Blocking Writer's Block: 12 Ways to Beat It

If you're anything like me, when you're up against a deadline of something that has to be written and you don't have your computer handy, this is what your setup looks like. You have a writing utensil (my implement of choice is always a pen; more on that later), a bunch of crumpled up papers, and a blank page sitting there in front of you. Staring you in the face. Taunting you.

If you do have your computer with you when you have a deadline (again, if you're anything like me), it probably has the little flashing cursor of doom, sitting on a very empty page. And don't you dare lie to me and say you've never procrastinated until the night before it's due and then, knowing you need to get it done, you just can't.

Friend, meet the far-too-known, but never liked... Writer's Block. Yes, I capitalized its name because it's that real of a struggle, so it has become a proper noun in my world. Judge me.

Why Does Writer's Block Exist?

Why does anything exist? Because the universe says so.

Okay, sorry about that little bit of snark. I'm feeling sassy today. No, but the actual reason it exists is because your brain likes to play tricks on you. I'm not going to tell you I have my degree in psychology, because I definitely don't, but it's a pretty well-known fact that if someone tells you that you have to do something, your motivation instantly plummets. It's in our nature. Humans are rebellious, confusing little things, and their brains are the driving force behind that. Don't feel bad about it; if we never rebelled against anything, we would still be stuck in the Stone Age with no technology and a very messed up social system— not that I'm saying our social system is perfect today, but that's another topic for another blog altogether.

But Why Now?

There could be any number of reasons for that. Sometimes, it's not deadline-induced at all. Sometimes, it is. But here are the most common reasons you could be dealing with Writer's Block right here, right now.

1. You're distracted. Having so much access to technology can be a good thing and a terrible thing. On one hand, you're not wasting as much paper when you mess up. You can just backspace and it's like it never happened. It streamlines things. On the other hand, you'll inevitably end up scrolling through Facebook or spending two hours watching fail videos on YouTube and end up searching things like, "How to train my cat to burp on command." (No? Just me? Ah, well, I guess I'm weird.)

2. You have no plan. Do not underestimate the power of an outline. On the other hand, maybe you have too specific of a plan and didn't allow yourself space to let your writing flow organically. Either way, you're stuck.

3. You just don't want to do it. Even if you think you want to (with creative writing you're doing on your own time, for example), you might not actually have the inspiration or special idea to really want to write. And that goes for any writing, academic or creative.

4. You expect too much of yourself. Don't tell yourself that everything has to be perfect on the first go. Just get something on the page. You can always edit it later and fix up the nonsense that spills out.

So, How Do I Beat It?

• Write an outline. Sometimes, when you feel completely stuck, it could be that you don't have a clear plan in mind. Writing an outline will give you a path and help you get your ideas out so you can organize them into your writing. However, be careful that you don't get too specific, or as I said before, you won't be able to let your writing flow naturally. A quick list of bullet points should do the trick.

• Change your perspective. Pretend you're the professor who will be reading your research paper, or the friend you want to show the poem to, or the person you're hoping will buy your book. What would they expect next? What would surprise them? Take that and run with it.

• Go for a walk. Or a run. Or have a dance party. Just get your body moving. Exercise does lots of good things for your body, but also for your brain. Furthermore, taking a brief break will help you return to writing with more energy and less dread in the pit of your stomach.

• Don't expect perfection. Like I said before— and will say a million times over— the first draft isn't supposed to be perfect. Get it all out, then fix it later. Good writing is rewriting. (Check out the related post I've tagged.)

• Remind yourself exactly why it needs to be done. If the only reason is that looming deadline, that's okay. But try to think of reasons beyond that deadline. Maybe writing that paper will help you discover something new. Finishing a poem will help you stop bottling up your emotions. Find a reason to write, and it gets easier.

• Have someone else read it. Instead of just pretending you're someone else, actually let someone else read it. A fresh set of eyes on something that's got you stuck can and will be a huuuuuuuge help.

• Try doing stream of consciousness writing. Just write. Or type. Literally anything that comes into your mind. It doesn't even have to be related to what you're writing about. You could be working on a paper about macroeconomics and free write about how you want lasagna, and it will help. Getting the juices flowing will remove the block in your brain and help you get back into it.

• Reread your old writing. I'm talking super old writing. Like, middle school writing. Not only will it give you more words to play with in your mind, but it will also remind you of how far you've come and probably give you a little chuckle to remember just how smitten you were with your middle school crush.

• Switch to a different method of writing. If you're on Microsoft Word, try Google Docs. Or go to handwriting for a little bit. If you're using a pencil, try a pen or even a crayon (yes, really). I always suggest a pen because I'm a firm believer that you should never erase your work. It's a reminder of things you've already written so you don't repeat the same mistakes, and there's just something that feels much more fancy and writer-like about using a super cool fountain pen. Any little bit helps, after all. I'm not exactly sure why this works so well, but don't question me. It does. A change is as good as a rest, after all.

• Get inspired. Listen to music— something instrumental, without lyrics to distract you too much. Read something written by someone else. Fresh ideas, different sentence structures, a completely new vernacular, activating different parts of your brain... It all revives you.

• Remove any and all distractions. Put your phone on "Do Not Disturb" mode. Or better yet, turn it off. If you don't absolutely need the internet (to access your sources, for example), disable your WiFi. Lock your door so your siblings can't come in and bug you every five seconds. Do not, under any circumstances, allow yourself to get side-tracked with social media.

• Plan a reward for yourself. Write on a sticky note how you'll reward yourself. After you've written, say, 1,000 words, you'll get five minutes to scroll through Instagram— but not until you've got all 1,000 words written! When you get through that difficult passage, you get a gummy bear (which is my reward of choice). When you finish what you need to finish, you get to watch your favorite movie. And stick to the reward you plan for yourself. Trust me, it's more motivating than you might realize.

Trust me, I've used every single one of these tactics more than once. They're tried and true methods that work. Don't make excuses about why you don't really need to write. Don't waste your time watching TV and YouTube videos. You can do it. You can block Writer's Block. I believe in you.

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