Fear of the Blank Page: Overcoming Writer's Block

It’s every writer’s biggest fear; the blank Word document staring back at you on the screen, or a neatly lined notebook page, just waiting to be filled with words. No matter what kind of writer you are, or at what stage of writing, all of us at some point has had to endure the overwhelming angst of simply not being able to write.

Have no fear! Here, I share with you some steps which can help you overcome the dreaded writer’s block.

Deciding What to Write

Making a decision about what you are going to write is perhaps the hardest part of having writer’s block, but it is also one of the most crucial steps to beating it as well. Your mind is more likely to be overwhelmed and prone to indecisiveness when confronted with endless possibilities. Therefore, establishing a certain topic or theme helps to narrow down potential ideas, making it easier for you to focus and begin something new.

If you are unsure about what to write, try to find a subject which interests you, and one which you want to explore more and base your writing on or around it. This can be helpful as we are often more inclined to put in effort to tasks inspire and spark passion in us, making it easier to begin writing.

Developing Your Ideas

Once you have made a decision about what you want to write, it is time to develop those ideas and delve into the topic in greater depth. This can be done in many different ways and can differ, depending on what type of piece you are writing.

One way to expand your idea is by jotting down everything you think falls under the theme, no matter how unrelated they might seem. Then, from these rough notes you can identify similar or overlapping points and group them together, either creating one big idea or dividing and narrowing down to form smaller concepts which can be used for a piece. Perhaps you might even find an idea somewhere for later use!

Another approach is to research and read related works by other writers. This can be especially useful for relatively shorter pieces of writings such as essays, flash fiction or even poetry, which are easier to read and draw ideas from. Go through your selected writings and note down various aspects of the writing which seem particularly intriguing or useful, and vice versa. Not only will this help you identify which concepts may be applicable to your writing but can also provide ideas on how to structure your work.

Start, Start, Start

If the thought of putting down words to paper terrifies you (like so many of us), you can begin by creating an outline; break down your ideas, broadly categorise them and expand the points in each section. Dividing your writing like this allows you to keep track of individual parts while also guaranteeing that you don't lose sight of the whole piece.

Another technique is to start by mimicking someone else’s writing. Pick an excerpt from a piece of writing that is akin to yours and try to emulate it in your own words. For instance, if you want to write a memoir essay, pick the starting paragraph of a similar essay and imitate the way it is written, in your own words. This gets you into the rhythm of writing and makes the prospect of starting easier. However, when doing this, be careful to not plagiarise another author’s work by using your own tone and style of writing as much as possible. Alternately, you can also apply the same method to any of your own previous writings.

Allow Yourself to Write Badly

While it is uncertain what exactly is the root cause of writer’s block, some researchers believe that it stems from the need for perfection. This, in turn, enforces a fear of failure and dread at falling short of expectations – set either by yourself or by others.

As most writers know, the need for each and every word to be perfect can sometimes be extremely distressing. It is also counterproductive. Writing and rewriting the same sentence over and over again hinders progress and prevents you from moving forward with your work. When this happens, it is important to remind yourself that your writing doesn’t need to be perfect at the beginning. Rather, this is the time to just get your thoughts on the paper, without stressing on the finer points of vocabulary and sentence structure. Write the words exactly as they cross your mind, even if it is less eloquent or articulate than you want.

Once you have finished writing the content – or even a part of it – you can then go back, revise and refine your writing. Repeat this process no matter how many times necessary until you are satisfied with your work.

Go Where the Writing Takes You

Sometimes, even after you finalise your concept and start writing, you find yourself going in a completely different direction then intended. Your carefully composed concepts sometimes become less relevant and the writing looks nothing like you imagined in your head. This can be either extremely distressing or completely liberating. However, no matter what you initially feel, don’t be afraid to go with the flow and improvise where necessary. After all, sometimes the most unexpected pieces are created from a willingness to be taken by surprise.

Putting in the Work

Writing is hard. It is a long and arduous process even in the best of times, which is even more exhausting when you are feeling unmotivated and low on creativity. However, this is the moment when you really need to push yourself.

Set specific time limits in which you will do nothing but write; it doesn’t need to be hours on end, even short bursts of 20-30 minutes of writing can be helpful. Create a routine that works for you and increases your productivity. That being said, you should also be aware of when you need breaks and taking them accordingly. Finding a balance between working and resting is the best way to ensure that you don't burn out and accomplish your best level of work.

If you would like to get your work published on our blog, don’t hesitate to drop us an email. We would love to hear from you. Happy writing!