9 Ways to Conquer Writer's Block

Writer’s block: the inability to write another word. 

That’s putting it rather simply, and it’s a moment in time all writers dread. So how do you get past writer's block? Below, are some of my favorite techniques.

• Do something else. Sometimes the answer is to step away from your computer. Take a walk, clean the house, watch a movie, hang out with friends. 

• Discuss it out loud. You don’t necessarily need a live person to do this. Ramble to yourself, discuss what you want to happen with a stuffed animal, explain the problem you’re having to a picture. You might be surprised how this helps you work though what’s causing your writer’s block.

• Try a new approach. Put your characters in danger, have them take the hard right over the easy wrong (or vise versa), turn left instead of right.

• Allow yourself to write crap. It will help you get to where you need to be in the story.

• Work on a different scene. Often times writing a scene that comes later in the book will help you realize what needs to happen in the one you’re stuck on.

• Do some writing exercises. There are sites that offer themes, Figment being one of them.

• Try the cluster technique. Write down a word, any word, then jot down anything that comes to mind when you think of that word.

• Map out options. To the left is a much neater version of what I often do on a piece of notebook paper.

• Give yourself a break. Inspiration can't be forced. Allowing yourself to take a short break might just get your creative juices flowing again.