Fix Writer's Block: Get it Out of Your Head and onto Paper

Your guide to figure out what is causing and how to fix Writer's Block.

Fix Writer's Block: Get it Out of Your Head and onto Paper

Well, probably not paper. I won’t argue that different ideas arise depending on what you're using. Use a notebook, phone, laptop, tablet, or whatever gets your creative juices flowing and helps your ideas emerge.

As fiction writers, we throw around the phrase writer’s block, but where does it stem from?

Let’s start here: What is writer’s block? I read dozens of definitions, and the consensus is that writer’s block is a non-medical condition faced by writers when they can’t think of what to write next.

That’s great! Writer’s Block won’t kill anything but your career in writing.

Writer’s block comes from many things. It’s not anything that will resolve itself. Because… when did ignoring a problem make it go away?

*See: Never.

How can we fix writer's block? We have the sage advice of “write through it.” And the response, “What the hell am I writing if the definition of Writer’s block is literally not being able to think of anything to write?”

Life presents stupid shit like this, am I write? Simply put, the advice is to “get over it.” No compassion. 

Let’s overcome Writer's Block… Together.

I love writing. I’m actually OBSESSED. It’s a mess, but sometimes, I struggle to write as well, so I wanted to review some things that help me when I’m fighting for my life, trying to finish my work. The question that you need to ask yourself is “Why can’t I write?”

Whether it’s a hobby or a serious career venture, respect the craft. Running around 12 hours a day, dealing with family, spouses, work, politics, etc, leaves little time for writing. We are human, not machines. Writing is not a chore or something to pass the time. It is writing. Write is life. Carve out a time and place in your schedule where you can write without interruption.

Struggling mentally?

*If you believe you need a therapist, see one.

How are you feeling, sweetheart?  Is your heart broken because your child told you that your breath stinks? Did your spouse forget to do their part again?  Are you frustrated, sad, angry, and your emotions are the only thing boiling to the surface?

Get it OUT!

It relieves stress to be completely honest about how you feel about things without the repercussions of dealing with someone else’s emotions. Nothing beats journaling when you’re overwhelmed. If you can’t sort out your feelings, you could have issues writing others' emotions or have some weird, preconceived notions of how people should act when addressing situations. Let your emotions flow freely and analyze your feelings.

Fixing the story

Now that your personal issues are out of the way. We’ll get to what you came here for, the story. It could be a short story, novel, novella, novelette, flash fiction, or micro fiction. The bottom line is that you may not know where to begin, which can block your progress.

Plot

Something is wrong with the story. First drafts aren’t usually the crème de la crème, but the puzzle pieces aren’t fitting, and you can’t figure out the next step.

Do you have an outline? They are by no means perfect, but they guide you. Your outline may need work. Pantsing is popular, but if you choose this method, you will have to go back and correct things more than if you had started with an outline. The outline also aids in pacing, plot points, and character development.

The Character

Create a character profile. The future is bleak when your character’s experience begins and ends on the page. Get to know the character. What was their upbringing? What is a major trauma? What is their favorite food and why? These are things that don’t need to go into the book or story, but our past experiences influence who we are, and that’s no different than the characters that we create.

Missing knowledge

Research is essential. If you’re writing about a real city, get to the heritage of it. If someone lives a life you don’t, or has a career you’re not familiar with, research. It not only assists with writer’s block but also ensures your story doesn’t mislead readers with incorrect information.

The simple answer to writer’s block is to write through it. Create a schedule to work and acknowledge emotions. Work on the outline, brainstorm, journal, and get into the character’s head.