What do you call it when you want to write a book but just can’t seem to get started … or (worse) go back to writing, once you stop?
Yes, that’s right: It’s that dreaded phenomenon known to every writer as ‘writer’s block.’
In this article we will uncover some of the reasons why you are feeling blocked, frustrated and ready to throw your computer out the window.
We will look at 12 different tips, techniques and resources to help you bust through your writing slump and get your book written – with excitement, enthusiasm and joy not dread, overwhelm and stress.
1) Fear
Writer’s block is often just another name for ‘fear.’ Fear that you’re not good enough, that you aren’t smart enough or that no one will listen to you or – often the Big One – that they’ll judge your efforts unkindly.
Fear isn’t always bad. If fear stops you from running in front of a bus, it’s your friend. So, make friends with fear and find out why it’s paralyzing your writing mojo.
It’s important to put a name and face to your fear – and that is doubly important if you’re dealing with that most insidious phenomenon of all, writer’s block.
- Examine the nature of that fear.
How would you describe it, if you weren’t allowed to use the word ‘fear’?
Be honest. Really listen to your gut when you’re trying out words you hope will be more accurate to describe what emotion arises when you face writing.
In a local writer’s group recently, this was done as an exercise, and what came out, when people were not allowed to use the word ‘fear’ to describe the emotion behind their writer’s block – behind the thought of sitting down to write and produce – were answers varied and surprising.
- “Inadequacy”
- “Stress”
- “Boredom”
- “Pressure”
- “Resentment”
- “Overwhelm”
And several more, including “the urge to run” and “blank, screaming terror.”
The conclusion was that it’s no use trying to combat “stress” when the problem is really “boredom.” It’s no use working on overcoming “inadequacy” when what you’re really feeling is “resentment.” All you will do is waste a lot of time and beat yourself up for something that isn’t even valid for the situation.
It’s important to put the right name and face to your fear so you can take the right steps to defuse it. Get to the root emotion. Figure out where that paralysis started. That is the first essential step.
If you can’t get rid of the fear that is stopping you from writing on your own, then ask for help.
- Join a good writer’s group.
This could be as simple as joining a Facebook Group, or you could find a local writer’s group or better yet, a paid critique group.
- Hire a writing coach.
If you don’t have the time or inclination for group interaction, go the one-on-one route. If you are writing a book and have actually got as far as coming up with a rough outline, hire a developmental or substantive editor to help you test out and flesh out your book structure.
If you are in the middle of writing it and get stuck – that’s a when an actual writing coach can be your secret weapon. She can help propel you forward faster than any other trick, tactic, or strategy. If it’s essential that you get your book out, or get past a specific block, then the right writing coach will be your absolute best investment.
You don’t have to be stuck in fear. Whether you work your own way out of it or get help, it won’t always be this way.
2) What’s Your Why?
Why are you writing your book? Why is what you want to say important? And why is it essential that you, personally, write it?
- What’s the worse thing that could happen if you don’t write it?
- What’s the worse thing that could happen if you do?
Seriously, go ahead: Answer those questions. Ten to one, you’ll figure the answers out yourself, and that will dictate what you do next and how you handle the issue.
But in case you’re still feeling stuck, let’s look at actual answers given to the question, ‘Why do you need to write this?’.
- “I have the expertise to help with this problem and there are currently only a few books out there for people to read. I really feel compelled to write a book on the topic.”
- “Because it’s my life. It’s my breath. I love it. I love talking about it and I want to share it with others.”
- “Because in my heart I want to write a book. But I’m much more comfortable with podcasting.”
- “Because it will increase my status if I have a book published and available.”
- “Because I have to be the one to do it. It’s my message, so I should be writing my book… but I hate writing.”
If answers Number One and Two resonated most strongly with you, you’ve got an excellent reason for wanting to write. There is good chance you are letting fear and limiting beliefs get in your way. You will need to find a way to just let go and allow yourself to write without caring what others will think of you.
Ask yourself these questions
- Are the opinions of others more important than achieving my lifelong dream?
- Will I one day regret giving up on my dream of becoming a published author solely because I’m afraid of what others may think of me?
Like they say… feel the fear and do it anyway. If that intimidates you, then hiring a coach may be exactly what you need. Having a second set of eyes on your work and getting feedback may be the support you need to boost your confidence and finally get your book written.
If you found yourself agreeing with Number Three, there is an easy fix.
There is nothing wrong with recording what you want to say and then having it transcribed to written form. (Use a service like Rev.com, which has an excellent reputation and record, skilled transcriptionists, and reasonable prices. Another service to try is transcribeme.com)
If you answered Number Four, you need to find a better reason for writing if you genuinely want to feel motivated again. Yes, writing a book will increase your status and credibility but if that is your ONLY reason for writing a book then you may need to take a different path to authorship.
You can outsource your content creation to a ghostwriter with proven skills in writing your type of book, and there is no need for writer’s block angst at all.
If answer Number Five resonated with you, then you may have an additional problem instead of writer’s block: You just genuinely don’t like writing but you have a lot you want to share.
You can do one of three things:
1) Record your book and have it transcribed.
2) Create an outline of what you want included in your book and hire a ghost writer to write it for you.
3) Hire a writing coach to guide you every step of the way and hold you accountable.
All of these can work – just choose the one feels like the best fit for you.
Your reason for writing – and not writing, being stuck – may not be one of these five common problems. The real answer is finding your ‘why’ – why do you want to write? Why are you stuck?
Do that, and you’re on the right path to getting back on track … for all the right reasons.
3) Journal Your Way Out of Writer’s Block
Keeping a journal can be a writer’s best friend. Here’s why…
- Your own notes can give you wonderful ideas for a book.
- You may notice common or recurring problems or themes that could be interfering with your ability to write.
- Provide reminders of forgotten ideas or points, people to interview, references and resources
- Regular journaling can help you develop a style that is unique to you.
- Daily journaling is also a great way to organically build writing self-discipline.
- Journaling can help you defuse and vent stress clearing the path for your creativity to flow.
- Journaling can help you identify stressors and give you ideas on what you need to do about them.
- Keeping a Praise or Gratitude journal is almost certainly guaranteed to elevate your mood – and boost your self-confidence.
- Journaling has been proven to trigger priceless paradigm shifts and epiphanies – your next big idea may be on the page of your next journal entry.
When you consider that most of the great achievers swear by journaling, from Oprah Winfrey to President Harry S. Truman, what have you got to lose?
4) Morning Pages
Here’s an unconventional journaling technique by Julia Cameron called Morning Pages.
The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity
The purpose of this technique is to clear your mind of clutter and allow your creativity to come through.
Here’s how you do it:
Keep a notebook and pen next to your bed. The minute you wake up take your notebook and write for 3 full pages. Don’t think – just write. The sentences don’t even need to make sense. Just write whatever comes to mind – incomplete thoughts and all.
This needs to be handwritten and must be done the moment you wake up. Plan to spend about 20 to 30 minutes on this exercise.
Overtime, you will be amazed at how much clearer you are thinking and your creativity will just flow without effort.
Try it – you might be pleasantly surprised by the other areas of your life it enhances!
5) Write to Music
If you don’t usually write to music, try it. The variety of music available is wider than the ocean.
If you need energizing music, pick your favorite bands. If you need ambient background sounds, there’s a vast selection on YouTube.
The same goes for binaural beat music, stimulating different brainwaves. The link will take you to specific Binaural Beats meditations for writing on YouTube.
Try cinematic or some type of classical music – it can really tap into your creative side. You may find that once the music starts your words just start to flow.
YouTube has an impressive selection of this type of music. Just type in your keywords or follow the links in this post – each will take you to a list of inspirational music for creativity and writing.
6) Write in an Inspiring Place
Decide on your ideal conditions for inspiration and get out of the physical location where you usually write.
- It can be as simple as your front porch or terrace.
- Go to the local park.
- Find a spot to hang out on a hiking trail.
- Sit by the water.
- Go to the fanciest hotel in your town and sit near a fountain or a quiet place in the lobby – the ambience of luxury may spark some inspiration.
- Go to the local bookstore and pull up a chair – what can be more inspiring than being around books.
- Go to your local coffee shop – people watching can sometimes inspire new angles to write about.
- If you have a garden, pull up a lawn chair and start writing.
- If you prefer to be inside your house, create a nook that feels cozy and write there.
Whatever you need to do to find an inspiring place to write – one not generally associated with “work,” do it!
7) Read Instead of Write
Sometimes we develop writer’s block because we feel, deep down, that we are always saying the same thing: That our ideas are growing stale. If that resonates with you, step away from your computer and try reading instead.
You have the choice of reading books that are fun and frivolous (cozy mysteries or romance novels), books that deal directly with issues like writer’s block, or books that make you think.
If you want common sense mixed with doses of writing tips and inspiration, then you cannot do better than to read author K. M. Weiland’s aptly-titled Conquering Writer’s Block and Summoning Inspiration, one of those rare books on writing that inspires instead of depresses.
8) Change Your Writing Time
If you’re someone who religiously writes at the same time every day (or tries to do this), stop forcing yourself, if that no longer works for you. Instead, try writing at different times to see if there’s one time that works better than all others.
9) STOP and Allow Your Mind Time to Res
In today’s technological world with constant news cycles and instant access to electronics, it’s all too easy to wear ourselves out with too much news and other stimuli. Your body and your brain physically can only handle so much before they go into shut down mode.
If you are felling completely blocked and at a loss for words or ideas, then allow your brain time to relax. You will find that it will later spur your creativity.
10) Use Water
Have you heard stories of people who are inspired while in the shower and then are scrambling to write down their brilliant idea while they’re soaking wet?
That’s not an anomaly – it happens all of the time for a reason. Water is very therapeutic – it helps to impart a feeling a calm, comfort and relaxation. When you are in state of total relaxation you let your guard down and stop trying so hard to come up with answers, strategies or your next big idea.
Here is a simple strategy and tool to use the next time you are feeling bogged down and uninspired to write – take a shower or bath and use Aqua Notes.
That’s it.
Aqua Notes is a waterproof notepad pad and pencil set designed to be used in the shower so you never let your great ideas slip down the drain again. You will be surprised by how much you use this dandy little notepad!
11) Unplug from all Electronics
Let’s get back to basics and find the joys in everyday life. One way to welcome joy into your life is to unplug completely from your phone, computer, tablet, etc. so you’re more present in each moment.
Do you eat dinner every night with your family? Do you know what your kids are doing in school or in their activities? When was the last time you allowed yourself time to play board games or read bedtime stories? When was the last time you really connected with your spouse or partner? Even if you live alone, think about the last time you allowed yourself fun time away from the computer?
Think about the hobbies you used to enjoy that you gave up because “life” got too busy. Now is the time to add at least one of those things back into your daily routine. Join a gym. Join a walking or running club. Volunteer at your favorite charity. Read a book. Learn how to meditate. Learn how to play a new sport. Discover new hiking trails. Write in a journal.
Spend at least 30-60 minutes per day away from all electronics and reconnect with yourself and the people you love.
12) Create an Outline and Writing Plan
This one is obvious but many times skipped. Some writing coaches will even tell you that you don’t need an outline but I happen to disagree. Your outline is your book’s blueprint.
You wouldn’t build a house without a blueprint to follow, would you? Of course not. So, why would your book be any different?
When you create a detailed outline that lays out exactly what you need to write about writer’s block becomes less of an issue.
When you create a writing plan that breaks everything down into small chunks it makes the process much less intimidating, less stressful and doable.
If you want to learn how to do both of these the right way, download my Best Seller Brainstorm Quick Start Kit for FREE.
11) Research
Many writer’s either skip or gloss over research especially if they have a working knowledge of the topic. This is a mistake and one of the reasons why you may have writer’s block.
Each topic in your book needs to be researched before you start writing to fact check and investigate different theories or angles.
Conducting thorough research like this practically eliminates writer’s block – you will have so much information that you won’t know what to do with it all. Hence, very little chance of writer’s block.
Again, this is all discussed in my Best Seller Brainstorm Quick Start Kit.
But be careful, because you could get lost in the research and actually use this as excuse to NOT write. Check out the next tip…
12) Stop Being a Perfectionist
Perfectionism often plays a role in paralyzing people with writer’s block. Oh, you may not even think you have writer’s block: After all, you’re sitting at your computer, researching facts, gathering statistics, seeing what other experts have to say on your topic – you’re busy! You are working! You are doing the research that you were told to do!
But there comes a time when research and fact-gathering have to stop. You need to get down to business and write.
It’s important to put words on that page and deliver what you promised – to your clients, your followers, your subscribers. To people waiting for your message.
Busy Procrastination
You can be especially sure you’ve succumbed to this busy form of procrastination and perfectionism if you find yourself applying unusually finicky criteria to the tasks you are using to avoid writing.
For example:
- You find yourself researching the role of the pineal gland in sea turtles, after intending to investigate the effects of meditation on manifesting abundance.
- You can’t make manual notes because you can’t find your favorite pen or a yellow highlighter, so you spend the afternoon hunting for that highlighter.
- You rush off to buy colored stickers for all your file folders … for next year’s taxes.
When you find yourself engrossed in any of these sorts of activities, you know you’re well and truly within the borders of procrastination. It’s just another way of giving yourself self-induced writer’s block. You’re stopping yourself from writing. It doesn’t get any simpler than that. Go back to the section on Fear and check-in with yourself.
Writer’s block is something all writer’s struggle with so don’t beat yourself up over it. Go through this post and just pick one tip that resonates with you and try it. The good news is that writer’s block isn’t permanent – you just need to sometimes step away from your writing and give yourself time to breath.
Writing your book won’t always be easy but the end result is always worth it – keep pushing through and be sure to use the resources on my site to help you finally become the published author you have been dreaming about!
