How I Get Over Writer’s Block

My writing pace is fairly slow, but this isn't necessarily due to writer's block.

After a full day of work, I don't always have the creative energy for a solid writing session. With my chaotic writing style, I need a fresh mind to mentally work through my story. This thinking doesn’t happen sequentially or logically and can be somewhat stressful, because I don’t know if I have a story until I'm well into my writing project. Once I come up with the ideas, I'm flying. To read more about my writing style, see my blog post: What is My Writing Process?

When I have writer’s block, I employ a few different techniques to get over it.

My most common technique is that I try to stay in the fictional world through editing. Write, edit, write, edit, edit, write. My thoughts then kickstart into short writing stints.

Or I may be too immersed in my manuscript and can't figure out plot details. This usually happens in the later self-editing stages, and my eyes are glazing over the words. In this case, I step away from my manuscript and busy myself with other things like reading or a different work in progress. I revisit when I feel like I can view my work again with fresh eyes.

There is something to be said about neuroscience! Performing mundane or habitual tasks help me work through my writer's block. I have worked out story problems during a drive to work or in the shower. When ideas come in random places, when I can, I jot them down in my phone so I don’t forget. Neural networks solidify during sleep, so fussing over an issue the night before can result in clarity the next morning.

I hope to get to a point where the ideas flow more steadily. Hopefully time and more practice will help this happen.