Things That May Be Causing Your Writer's Block- And How To Beat Them

Things That May Be Causing Your Writer's Block- and How to Beat Them

I don't like the term 'Writer's Block' - not because it isn't real, but because the term is so vague that it's useless. Hundreds of issues all get lumped together under this one umbrella, making writer's block seem like this all-powerful boogeyman that's impossible to beat. Worse yet, it leaves people giving and receiving advice that is completely ineffective because people often don't realize they're talking about entirely different issues.

In my experience, the key to beating writer's block is figuring out what the block even is, so I put together a list of Actual Reasons why you may be struggling to write:

(note that any case of writer's block is usually a mix of two or more)

Perfectionism (most common)

What it looks like:

You write one sentence and spend the next hour googling "synonyms for ___"

Write. Erase. Write. Rewrite. Erase.

Should I even start writing this scene when I haven't figured out this one specific detail yet?

I hate everything I write

Cringing while writing

My first draft must be perfect, or else I'm a terrible writer

Things that can help:

Give yourself permission to suck

Keep in mind that nothing you write is going to be perfect, especially your first draft

Think of writing your first/early drafts not as writing, but sketching out a loose foundation to build upon later

People write multiple drafts for a reason: write now, edit later

Stop googling synonyms and save that for editing

Write with a pen to reduce temptation to erase

Embrace leaving blank spaces in your writing when you can't think of the right word, name, or detail

It's okay if your writing sucks. We all suck at some point. Embrace the growth mindset, and focus on getting words on a page

Lack of inspiration (easiest to fix)

What it looks like:

Head empty, no ideas

What do I even write about???

I don't have a plot, I just have an image

Want to write but no story to write

Things that can help:

Google writing prompts

If writing prompts aren't your thing, instead try thinking about what kind of tropes/genres/story elements you would like to try out

Instead of thinking about the story you would like to write, think about the story you would like to read, and write that

It's okay if you don't have a fully fleshed out story idea. Even if it's just an image or a line of dialogue, it's okay to write that. A story may or may not come out of it, but at least you got the creative juices flowing

Stop writing. Step away from your desk and let yourself naturally get inspired. Go for a walk, read a book, travel, play video games, research history, etc. Don't force ideas, but do open up your mind to them

If you're like me, world-building may come more naturally than plotting. Design the world first and let the story come later

Boredom/Understimulation (lost the flow)

What it looks like:

I know I should be writing but uugggghhhh I just can'tttttt

Writing words feels like pulling teeth

I started writing, but then I got bored/distracted

I enjoy the idea of writing, but the actual process makes me want to throw my laptop out the window

Things that can help:

Introduce stimulation: snacks, beverages, gum, music such as lo-fi, blankets, decorate your writing space, get a clickity-clackity keyboard, etc.

Add variety: write in a new location, try a new idea/different story for a day or so, switch up how you write (pen and paper vs. computer) or try voice recording or speech-to-text

Gamify writing: create an arbitrary challenge, such as trying to see how many words you can write in a set time and try to beat your high score

Find a writing buddy or join a writer's group

Give yourself a reward for every writing milestone, even if it's just writing a paragraph

Ask yourself whether this project you're working on is something you really want to be doing, and be honest with your answer

Intimidation/Procrastination (often related to perfectionism, but not always)

What it looks like:

I was feeling really motivated to write, but then I opened my laptop

I don't even know where to start

I love writing, but I can never seem to get started

I'll write tomorrow. I mean next week. Next month? Next month, I swear (doesn't write next month)

Can't find the time or energy

Unreasonable expectations (I should be able to write 10,000 words a day, right????)

Feeling discouraged and wondering why I'm even trying

Things that can help:

Follow the 2 min rule (or the 1 paragraph rule, which works better for me): whenever you sit down to write, tell yourself that you are only going to write for 2 minutes. If you feel like continuing once the 2 mins are up, go for it! Otherwise, stop. Force yourself to start but DO NOT force yourself to continue unless you feel like it. The more often you do this, the easier it will be to get started

Make getting started as easy as possible (i.e. minimize barriers: if getting up to get a notebook is stopping you from getting started, then write in the notes app of your phone)

Commit to a routine that will work for you. Baby steps are important here. Go with something that feels reasonable: every day, every other day, once a week, twice a week, and use cues to help you remember to start. If you chose a set time to write, just make sure that it's a time that feels natural to you- i.e. don't force yourself to writing at 9am every morning if you're not a morning person

Find a friend or a writing buddy you can trust and talk it out or share a piece of work you're proud of. Sometimes we just get a bit bogged down by criticism- either internal or external- and need a few words of encouragement

The Problem's Not You, It's Your Story (or Outline (or Process))

What it looks like:

I have no problems writing other scenes, it's just this scene

I started writing, but now I have no idea where I'm going

I don't think I'm doing this right

What's an outline?

Drowning in documents

This. Doesn't. Make. Sense. How do I get from this plot point to this one?!?!?! (this ColeyDoesThings quote lives in my head rent free cause BOY have I been there)

Things That Can Help:

Go back to the drawing board. Really try to get at the root of why a scene or story isn't working

A part of growing as a writer is learning when to kill your darlings. Sometimes you're trying to force an idea or scene that just doesn't work and you need to let it go

If you don't have an outline, write one

If you have an outline and it isn't working, rewrite it, or look up different ways to structure it

You may be trying to write as a pantser when you're really a plotter or vice versa. Experiment with different writing processes and see what feels most natural

Study story structures, starting with the three act structure. Even if you don't use them, you should know them

Check out Ellen Brock on YouTube. She's a professional novel editor who has a lot of advice on writing strategies for different types of writers

Also check out Savage Books on YouTube (another professional story editor) for advice on story structure and dialogue. Seriously, I cannot recommend this guy enough

Executive Dysfunction, Usually From ADHD/Autism

What it looks like:

Everything in boredom/understimulation

Everything in intimidation/procrastination

You have been diagnosed with and/or have symptoms of ADHD/Autism

Things that can help:

If you haven't already, seek a diagnosis or professional treatment

Hire an ADHD coach or other specialist that can help you work with your brain (I use Shimmer; feel free to DM me for a referral)

Seek out neurodiverse communities for advice and support

Try body doubling! There's lot's of free online body doubling websites out there for you to try. If social anxiety is a barrier, start out with writing streams such as katecavanaughwrites on Twitch

Be aware of any sensory barriers that may be getting in the way of you writing (such as an uncomfortable desk chair, harsh lighting, bad sounds)

And Lastly, Burnout, Depression, or Other Mental Illness

What it looks like:

You have symptoms of burnout or depression

Struggling with all things, not just writing

It's more than a lack of inspiration- the spark is just dead

Things that can help:

Forget writing for now. Focus on healing first.

Seek professional help

If you feel like it, use writing as a way to explore your feelings. It can take the form of journaling, poetry, an abstract reflection of your thoughts, narrative essays, or exploring what you're feeling through your fictional characters. The last two helped me rediscover my love of writing after I thought years of depression had killed it for good. Just don't force yourself to do so, and stop if it takes you to a darker place instead of feeling cathartic

Ok so we all agree that Will doesn’t know his birthday and I wanna share my take for that headcanon

No one knows his birthday. The adults who looked after the ward didn’t want him to feel left out, and ended up dubbing the day he arrived at the ward as the day they’d celebrate his birthday. He was too young to have any opinions on this when they decided, and by the time he was old enough to form his own thoughts on it, the tradition was already pretty established and he didn’t feel like he could change it.

He hated it. Everyone was treating that day with celebration, but to him, it was just a big slap in the face; a reminder of the life he could’ve had if he weren’t orphaned. He’d spend his birthdays by himself, or at least he’d try to. Everyone still wanted to celebrate, so finding a spot to be alone was difficult.

He would’ve asked everyone to leave him alone, but he felt like it would be for naught. When he was really young, maybe when he was turning 6, he bursted out crying on his birthday because he just wanted to be alone. Horace made fun of him for this, and Will got the impression that no one would care or listen if he told them he hated the celebration.

Halt never celebrated his birthday when he became his apprentice, without him even asking. He thought Halt just didn’t know his birthday, and he wasn’t going to tell him. In reality, Halt knew, but he also saw how much Will hated his birthday and thought it best to not celebrate.

As he grew up and especially as he found his own family, he grew less disdainful of his birthday, eventually celebrating it himself with the people closest to him. It was no longer the day he was torn from his “real” family, but instead it was the day his life became what it was. It was painful and beautiful and perfect, and he wasn’t going to let what his life could’ve been stop him from appreciating what he had.

“I can blacken some of your teeth, Lockwood,” she said. “Otherwise they’re much too shiny. Some darkening around the eyes should make them look puffier, and a smear of pale paste on the cheekbones will give you a good unhealthy sheen. With a bit of work I can make you look sick, needy, and unattractive. Give me half an hour.” I was trying on a foul horsehair wig. “How about me?” “In your case, I don’t need to do too much. Five minutes should be fine.”

IS NOBODY GONNA TALK ABOUT HOW BITCHY THAT COMMENT FROM HOLLY WAS??? IF I WAS LUCY I SWEAR I WOULD HAVE. LOST. IT. LIKE MAYBE SHE DIDN'T MEAN TO BE RUDE BUT STILLLL

Nico and Percy have so much in common with how they deal and cope with everything. I feel like if they could ever just sit down and talk about everything they would see that they understand each other better than anybody else in the universe understands them.

Because Will doesn’t understand Nico at all and doesn’t even try to, all Will does is try to gaslight Nico to think that the ostracizing he went through didn’t happen, and doesn’t understand when Nico acts accordingly with his ptsd, and doesn’t understand that Nico does not need to he “fixed” and that Nico was never “broken” — I could go on and on so I’ll leave it at that

Sally and Annabeth and maybe Paul kinda understand the surface of what Percy’s got going on but they know they’re missing something they know Percy’s not telling them everything because Percy doesn’t want to scare them, doesn’t want them to be worried for him, doesn’t want them to be afraid of him (and they already kinda are afraid of him especially Annabeth).

And I feel like Percy would truly understand most of what Nicos been through because he also went through something similar at some point in his life and Percy has never been afraid of Nico like so many people are and Percy tried to include him in things especially when they were younger. Percy sees that Nico is not “broken” he does not need to be “fixed” or “healed”. He just needs understanding and time to get used to something new.

And Nico wouldn’t be afraid of Percy either and Percy could finally let down his guard and tell Nico everything without worrying about Nico being afraid of him or for him. Wouldn’t have to worry about Nico thinking he’s crazy and too dark and too angry. Because Nico understands that Percy’s crazy dark and angry feelings are very much justified and valid and has alot of the same feelings and they have similar ways of coping.

It’s crazy how much they mirror each other. I want them to be friends so bad but I know they wouldn’t really spend time with each other unless they were forced to. I wish Chiron or Sally or Annabeth would lock them in one of their cabins for a few days so they can actually talk and make a bond.

List 5 things that make you happy, then put this in the askbox for the last 10 people who reblogged something from you! get to know your mutuals and followers (ó ꒳ ò✿)

My cats

Art

Sleeping

Tea/coffee

Sushi

Once more for those in the back.