Goodbye Blank Screen
7 Ways to Overcome Writer’s Block
Have you ever found yourself staring blankly at your laptop screen, cursor blinking mockingly, as you struggle to string together even a single sentence?
Yep, we’ve all been there.
That pesky, creativity-sapping phenomenon known as writer’s block has a way of sneaking up on us, often at the most inopportune times.
It’s a common hurdle in the journey of content creation.
But the good news is, you can conquer it!
In this blog, I’m going to share with you some of the tactics that have helped me get over the writer’s block hurdle and get the words flowing again.
Understanding Writer’s Block
So, what exactly do I mean when I say writer’s block?
Simply put, it’s that frustrating state where, despite your best efforts, words just refuse to flow.
It’s like your creativity has decided to take an unexpected vacation.
It’s totally normal – and it happens to ALL of us!
Often, writer’s block is the result of an underlying cause, even if you may not realize it.
Some of the more common triggers include:
Perfectionism – Waiting for every sentence to be flawless? This can stop you dead in your tracks
Fear of failure – Worrying about not meeting expectations (yours or your audiences’)? Yep, that can do it.
Lack of inspiration – Sometimes your muse just won’t come out of hiding.
External pressures – Deadlines, stress or personal challenges can add to the block.
Burnout – Overworking can leave your creative well dry.
Inability to focus – If you’re like me and have those days where the distractions are just overwhelming you, it can lead to additional stress and fuel your writer’s block.
Recognizing your triggers is the first step in overcoming them.
Once you realize what is feeding your writer’s block, you’re better equipped to take action to overcome it.
Remember, writer’s block isn’t a reflection of your abilities or potential. It’s a common experience every content creator faces at some point.
The key is to not see it as a failure but as a natural part of your creative journey.
Practical Strategies to Overcome Writer’s Block
Here are some tactics you can try to get your creative juices flowing.
Freewriting
Freewriting is all about writing continuously without worrying about spelling, grammar or even making sense. I tend to use freewriting when I’m struggling to focus.
Forcing myself to just sit and write, regardless of what I’m writing, will help my brain become more task-oriented. Set a timer for 10 minutes and go. No filters and no hesitation. Just write.
Mind mapping
Similar to freewriting but more topic-oriented. Pick a general category topic for your content and then write all related items that fall under it or write all the different angles or approaches you could take related to the item.
Don’t spend too much time thinking, just write and let it flow. Set your timer for 10 minutes and go. Once you’re done, look over what you wrote and see what ideas resonate with you at this time.
Setting realistic goals
Projects can be overwhelming. Sometimes when I break a project down, I don’t actually break it down into small enough or manageable tasks.
So, instead of “write the copy for the new lead magnet,” if I break it down into tasks like “write the introduction page,” it helps narrow my focus and reduces the stress of the task.
Change of scenery
Sometimes I just need to get away to get the words flowing. When I’m struggling with writer’s block, I will sometimes find myself getting distracted by other things I could be doing, even things like laundry or dishes. I’m (unfortunately) fantastic at using planning or chores as a means of procrastination.
So “out of sight, out of mind” helps me during these times. Getting out of the house can do wonders to help me from being distracted. Hit up the WiFi at a coffee shop or even McD’s to help you get your work done. Even just going to the backyard has helped me.
Schedule breaks
Remember, it’s okay to take breaks. In fact, scheduling breaks can boost your productivity and creativity. Step away from your desk, take a walk, or just stretch. I like to use the Pomodoro technique.
I have an extension on my browser called Marinara. I set it for 50 minutes of work, followed by a 10-minute rest. It’s a way to gamify my work. I know if I push for 50 minutes, I’m rewarded with a 10-minute break for whatever I want.
Use AI
Sometimes, I struggle with getting specific about what content I want to create and I just go blank when trying to come up with different perspectives.
For example, if I know I want to talk about email marketing this week, but I can’t seem to come up with ideas about what to say other than “you need to do it,” I’ll jump on ChatGPT. I’ll tell it what I do and who my target audience is and then I’ll enter a prompt like “I want to write a blog post about the importance of email marketing. Provide me with 10 specific topics related to it.”
If I find something that may be useful, I’ll enter a prompt, such as “Provide me with 5 different perspectives I would write about related to #7.” Then I may even go further and prompt “Write an outline for a blog using perspective #3.”
This usually gets my mind running and I can get to work.
Using a Content Calendar
You may have heard me say this before, but having a content calendar is your best friend when it comes to avoiding writer’s block.
Plan your content in advance and have a roadmap of what you’ll be creating and when. By having a clear schedule, you’re less likely to feel overwhelmed.
Even if it’s just a general subject you’ve identified on your calendar, using some of the strategies already listed will help spur ideas about what specific content to create.
These suggestions are all about finding what works best for you.
Save this post and experiment with these strategies. I can assure you that there will not be one solution that will always work for you. It just depends on what space you’re in during that moment and what you will respond best to.
Sometimes just going outside works wonders for me. Other times, I need to mind map to spark ideas. And then there are times when I just need to break the work down into smaller chunks to make it easier to accomplish.
Develop a Healthy Writing Routine
This is what I’m working on now. I’d love for you to join me on the journey.
Consistency is key to minimizing writer’s block in the long run. Developing and maintaining a writing schedule is critical to achieving consistency.
Regardless of what kind of content you are creating – blogs, podcasts, videos, social media – you need to develop a writing routine to help you write your posts, episode outlines/scripts, captions, etc.
And there we have it – a collection of strategies to help you overcome writer’s black and spark your creativity.
Remember, writer’s block is a natural occurrence that everyone experiences at some point or another. But there are strategies to overcome it.
Experiment and find 2-3 strategies that work for you and hold them close for those times of need.
And above all, know that your words have the power to inspire, inform and transform – and the world needs to hear them.
If you want to go deeper on some of these strategies, check out the related blog posts below.