No matter how long you've been writing for, writer's block can still be an obstacle. Poems, Odyssey articles, short stories or novels are all susceptible to the obstacle of not knowing what to write next; or maybe you have no clue about what you want to write about in the first place. Listed here are five ways to show writer's block who is boss, and restart your creative flow!
1. Listen to music.
Plugging in your headphones and tuning out the world around you can be an excellent way to block out any distractions that may be preventing your flow of new ideas. Listen to some new artists or songs you haven't heard before to trigger new thoughts or turn on an old playlist to reminisce on your own memories.
2. Tune into the people around you.
On the contrary from tip one, listening to the people around you can inspire ideas, and you may overhear some interesting dialogue. This is a tip I learned from my Creative Writing class. Although eavesdropping on conversations with no purpose is usually not socially accepted, it gives you an inside glimpse into the lives of others. Listening to the conversations of those around you can help with developing your own round characters in your own writing. Just make sure you're listening in on a public conversation, and not something that is intended to be private.
3. Read a book.
Reading the work of others can help motivate you to create your own, as well as inspire you. Being exposed to writing styles of different authors is beneficial for your creativity (as long as you aren't directly copying someone else's writing).
4. Watch the news.
Hearing about events going on near you or even across the globe can plant ideas in your head for topics to write about. It can be easier to write about something that has happened before instead of making up a situation from scratch in your head.
5. Take a break to recharge.
Sometimes the best thing you can do for your writing is to put it away, take a much-needed break, and come back to it later. That way your brain will be clear and refreshed the next time you sit down and pick the pen and paper back up!
- To Writers With Writer's Block And A Deadline ›
- Conquering Writer's Block ›
- From A Journalism Major With Writer's Block ›
- 10 Ways To Combat Writer's Block ›
- The 10 Stages Of Writers Block ›
man running in forestPhoto by 
"I thought you knew what you signed up for."
man and woman in bathtub
Photo by 
four women sitting on black steel bench during daytime
Photo by 
Uber app ready to ride on a smartphone.
Photo by 
woman in red tank top and blue denim shorts standing beside woman in black tank top
Photo by 
blue marker on white printer paper
Photo by 
welcome signage on focus photography
Photo by 
woman in white and black striped long sleeve shirt lying on bed
Photo by 
pink pig coin bank on brown wooden table
Photo by 
person holding iPhone 6 turned on
Photo by 
person holding pencil near laptop computer
Photo by 
person slicing vegetable
Photo by 
