Overcoming Writer’s Block: 6 Tips from Writers and Editors

Writer’s block is the bane of any writer’s existence. If you’re a wordsmith, you’ve probably experienced it—as well as the little troupe of lies and worries that stroll in when the muse exits stage left. It happens to the best of writers.

Often, it comes at the worst of times: when deadlines are looming and the blank page, like some naughty three-headed puppy, just won’t jump through its usual hoops.

Some writers handle it better than others. Their secret? Trial and error. We’ve gathered advice from experienced writers and editors on how they’ve learned to overcome writer’s block while kicking the accompanying imps of procrastination, imposter syndrome, and self-doubt out of the door.

Table of Contents

    1. Free Your Mind and the Rest Will Follow

    When it comes to writer’s block, more often than not, you’re your own worst enemy. Self-editing and perfectionism are arguably two of the leading causes of creative blockage and procrastination for writers.

    It’s understandable. When you read as a writer, you usually see prose that’s been polished by an editor. Your logical mind grasps this, but there’s a side of you—the little creature on your shoulder that says you’ll never be good enough—that subconsciously feeds you a lie: If your work doesn’t come out clean in one fail swoop, it’s not worth moving forward.

    Every word you write starts to sound like you’ve never made even the simplest of utterances. You hyper-focus, you overthink, and you build a cage around your mind that impedes you from doing what you need to, which is write, write, and write some more.

    Freewriting Your Way Out

    Give yourself permission to be the worst. It may sound counterproductive but don’t underestimate this tip for dealing with writer’s block. Open your word processor or grab your notebook, set a timer, and write without restraint.

    Don’t worry about grammatical rules, spelling, or even making sense. For the allotted time (if you choose to set yourself a time), just write whatever comes to mind.

    Shaking things up and forcing your writing muscles to get moving—even if it’s in a random direction—often works wonders for conquering writer’s block.

    2. Immerse Yourself in the Topic or Character

    Seeing the method behind the madness can help clear the way forward. This is why writers recommend reading often and regularly. It equips you with the cogs and gears that you need to keep the machine running well.

    Sometimes, though, life intrudes—the creative machine sputters and grinds to a halt. Beginner writers tend to get overwhelmed in situations like this. How do you start it up again? How do you return it to its former, smooth-running self?

    Well, you roll up your sleeves, take out the manual, and prepare to get comfortable with your project.

    Paving Over Writer’s Block

    One of the best writer’s block tips is to understand what you’re working with and what you’re working towards. Writer’s block can come from feelings of uncertainty, regardless of the genre: academic projects, corporate editing, fiction writing, non-fiction projects. So, how do you get the better of it? You get invested.

    For historical fiction writers, this might involve touring locations or watching documentaries on the time period. For contemporary fiction—perhaps your character is a private investigator—this might involve listening to true crime podcasts and sipping on burnt coffee at 2 AM.

    The more immersed and clued up you are on the world and characters that you’re writing about, the easier it’ll be for you to convey that to a reader on paper.

    The path ahead will start falling into place without as much effort as before. You can move forward with your project with more assurance and less creative blockage.

    3. Have a Buddy System in Place

    Having someone keep you accountable forces you to write, even when you don’t feel like you can. Chances are that the bad writing you’re afraid isn’t readable is just your mind playing tricks on you. After all, your inner critic is often the unkindest.

    That’s where having a writing partner comes in handy.

    They come in all shapes and sizes, from friends to family. You’d be surprised, actually, how simply talking about writer’s block takes away some of the dread. With an impartial party available to bounce your fears, ideas, and experiences off of, you can beat writer’s block much faster than you would going at it alone.

    TIP: The buddy system works even better when combined with a consistent writing schedule. Unsure how to start one? Read tip 1 again. Freewrite with a timer at an allowed time each day. It takes 21 days to build a habit, but you’ll start seeing improvements in no time.

    What Should You Look for in a Writing Buddy?

      • Honesty – We’ve said it before, we’ll say it again. A buddy who doesn’t give honest feedback can’t help you grow. It’s as simple as that. (Keep in mind, though, that being honest and being rude are two separate things.)
    •  
      • Collaboration – Some of the best writing buddies are other writers. They know the struggles of an empty page. Best case scenario? You help each other improve. Iron sharpens iron, after all.

    4. When in Doubt, Nap

    Studies have linked sleep and rest with creative processes. That’s why, when you’re looking for ways on how to beat writer’s block, getting a little shut-eye with some writing tools nearby might just be the solution.

    The transitional period between wakefulness and sleep, called hypnagogia, seems to be especially valuable in the search for inspiration. Micro-naps (around 15 minutes) in particular have become more popular in recent decades.

    Tips for Napping Away Writer’s Block

    It’s not always easy to get comfortable enough for a quick nap, though. Life can be stressful, and when it comes to sleep, sheer force of will might have the opposite effect. Many writers do, in fact, struggle with insomnia. Here are a few tips that might help:

      • If you can’t clear your mind, think repetitive thoughts. This may sound strange, but it’s akin to counting sheep. (If the sheep don’t work, something less exciting—possibly a rat trying to get out of a bathtub—might be better.)
    •  
      • If you have a specific problem that you’re hoping sleep might solve, keep it at the back of your mind. Again, hyper-focus might be the enemy. Don’t overthink.
    •  
      • For your nap, try breaking your normal sleep patterns. Remove your pillow and lie the wrong way around on the bed. If you can find a little spot in the sun, even better.

    5. Know When to Call It a Day

    Sometimes, taking a step back from the project at hand is all you need to conquer writer’s block and replenish your creative juices. This is especially relevant when writers (and editors) have the stress of deadlines looming over them. They sit, toil, and press out every drop of word juice they can. They need to make their quota, need to double-check one more fact, and need to edit one more paragraph.

    But what happens when that lemon’s dry? When they’ve been squeezing for so long that they can’t tell juice from pulp and rind? There’s no shame in taking a breather and coming back later with a fresh pair of eyes.

    Writer’s Block or Writer’s Recess

    Depending on the project, you might need to step away from it for a day or two … or three. Work on something else—better yet, open a blank page and finish something shorter.

    By distracting yourself with another project, you’ll no doubt be returning to the first project with a completely new outlook.

    More often than not, the elusive solution you were searching for in the beginning is staring you right in the face.

    6. Let Them Eat Chocolate

    Studies have shown that chocolate consumption is linked to better cognitive functions. It also tastes good, which makes it a perfect treat for when you reach your writing goals each day.

    The Gold at the End

    Habits involve the steps of initiation, process, and reward. When it comes to procrastination and writer’s block, setting up a reward system for reaching your goals is a nifty way of ‘hacking’ your behaviour. Enough repetitions of “sit down, write 1,000 words, eat a chocolate block” and it’ll be easier for your body to pull the necessary strings when called to action.

    TIP: When it comes to using chocolate as a substance to combat writer’s block, it’s important to remember that aiming for a higher level of cocoa is the way to go.

    Flash Tips to Overcome Writer’s Block

      • Read before you write, especially writers you admire or whose styles/content resonate with your own. It’ll help get the creative juices flowing.
      • Build a writing routine and stay consistent with it. Set aside time to reach your daily goals.
      • Expect bad days, but don’t let them ruin the good ones. Writer’s block loves self-pity.
      • Look for online writing communities for moral support and encouragement. There are many co-writing spaces hosted over Zoom to help keep you accountable.
      • Inspiration is everywhere if you’re willing to look: your favourite song, movie, or the shape of a cloud on a sunny day.
      • Don’t be afraid to put the project to the side and start something new that’s more prominent in your mind or life at the time. It’s not quitting—it’s prioritising. Keep moving.
      • Change your environment. The writing life can sometimes get lonely—try a coffee shop or a library for a change of scene. It’ll also help you procrastinate less.

    Moving Beyond Writer’s Block

    The important thing to remember? Writer’s block isn’t permanent. Even if it sometimes feels hopeless, there are proven strategies to overcome writer’s block.

    Like so much in writing, you just need to find the method that works for you. Don’t be afraid to experiment with methods, combine them, or disregard them altogether. Just remember to keep attempting to grow and move forward.

    Blue Leaf Team

    The Blue Leaf Editing team has over 10 years of combined editing, publishing, and book industry experience. We’re passionate about content and storytelling, and sharing our knowledge with others.