Writing Tips #1- How to Get Out of Writers Block

A writer whose head is composed of crumpled paper uses a typewriter. Drew Coffman, July 2010.

Welcome to our first edition of Rose Reads Writing Tips! In these articles, we will suggest some strategies to help you on your writing journey to finish your book and become a published author. In this edition, we will be discussing writers block. Writers block is when you feel “stuck” in the writing process. You have the motivation to write, but the idea just aren’t flowing. Maybe you’re trying to come up with an idea to write about or maybe your half way into your book and don’t know where the story should go next. Here are some tips that may help.

1. Don’t Force Writing

   It’s a lot harder to write when you’re forcing it, ideas can often come naturally, sometimes when we’re not even trying. Some of our best ideas may come from everyday life, past experiences, or even our dreams. Write based off of emotion and experience, not because you need to force something to write about.

2. Look Back on Old Ideas

Get out that old note book, think back on Old Ideas, even reminisce on old stories you used to come up with as a kid. These forgotten or discarded ideas can still be used, even if it’s just taking certain aspects of it or merging multiple ideas together to start a whole new story.

3. Read!

Read a new book, an old book, or even something you already wrote. This can help give inspiration or even just put you in the right headspace to start thinking of stories. Just make sure to not directly copy or make anything that is too close to the original material. There’s a big difference between taking inspiration and copying, people want new ideas!

4. Write Down Ideas Throughout the Day

Sometimes ideas or inspiration can hit you randomly throughout the day; on the bus, making breakfast, reading a book, going to bed, ect. Don’t let these ideas slip away and forget about them, it may be helpful to have a small journal dedicated to story ideas or a page in your phones Notes app for when those ideas arise.

Overall, don’t let writer’s block frustrate you or make you think this is the end of your writing journey, it’s just a bump in the road that all authors go through. Just try to remember to keep the story genuine, don’t force anything because you feel like you have to. The best writing comes from those little bursts of inspiration that we sometimes get, so capture those moments like lightning in a bottle to feed off of when you need to recharge your creative side.

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