The Writer’s Block: Tips On What To Do When You Can’t Write

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Published: April 24, 2020 | Last Updated: May 6, 2025

Writer’s block is a common struggle, but it’s not undefeatable. Here are some different ways I use to help me overcome that blank page, get the creative juices flowing, and generate new ideas.

1. Clear Your Mind. Take Breaks and Engage In Physical Activity

Sometimes, moving away from your writing desk and clearing your mind can be the best way to break through creative blocks.

Like the muscles in your body, the writing muscles in your brain also need breaks and restitution.

You might feel like you must write constantly, but the best ideas often come when you aren’t working. Fx when walking up the stairs, going to the gym, running, or showering.

Meditation and Mindfulness

Meditation and mindfulness are also good ideas. Deep, controlled breaths can help quiet the mental chatter and foster clarity. This acts as a reset button for your mind, promoting focus and relaxation. Tip: My editor highly recommends the app Headspace, which he has used for years.

Also, nature can be a great source of creativity. The tranquility of nature, the rustling leaves, the chirping birds- these simple pleasures can spark inspiration.

Active breaks like mindful walking (in nature) can stimulate your creativity. Listen to the rhythmic steps of the ground when going on a long walk. And listen to the sounds and watch what’s going on around you. Try to focus on the now and not your story.

By marrying focused awareness with gentle movement, you enter a creative flow where creativity flows freely.

2. Set Realistic Goals and Reward Yourself

Realistic goal-setting is an essential step in overcoming writer’s block.

Rather than tackling a whole chapter, focus on completing a paragraph or a page at a time. Aim for a page a day instead of trying to write a novel in a week.

When you’re clear about your purpose, goal setting becomes a natural next step. Break your project into manageable milestones to keep you moving forward.

Set one goal per rewrite to maintain momentum.

Setting clear goals is manageable and less intimidating, promoting a more consistent writing habit.

Reward yourself after achieving a writing goal. This could be a short break, a favorite snack, or a quick walk, essentially anything that makes the task feel rewarding.

Share your goals with a friend or writing group. They can encourage constructive feedback and help keep you on track.

Mark off each completed task, or keep a journal of your writing journey. Seeing your progress can be a great motivator.

Also, check out How Long Does It Take To Write A Screenplay For A Movie?

3. Seek Feedback and Collaboration

Opening up your work to others can help you see your work from another perspective. It could be your best friend who isn’t a writer or a professional writer. It doesn’t matter.

Working with other writers fosters innovation and enhances your writing process as you learn from each other’s strengths.

Online writing communities are fantastic platforms for this.

Brainstorming with a group of writers is another effective strategy. It allows you to exchange unique story ideas and triggers your creative thinking.

Writing workshops provide a structured environment for learning, interaction, and feedback, equipping you with novel techniques to tackle writer’s block.

4. Change Your Writing Environment

Changing your usual writing space can dramatically impact overcoming your writer’s block.

Try trading your home office or living room for the coffee shop down the street. The coffee shop environment fosters creativity, thanks to the buzz of activity and the change in scenery.

If the coffee shop isn’t your scene, nature’s influence can be a breath of fresh air your writing needs. Take your notebook to a local park or garden.

The library can clear your mind and help you focus with its quiet ambiance and surrounding knowledge.

If you can afford it, you can also travel to another country as a vacation or as a creative writer’s retreat.

Sometimes, you can get lucky and find an organization that offers creative retreats for artists such as musicians, painters, and writers for cheap.

The idea is to escape your daily routine, focus on your work in a creative environment, and develop fresh ideas.

5. Establish a Routine

Establishing a routine and implementing a time management system is another effective way to help you combat writer’s block.

Incorporate daily rituals into your routine to build consistency. It could be a morning run, coffee before you start, or even setting the mood with your favorite music.

The idea is to reduce the number of choices you have to make before you get to work, which can be mentally draining.

That’s why successful entrepreneurs have eight of the same kind of shirt in the closet. They don’t have to spend half an hour picking out clothes every morning—instead, they can focus on their work.

Don’t overlook productivity hacks. Tools and techniques that enhance focus and productivity can be invaluable. Fx, you can use the Pomodoro time management method. Here, you do 25-minute stretches of writing sessions broken by five-minute breaks.

After four work intervals, take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes. Using something like the Pomodoro technique is a great way to break up the day in small intervals, making you work more effectively.

6. Find Inspiration Elsewhere

Artistic inspiration can be a powerful muse. Exploring visual forms of expression, like painting or sculpture, can breathe new life into your writing and provide fresh viewpoints and narratives.

Music’s influence can be potent. Lyrics can trigger emotions and ideas, while melodies can set the mood for scenes. To get inspired, read a book or watch a short film, a play, or a TV show. Watch current events unfold on the news or social media (if you dare). Travel experiences open up new cultures, perspectives, and stories that can infuse your work with authenticity.

Your experiences, thoughts, and feelings are unique, making them a goldmine for original content. But sometimes, you need to tank up with new experiences to inject new ideas into your own writing.

7. Brainstorm and Generate Ideas

The quality of your ideas doesn’t matter at this stage. What’s important is the quantity.

Try giving free writing a go, where you write without editing or being critical. Don’t worry about the right words or the arc of your fictional characters. The most important thing is to write.

There’s a good chance that most of what you see on your computer screen will be crap. It doesn’t matter! This isn’t about creating your best writing but setting your mind free.

8. Identify Your Obstacles

Identifying the barriers stopping you from writing is important in overcoming writer’s block. Try to identify your fears.

Do you fear the script isn’t going to be perfect? Remember, the first draft doesn’t have to be perfect. Don’t listen to your inner critic in the early stages of the script.

Are you afraid to make a wrong decision for a character? Don’t worry, you can always change it later. Overcoming fear is essential to unlock your writing potential.

Motivational strategies, such as mindfulness, can be instrumental in breaking down these barriers.

9. Keep a Dream Journal

Have you ever had a dream in which you thought, “Wow, that would make a great movie?” And then ten minutes later, you can remember the dream?

Keeping a dream journal can become a good friend in your writing arsenal. Keep a book and a pen beside your bed (or a laptop) and write down your dreams as soon as you wake up.

Also, dream analysis, the process of deciphering the hidden meanings in your dreams, can unlock a wealth of inspiration. Understanding dream symbolism allows your subconscious to communicate with your conscious mind, presenting concepts that can break the block.

Read more on Symbolism in film.

10. Identify what Motivates You and Put it to Action

Establish a clear sense of purpose for your creative process. Ask yourself, why am I doing this in the first place?

Motivation is the key driver behind writing, and it varies from person to person.

• Is it your larger career aspirations that drive you?
• Is it a specific story, character, theme, genre, or the joy of writing itself?
• Is it the importance of storytelling and the impact your stories might have on people’s lives?

Your motivation is important because it guides you when you don’t know what to write or how to proceed. Recognize the significance of your writing and the potential to connect with readers.

However, motivation can fluctuate, and it’s crucial to capitalize on it when it’s present. That’s why having a good writing routine is essential when you don’t feel motivated. Writing is hard work, as many successful writers can testify.

Having that routine in place will get you closer to a starting point when the divine inspiration is missing.

Closing Thoughts

Remember, dreading that first sentence on a blank page is normal and something most professional writers experience. But overcoming writer’s block is a hurdle you’re capable of clearing.

It’s okay to stop writing and take breaks. Your brain needs downtime, too. Set realistic goals, seek feedback, and change your environment.

Understand your purpose, find inspiration elsewhere, and brainstorm. Figure out what’s holding you back (remember, the first take doesn’t have to be perfect), and keep a dream journal.

These strategies aren’t just cures. They’re also preventative measures.

If you don’t write today, don’t beat yourself up. Be kind to yourself. You are not a machine. You’re not a computer, and you are not an algorithm, nor do algorithms run your life and dictate what you must do to succeed.

“Productivity” is not the be-all and end-all of the human condition. It might feel that way sometimes, but it’s one of the worst lies our society tells us.

Now, get back to your writing with renewed energy and focus. Your voice matters, and the world is waiting to hear your story.

Read Next: Check out the Screenwriter’s Toolkit of Literary Devices and Elements