Blog #3 Writer’s Block: Part 2
Let’s discuss some ideas and exercises that can help dislodge the block and get the creative juices flowing!
Health is wealth
As you sit down to begin writing for the day, do you often feel snackish or maybe a little grumpy? Do your eyes sting slightly and your limbs feel watery? This is sort of a no-brainer and yet, I see so many creatives neglect their own health in the name of their craft! Your body takes care of you everyday. You should also take the care to reciprocate that.
I find that when I get the full night’s sleep (8.5 hours) and not rush through crafting a hearty balanced breakfast, I am able to lock in quicker and better and not get distracted by things as easily. One quick gym sesh in the afternoon recharges me so that I’m ready to tackle the rest of the day. Feeling your best can truly help in optimizing your creativity and problem solving mind.
Low stakes writing
Here’s a popular one: writing sprints! Give yourself anywhere from two minutes to five minutes to just . . . write. No editing, no revising, no judgement. Just a steady stream of consciousness onto paper (or screen). For prompts, it can be as simple as a random noun (alarm clock) or a full sentence prompt. I enjoy this exercise because of the time constraint and throw-away nature of it. The pressure is off. This can help you loosen up and flex those writing muscles while developing your figurative and descriptive language.
Pomodoro, your new best friend 🍅
If you haven’t heard of this before, the Pomodoro technique is basically a time management method that breaks up your work session into four intervals with small breaks in between. Each interval is twenty-five minutes with the small break being five minutes. After you complete four intervals, or four pomodori, of dedicated work time, you can take a longer break (usually twenty to thirty minutes) before starting over the Pomodoro timer if you should so choose. (My favorite method is finding a ACNH Pomodoro video online and working alongside that).
The cycle of work and rest helps with breaking down big tasks into more manageable chunks. What I like to do when tackling writing for the day is have the first interval focused on reviewing and revising my story outline. For the next two intervals, I set a small writing goal such as writing one paragraph or writing 300 words. I then spend the remaining interval rereading and editing what I’ve written or I keep on writing as a bonus. As for the breaks, I like to use that time to walk around, stretch, or grab a snack. And NO SCROLLING on social media! I know y’all struggle against the brain rot. Once it grabs our attention, it’s a lot harder to reign focus back to the task at hand.
Ping pong prompts
Collaborate with a friend! Sometimes, we need a little accountability to get back on track. Writing is a long and lonely journey. Why not make it fun while supporting your writer friends? 😄 Arrange a time to meet up outside—don’t forget to soak up the sun and touch grass—or if distance is an obstacle, schedule a virtual hangout. To start, one person picks the initial prompt; it can be simple or complex, similar to a writing sprint. Set a timer of five or ten minutes and write a dialogue exchange, first-person POV, or third-person POV on the topic. When time’s up, share it with your writing buddy and discuss what you guys like and what could be further explored. The idea here is to go down a writing rabbit hole together, bouncing ideas back and forth. The other person then chooses the next prompt that is related to the topic and the process continues on for as long as you guys want!
I love this exercise because it forces me to be present and actively engage with others while exposing me to new ideas and concepts that wouldn’t easily come to me if I was trying to write alone in my room. Go forth and generate inspiration with friends!
Change of Space
And lastly, the classic advice you’ve probably heard a million times: change up your environment. Do you typically write in your office? Maybe try writing from your living room or front porch. Or if you’re feeling bold, head out to that cafe you’ve been meaning to check out! I find the change in scenery refreshing for my mind and stimulating in sparking inspiration and curiosity. Write down what you see, the mundane and the peculiar. It can literally be about anything. The idea here is to take a little break from the act of creating and turn on that observational part of your brain. Your well of creativity will thank you.
This is only scratching the surface of all the numerous ways to break that block. And as always, one person’s sure-fire method might not work for another, so don’t be discouraged! You’ll find an exercise/practice that works the best for you. I’d love to hear what your guys’ tried-and-true methods are for getting over writer’s block. Feel free to share in the comments below.
Happy writing!
