Want to know how to overcome writer’s block?
Your search ends here.
What’s the ONE common problem most writers face?
If you said “writer’s block”, you’re absolutely right.
Writer’s block can be a frustrating experience, but it is also normal when you’re a creative person like a writer or director. In its simplest form, writer’s block occurs when a writer is unable to write ANYTHING useful.
The cause of this problem can vary from person to person.
For some, it may be due to fatigue or boredom. Others may want everything to be PERFECT before they write a word. Whatever the cause, if you’re looking for PROVEN ways to get past writer’s block, this post is for you.
Let’s jump into the details without much ado.
How to Get Rid of Writer’s Block? 7 PROVEN Ways
1. Write
The simplest way to cure writer’s block is to write more.
The BIGGEST problem with most writers is they want to be perfect (all the time). We’re all humans. We’re NOT perfect.
So simply keep writing, even if what you’re producing is garbage. The goal is to reach a point where the words start flowing again and you can edit out the bad stuff later.
Accept the truth that you can’t create “perfect articles” every time you sit in front of your laptop. You’ll write terribly sometimes. That’s okay!
If you wait for the PERFECT time to write copy, it’ll never come. You’ll simply procrastinate and never get things done.
The best way to deal with writer’s block is simply to write and realize that your bad writing isn’t final. You can always rewrite. You can always write another draft. You can always edit.
Imagine you’re getting paid to write something every single day, even a small paragraph.
Don’t be concerned about the “quality” when you’re struggling to write. Just write. You’ll improve automatically. Just like any other skill, with practice, you’ll overcome writer’s block.
2. Take the help of AI writing tools
Want to beat writer’s block and write more words in less time? Then, you should try AI writing tools.
With the help of AI writer tools, you can write almost anything starting from essays to stories, novels, product descriptions, social media posts, and more.
Most AI writing apps use GPT-3 which uses deep learning to produce human-like text.
The best part? Popular AI tools like Jasper AI create 100% original content on almost EVERY topic.
In case you’re curious to learn how, here’s a quick tutorial on using Jasper AI to overcome writer’s block.
Let’s say you’re struggling to write a compelling introduction for your article, essay, or any type of content.
You can simply take the template “Blog Post Intro Paragraph” from Jasper as it helps you get over writers block by letting Jasper write your opening paragraph.
All you need to do is to enter a title, the audience it’s for, and your preferred tone of voice.
Once you hit the “Generate AI Content” button, it will automatically generate an introduction for you based on the input.
Have a look at the output;
See that? Jasper instantly created multiple versions of Introduction lines based only on a title.
From there, you can take that initial paragraph and tweak each sentence to your liking. If you still want to generate more content, you can always use the Boss Mode from Jasper to create long-form content including blog posts, essays, novels, stories, and so on.
In case you want to learn more, watch the following 10-minute video made by the Jasper team.
But how much does Jasper cost?
An AI writing tool like Jasper is NOT free and it currently has the following two pricing options.
1. Starter: If you’re looking for the cheapest plan from Jasper, go with the Starter plan. It’s useful for creating short content.
- Pricing: Starts at $29 per month to create up to 20K words and goes up to $399 per month to generate up to 320K words per month.
- Features include: 50+ AI templates, creating content in 20+ languages, adding up to 5 users
- Best for: Writers who want to create short content such as descriptions, titles, author bios, social media posts, etc.
2. Boss Mode: If you want to create detailed content, go with the Boss mode. This plan is perfect for writers, freelancers, content marketers, etc.
- Pricing: Starts at $59 per month to create up to 50K words and goes up to $600 per month to generate up to 700K words per month.
- Features include: 50+ AI templates, creating content in 20+ languages, adding up to 5 users
- Best for: Writers who want to create long-form content such as blog posts, essays, product reviews, novels, stories, etc.
Jasper also gives a 5-day FREE trial which you can grab using the following link.
Read our Jasper free trial post to find more details.
In case you’re wondering, Jasper AI gives a 5-day refund policy. So if you’re not happy with the features or the content it generates, you can get a full refund within 5 days of the purchase.
3. Build a writing routine
One of the best ways to overcome writer’s block is to establish a writing routine. When you have a set time and place for writing, it can be easier to get started.
Additionally, setting some simple rules such as taking a break after every hour of writing – can help to keep you focused and prevent you from getting stuck while writing.
Of course, routines will vary from person to person, so it’s important to find what works for you. Maybe you prefer to write first thing in the morning, or maybe you find that late-night sessions are more productive.
The key here is to find your writing routine. Experiment until you find a routine that helps you make the most of your time.
So if you’re struggling with writer’s block, try creating a simple writing routine as it can definitely help to get the words flowing again.
4. Use the Pomodoro technique
Most people (including top-class marketers) use a time management technique called “The Pomodoro technique” to work in small chunks.
Why? When you work in small intervals, your productivity will skyrocket.
The Pomodoro technique helps you break down your writing work into intervals, usually 25 minutes in length, separated by short breaks.
The goal is to minimize distractions and maximize focus during work periods to complete tasks more efficiently. After every fourth Pomodoro, there is a longer break, typically 15-30 minutes.
In case you’re curious, here’s how the Pomodoro technique works.
To get started with the Pomodoro technique, find a timer and set it for 25 minutes.
Work on the task until the timer goes off, then take a short break (5 minutes or less).
Repeat this cycle four times, then take a longer break (15-30 minutes) before starting the cycle again.
Quick note: You can use a physical timer or an online one, such as the Tomato Pomodoro Timer website to use this technique.
The Pomodoro technique works like a charm, especially if you’re struggling with procrastination as it helps you prevent burnout by taking regular breaks while writing.
Once you get into the rhythm of working for 25 minutes and then taking a small 5-minute break, you’ll be surprised at how much you can write in one go. In case you find yourself getting distracted, just remember that there’s always another Pomodoro cycle around the corner.
5. Read
You sit down to start writing and nothing comes. Have you ever faced the situation? If yes, you probably need to read A LOT.
One of the most effective ways to cure writer’s block is to read. Read as much as you can.
You can read the work of ANYONE including your favorite writer or someone new. Reading helps you come up with NEW ideas.
Try reading something in the genre you want to write. Not only will this help to get your mind thinking in the right direction, but it will also show you what’s been done before and what’s currently trending.
With a little effort, you’ll be writing again in no time.
6. Talk to someone
Try talking to someone else about your project.
It can be anyone including your friends, relatives, colleagues, or your own family.
Hearing another person’s perspective can give you the FRESH perspective that you need to move forward.
Trying to force yourself to write can often make the situation worse, so it’s important to take a step back and relax.
Talking to a friend or colleague can help you to brainstorm new ideas, or simply provide a listening ear. Sometimes all you need is someone to talk to in order to jumpstart the writing process again.
So if you’re struggling to write effortlessly, it can be helpful to talk to someone about your ideas, and don’t be afraid to reach out for help if you’re struggling with writer’s block.
7. Take a break
If nothing else works, take a break from writing.
If you’ve tried all the above things and your mind is still blank and you have no idea what to write next – you NEED a break from work.
If you’re feeling stuck and can’t seem to write properly, it might be time to take a break from writing. Sometimes the best way to get unstuck is to step away from your work for a while.
Go for a walk, take a week-long vacation to your favorite place, read a book, or watch a movie. Sometimes all you need is a change of scenery or environment to jump-start your creativity.
Once you’ve taken some time away from writing, you may find that your ideas start to flow more freely. It doesn’t matter what you do, as long as you give your mind a chance to relax.
You might be surprised at the ideas that come to you when you’re not trying too hard. So take a break!
What causes writer’s block? Common Reasons
So far we discussed the best ways to get rid of writer’s block. Let’s now talk about the causes of writer’s block because it’s important to know the ROOT problem for anything.
Here are some of the most common reasons you’re facing writer’s block (along with the fixes).
- You either have too many or too few ideas. The key here is to have enough ideas to start immediately writing.
- You procrastinate a lot. You can try the Pomodoro technique and write in small intervals as it works like a charm.
- You’re afraid of what people will think of you. Get over the fear of writing. It’s okay to write mediocre stuff. You’re not William Shakespeare. Write first, fear later.
- You don’t have a writing routine. Set a routine. Experiment until you find what time works best for you.
- You’re going through some difficult situations in life or at work. The cure? It’s okay to be depressed and feel low when you go through shit. Take a break and come back stronger.
- You can’t handle rejection. Embrace failure. Write more. Publish more. Start a blog. Write on Quora. Keep writing 500 words every single day.
- You’re burned out probably because you write A LOT. Talk to your friends. Go on a week-long vacation. Read your favorite stories or novels.
- You’re often distracted while writing online. Try distraction-free writing tools like OmmWriter to focus on just writing. OmmWriter opens up in full-screen mode, so nothing distracts you while writing.
Remember, the ONLY cure to writer’s block is to write. So the faster you start writing (even if it is bullshit), the faster you get over writer’s block. It’s as simple as that.
It’s also a good idea to create a “DND (Do Not Disturb)” zone while writing. Tell others when you’re in DND mode so you can focus only on writing.
FAQs | How to get rid of writer’s block?
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about writer’s block and how to cure writer’s block in general.
What is writer’s block?
Writer’s block is the condition of being “stuck” in your writing. Most writers including expert writers often struggle with writer’s block. No matter how hard you try, you can’t put any words onto the page. This is a common phenomenon most people face while writing.
Is writer’s block common?
Yes, most writers struggle with writer’s block. It can occur often when you least expect it. Taking a break, writing without looking for perfection, and reading the work of prolific writers often can help you get over a writing block.
What writing tools do writers use?
Here are some of the writing tools most writers use while writing online;
– Google Docs
– Grammarly (for sentence correction and grammar checking)
– MS Word
– Evernote (for storing ideas)
Are there any tools to overcome writer’s block?
Yes, you can try AI writing tools as they help you generate content automatically based on the input you provide. Here are a few tools you can try;
– Jasper AI
– CopyAI
– Rytr
How to cure writer’s block?
Here are some of the best ways to cure writer’s block;
– Write as much as you can without looking for perfection
– Use AI writing tools like Jasper
– Take a break from writing for a couple of days (if nothing works)
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Final thoughts on how to get over writer’s block
Anyone who has ever tried to write something, whether it be a blog post, novel, short story, or even just an essay, knows the frustration of writer’s block.
Remember that it’s a COMMON thing. Try to implement the tips mentioned in this post and you’ll be back to your writing mode soon.
So what do you think about writer’s block? Did you find our guide on curing writer’s block helpful? Have any questions or tips? Let us know in the comments.
