Battling writer’s block

By Raine Thomas

For us writers, there is no worse feeling than staring at a blank page or screen, fingers poised over the keyboard, with no words ever hitting the page. Writer’s block strikes us randomly and, at least in my case, at the worst possible times. So how can we battle this unpredictable foe? Today, I’ll share my top tips in hopes I spare you some future frustration.

Here we go:

Just write something. And I mean anything! Sometimes the hardest part of writing is getting started. Freewriting often helps my brain switch gears and allows the words to flow again. Set a timer for 10 to 15 minutes and write without stopping about something that interests you, or even just a recap of your day, and see if that kick-starts your creativity.
Change your environment. A change of scenery often works wonders to help me overcome writer’s block! If you usually write at your desk, try moving to a different room or head out to your favorite cafe. A new environment can inspire fresh ideas, especially if it allows you to people watch.
Get moving. Sitting for too long can stifle your creativity and induce writer’s block. Make sure you take breaks and stretch, take a walk, or engage in some form of physical activity. Sometimes just washing the dishes or folding a load of laundry helps spark new ideas for me.
Switch up your subject. If you’re stuck on a particular project, try switching to a new writing prompt. There are countless websites and writer support groups on social media filled with writing prompts. Choose a prompt that interests you and use it to jump-start your writing. Warning, though: you might end up coming up with an entirely new writing project to add to your list (not that I’m speaking from experience.)
Try meditation. I’ll admit, this tip isn’t one I use because I’ve never been very good at it. But many of my writing colleagues swear by it, so I had to include it! Use a meditation app or just sit somewhere quiet and clear your mind, focusing on your breathing. Allow your anxiety and self-doubt to drain away and (hopefully) you’ll welcome the words again.
Focus on one story element. Particularly when writing a book, a project can feel overwhelming, resulting in writer’s block. When that happens, I like to think about a single scene or character and just write about that. You can always weave that piece of writing into the larger manuscript later.
Get inspired. There are some writers who refuse to read while they’re writing, worried they’ll end up “stealing” ideas. I argue that there are no new ideas. Getting inspired by something you read (or a movie or television show you watch) isn’t the same as plagiarism, and it can go a long way towards pushing you through your writer’s block.
Go easy on yourself. Remember that first drafts are always crap. They’re meant to be. Striving for perfection in your first draft puts too much pressure on yourself, so give yourself permission to just focus on getting your ideas down on paper. The editing and polishing will come later!

While I hope you’re never afflicted with writer’s block, odds are it will be part of your writing journey. The important thing to remember when that time comes is you’re not alone, and eventually it will pass. Hopefully one of my tips helps you through it, but if they don’t, be sure to check out these other great posts on the subject:

Monday Musings on Blank Page Syndrome by Lucy Appadoo
Three Bestselling Authors Tackle Blank Page Syndrome by Elyse Salpeter, Samreen Ahsan, and Scott Bury
The “B” Word by AJ. Llewellyn

Raine Thomas

is a multiple award-winning author of bestselling romance. Known for character-driven stories that inspire the imagination, Raine has signed with multiple award-winning producer Chase Chenowith of Back Fence Productions to bring her popular Daughters of Saraqael trilogy to the big screen. She’s a proud indie author who is living the dream.

Raine loves to hear from readers! Visit her BestSelling Reads page, or you can connect with her here: