the emotion the dream gives you that’s most important. How did it make you feel? Finding a way to encapsulate and depict that emotion and the mood of the dream is very useful.
As a writing exercise, you can even try describing the dreams exactly as they were but in the genre of your current story. This way, you’re focusing on the type of words you use, the moods and atmospheres you create, and the way you tell a story — inspiration for story content specifically can come later!
TIP 12: HAVE A BREAK FROM WRITING
It may seem counter-productive, but having a break is sometimes necessary to relieve the pressure you've been putting on yourself.
When you're so concerned with how your writing should come across, it can be easy to lose touch with how it actually is coming across, especially in the editing process after looking over your work so many times.
Taking a break (not too long!) can help you to take a step back and, with fresh eyes, reassess your work and its direction.
However, this is a break from the physical act of writing only; you should still remain open to inspiration.
“Allow time for a ‘Don't call us; we'll call you‘ approach from your ideas!”
Remember: it's better to take a little extra time with your writing for it to be polished, well crafted, and the best demonstration of your creative ability, than it is to rush and spoil it.
HAVE MORE TIPS OF YOUR OWN?
Use the comment section to share your own writer's block–busting techniques to help other writers who might be in the exact same position you were! Alternatively, start a conversation by tagging @25ThistleCorner on your social media platform of choice!
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