Banishing Writer's Block | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Banishing Writer's Block

For all those times when you want to write, but the words just won't come out.

19
Banishing Writer's Block
condesign

Creative writing is one of the best ways to express yourself, whether you're doing it for fun or just to vent. Anybody can be a writer, and all it takes is a pen, some paper, and a healthy imagination. But sometimes, even though you have the motivation to write, you simply can't get the words out of your pen. Here's a few ways to knock that writers's block!

1. Read another book.

A lot of inspiration can be pulled from other authors' writing. Take your favorite book off the shelf, or pick up something that you've never read before, and take notes on what you do and don't like about the author's writing style. Not only will this get your mind working, but by learning what you like and dislike as a reader, you can better craft your own style.

2. Clean your work space.

A cluttered desk equals a cluttered mind. Take a few moments to clear the trash off your desk, straighten out the books and papers, and maybe test all the pens in your cup to make sure they all work. If that's not enough, reorganize the icons on your desktop. If you keep a collection of separate pages for your writing, you may want to take some time to move everything into a binder or copy your work into a clean notebook.

3. Stop writing.

I know that it may be the last thing you want to do, but staring at a blank page and wracking your brain won't help you find your muse any faster. Take a break and take a walk around the house or around the block. When you get your blood pumping, your brain will start working a little bit faster and that should pull you out of the sludge you're working through.

4. Look up prompts.

There are countless blogs on tumblr that serve no purpose other than to bring you fresh writing prompts that you can easily slip your pre-existing characters into. An entirely new setting can be just the thing you need to develop your characters and learn more about them. Or, if you're looking for a fresh endeavor, you can create brand new characters for the prompts! The sky is the limit, and a prompt provides you with the fuel you need to reach that limit.

5. Find a new location.

Sometimes all you need to is move; take your laptop or notebook to the next room, to the local park, or even just to your front porch, weather permitting. Trying to find a space that's chock full of lush plant life can be especially helpful; the oxygen from the plants will revitalize your tired brain, and the color green promotes creativity. If you're unable to move for any reason at all, try sitting or laying in a different position. Play around with different font styles in your word processor, even if you go back to the original font you had picked out. Doing something to change up your environment could be all you need to get your hamster wheel turning.

6. Rewrite the last 100 words.

Make a copy of your document and delete the last hundred (or couple hundred) words, even if this means you stop in the middle of a sentence. Go back a few paragraphs and read what you have down, and then start writing again. Rewrite what you had before, or take things in an entirely different direction. Recreating your momentum can push you right through a sticky scene and right into the next one! To avoid getting stuck in the future, I recommend writing at least the next two sentences of the next paragraph or chapter so that you aren't left at a wall.


Writer's block usually comes and goes on its own, but sometimes, it takes a firm shove to get the gears in your head moving. With any luck, the above tips will help you reduce your writer's block to a pebble that you can easily kick aside on your path to a finished piece!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

182571
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

9330
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

453944
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

24167
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments