What are their goals? What are they willing to risk to achieve them? Once you have the answers to these broader questions, you can look at them in any scenario and ask “What is their goal in this particular situation? What action(s) will they take to pursue it?”įor example, if your protagonist’s main goal were to save up and move away, how would they react if their best friend asked for a loan? Or if they entered a new relationship right before they were due to leave?ĭifferent personalities and goals lead to conflicts that drive your story - indeed, if a POV change or more backstory doesn’t fix your writer’s block, go ahead and dive straight into conflict! Which leads into our next tip.Īs author Tom Evans says, when you start outlining, you’ll find that “the information that you need to write that following chapter has an uncanny way of just showing up. Ask yourself what would make your character satisfied with their life. To see point of view in action, here's an in-depth look at what POV is, complete with various examples.Īlternatively, going deeper into the backstory of one of your main characters could give you a better understanding of their motivations - which will, in turn, drive your story forwards. “How might a minor character narrate the scene if they were witnessing it? A ‘fly on the wall’ or another inanimate object?” Altering your story’s point of view (even temporarily) is a great way to break out of mental constraints and gain new insight. To move beyond a block, Hughes also suggests trying to see your story from another perspective. The only way to build a reliable routine is to actually stick to your chosen sessions! Give it at least 3-4 weeks and you’ll start seeing real progress. Whichever days and times you choose, be consistent. Or if you prefer low-pressure writing sessions, you could try Sunday afternoons when you have no other commitments. Figure out the days and times that really work best for you - if you feel most productive in the mornings, it could be worth waking up half an hour earlier to squeeze in some writing. You may already have a routine of sorts, but if you’re experiencing writer’s block, it’s time to switch things up. One of the best ways to push through is by writing on a regular schedule. Build a solid routineĪuthor and dancer Twyla Tharp once wrote, “Creativity is a habit.” This might seem counterintuitive to some - isn’t creativity something that naturally ebbs and flows, not something you can schedule? But the truth is, if you only write when you “feel creative”, you’re bound to get stuck in a rut. (And the next time you find yourself wanting inspiration, well, that’s a perfect excuse to read even more!) 3. Work out what you look for in the books you read, whatever it might be, and incorporate that into your own work.
Or maybe you love the literary embellishments of Nabokov - it might be tough at first, but you could try writing in a similarly elaborate style. Take The Great Gatsby, for example - are you drawn to the parties and glamor of 1920s New York? Perhaps you’re captivated by the extravagant, larger-than-life characters or the drama and intrigue throughout the story. how are they unique? Think about specific writing techniques or literary devices you could implement in your own work, or themes that you find especially compelling. Make a list of favorite books and authors, then consider what you love about each of them. When you find yourself feeling stuck, it can really help to return to these sources to reignite that initial spark. What inspired you to start writing in the first place? Perhaps you’ve got a favorite book you could turn to - or an author you admire. But understanding where your problem lies will help you know which tips are best for you as you go through our list. Of course, there’s no quick fix for any one of these causes. Or if you’re feeling uninspired, you could turn to some of the resources in #7!
For example, if perfectionism is strangling your writing, you might try leaning into the fact that no one’s first draft is perfect - in which case, tactic #4 on this list could really help you. Am I simply feeling tired and run-down?Įach of these problems has a different solution.Have I not written for so long that I feel intimidated by the mere act?.Do I lack confidence in my own abilities, even if I've written plenty before?.Have I lost sight of what my story is about, or interest in where it's going?.Do I feel pressure to succeed and/or compete with other writers?.So let's dig deep: why are you really blocked? Ask yourself: But while most writers have this experience in common, the underlying causes can be quite different. Contrary to what you might think, writer’s block isn’t a sign that you’re a “bad writer” - it’s something that almost every writer will face at some point.
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