Even the best writers have those moments where they just feel uninspired to write. Writer’s block is real and it can be frustrating, to say the least. There have been so many times I have stared at my screen and felt like I had no ideas and no motivation. It’s a feeling of being stuck. It’s completely okay to feel like this, and it certainly doesn’t mean you’re not a good writer. Just don’t stay at that place! You have to find ways to re-inspire yourself and reignite that writing flame you know you have inside yourself.
1. Know that stress can have an effect on your writing ability.
If you’re feeling stressed out, try to remove yourself from that stress before writing. Take a few minutes to meditate, relax, and unwind before you even think about what you’re writing. Do something you enjoy doing, or go back to the place you first felt inspired.
2. Listen to music that makes you think.
My go-to music is always by Bon Iver. His music is relaxing, yet has a lot of emotion and scenery described in the lyrics. You may need something upbeat, or you may need classical music. It depends on what you’re writing and what motivates you.
3. Free-writing.
Take a short time period to write whatever comes to your head. Ignore grammar, punctuation, and any restrictions whatsoever. This will allow you to clear your head, possibly even reveal subconscious thoughts. You might even find your next big idea in one of these thoughts!
4. Do not be critical of yourself.
When writing, use your creativity. During editing, you can be as critical as you want about yourself, but during the creative process, do not be too hard on yourself or worry too much about formatting and such.
5. Get back to nature.
We have so many distractions these days, it’s almost like we never have time to just think. For me, nature inspires me in so many ways. It’s not only calming, but my best ideas have come from observing nature, and just being with my own thoughts.
6. Don’t force it.
Don’t write when you don’t feel like it. Your best work will be when you’re feeling your best. Effectively communicating ideas and emotions will be much easier when your own feelings are positive. When you feel like writing, write. When you don’t, give yourself time.
7. Work on more than one project.
No-one said you have to finish one project from start to finish. Work on what you feel inspired towards; feel free to bounce back and forth between projects. Sometimes we may get bored with a certain piece. Have you ever seen, or heard, a word so much that it starts to sound weird? This an happen when we spend way too much time on something, too. Take a break, and come back to it with a clear head.
8. Remember why you’re writing.
There’s usually a purpose for what you’re writing. Whether it’s to be informative, or entertaining, or helpful. Keep seeing your end goal, and reminding yourself why it was so important to you in the first place.
Remember that while writer’s block can sneak in at any moment, it does not have to stay there. It’s important to remind yourself to be patient with yourself, and to not give up on your ideas. There are always ways of finding that inspiration again, and you might be surprised how easily that can happen.
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