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5 Effective Ways To Overcome Writer's Block

Good news! It is curable.

Hailey Mathieu

Feb 29, 2020

University of South Florida

5 Effective Ways To Overcome Writer's Block

Everypixel.com

Writer's block affects everyone at some point or another, although for different reasons. You may be struggling with the timing, fear of putting your ideas on paper for others to critique, or perfectionism. Regardless of the reason, here are some strategies you can try.

1. Take a break.

It might not be the right time for you to write. In that case, you may need to think about your ideas longer. This is why I recommend taking a break. You can watch your favorite show, eat a meal, or walk outside. The hope is that a break will help your mind recharge, so that when you come back to your work later, you will feel refreshed rather than frustrated.

2. Change your environment.

It may help to move. Figure out if you prefer writing in a quiet or busy place. You can try moving to a library, coffee shop, bookstore, or even another part of your home. It may help to try a busy place where you can "people watch." Hearing other people's conversations may help you spark ideas. Regardless of where you choose, eliminate distractions. Make sure your space is clean and tidy. Stay off your phone, and make it fun by using the app Flipd for complete focus. Flipd locks away your distracting apps and keeps track of how long you've been studying. You can also try using the writing application Ommwriter.

3. Read a book.

Reading a book can help inspire you through the author's unique style, character development, and storyline. Make sure to write any ideas you get down while reading, and if you're feeling really inspired, put down the book and begin writing!

4. Listen to music.

Some people consider music a distraction, but for creative writing, music helps me overcome writer's block. I would recommend listening to music with lyrics that aren't distracting. Personally, I listen to pop music, and its noise and feelings neutralize my ability to distract myself. I use Spotify because it's free and chooses the songs for me, so I don't have to fiddle with my phone every three or four minutes.

5. Just write.

If nothing else works, you can try this trick to overcome writer's block. It's a fail-proof strategy, but one you probably don't want to hear: just write. Write anything. Don't think about it too much. Ignore how it sounds and if the grammar's right. It doesn't have to be good; it just has to be written down. Once you get some words on paper, you'll have something to work with and fix afterwards.

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5 Effective Ways To Overcome Writer's Block

Good news! It is curable.

1. Take a break.

2. Change your environment.

3. Read a book.

4. Listen to music.

5. Just write.

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May the odds be ever in your favor.

Phase One: The “I got this” phase

Phase Two: The “I have time” phase

Phase Three: The uncontrollable sobbing phase

Phase Four: The “help me, I've fallen and I can't get up” phase

Phase Five: The rejoicing phase

10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

Who knows where we would be without them.

1. Thank you for laughing at my jokes, even when they really aren’t funny.

2. Thank you for singing unbearably loud with me all the time.

3. Thank you for letting me vent to you for hours about anything and basically being my personal therapist.

4. Thank you for ordering pizza with me at 2 in the morning.

5. Thank you for all the movie days when we don’t feel like moving.

6. Thank you for being my workout buddy everyday.

7. Thank you for sharing your closets with me.

8. Thank you for taking naps with me at random hours during the day.

9. Thank you for cleaning our home with me when we absolutely need to.

10. Thank you for all the rides when it’s late and you don’t want me to walk home alone in the dark.

11. Thank you for studying with me in our kitchen when we didn't want to go the library.

12. Thank you for making dinner with me.

13. Thank you for helping with my hair, makeup and outfit every time we go out.

14. Thank you for taking countless ugly pictures with me.

15. Thank you for not judging me when I go too long without showering.

16. Thank you for making our apartment feel like a second home.

17. Thank you for being there through all of our boy troubles.

18. Thank you for giving me a hug when I feel homesick.

19. Thank you for getting excited with me when one of us gets a good grade on an exam.

20. Thank you for still being my friend and not judging me when I say or do dumb things.

21. Thank you for telling me what I should do when I am sick.

22. Thank you for dancing horribly with me everywhere we go.

23. Thank you for staying up super late with me when we aren’t tired or can’t sleep.

24. Thank you for being super weird with me.

25. Thank you for all the unforgettable college memories.

26. And most of all, thank you for being the best friends a girl could have.

I may or may not be stressing right now.

1. "What do I have to study for?"

2. "What class do I need to study for the most?"

3. "I’m going to ace this."

4. "Focus!"

5."I have no idea what I'm reading."

6. "I should call my smart friend about this."

7. "I’m going to fail. I’m going to fail."

8. "I’m dropping out of school."

9. "What grade do I have to get on the final to pass the class?"

10. "Oh, no, I have to do good."

11. "I shouldn’t have procrastinated all semester."

12. "I wanna go to bed."

13. "We did not learn this!"

14. "I should go get food."

15. "Why do we even have finals?"

16. "I don’t want to be at the library."

17. "Get off your phone."

18. "I can watch Netflix for like 20 minutes and then go back to studying."

19. "I shouldn’t have watched Netflix."

20. "You have to study now!"

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

Remember you’re the one who can fill the world with sunshine. — Snow White

The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it. — Rafiki

You don't have time to be timid. You must be bold and daring. — Lumière

If watching is all you're gonna do, then you're gonna watch your life go by without ya. — Laverne

Sometimes the right path is not the easiest one. — Grandmother Willow

Always let your conscience be your guide. — Jiminy Cricket

To infinity and beyond. — Buzz Lightyear

Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved. — Pooh

Let it go. — Elsa

If you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all. — Thumper

Today's special moments are tomorrow's memories. — Genie

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