At some point in just about every writer’s career, he or she will face a bout of writer’s block. For a writer, there is nothing more frightening than sitting in front of a blank page with a little cursor blinking back at him for hours on end, almost mocking him for his inability to write even a single word. It is a serious test of one’s mettle, however, not to let this get the best of them.
Fortunately, there are a few tricks of the trade to help even the most blocked of writers to get back on track.
Write, No Matter What
You may be thinking, well, if I’m blocked then I can’t write! While it is true that you may be stuck at some point in your novel of short story, or maybe your characters are stuck in some kind of rut, you can still write. Write anything as long as it gets the pen moving or your fingers typing. It could be a grocery list, a letter to a loved one, or even a list of your favorite bands and the reason you like them. Write a review of your favorite novel or even of a novel that you hate. Write a recipe or a song. If you normally write fiction, try a nonfiction piece or vice versa. Just do something to get the gears in your mind turning.
Writing Prompts
If, after trying all of the above, you find that you still can’t write anything, you might want to think about using writing prompts to get the fires burning. Simply put, writing prompts are starters, a first sentence or an idea meant to get a writer’s imagination working. You can find quite a few different sites online that offer free writing prompts to get you started.
The beauty of writing prompts is that a thousand different writers could start with the same prompt, but you would end up with a thousand vastly different stories. Good writers can take even the most innocuous prompt and then twist and turn it to fit their style or genre of choice. This is a great, fun way for any writer who is in a slump to start working again.
Take a Break
If absolutely nothing is working for you then you should take a break. Do some household chores or, better yet, get outside and get some exercise. Take your dog for a walk if you have one and experience life outside. You will be surprised at all the story ideas lurking just outside and down the street or along your favorite hiking trail.
In the End
In the end, you should know that writer’s block is not a permanent affliction, and your imagination is not dying. Just follow the above exercises and relax. The words will come. They always do.
Jason M. Tucker - I am a fulltime freelance writer living in the southern California area. More than 300 of my short stories, audio dramas, and articles ...
