10 Strategies to Overcome Writer’s Block

“Hey Oscar, I need a technique to write. Maybe an exercise? Any ideas? Anything I have to write, whether it’s a paragraph or a couple of pages, I run into writer’s block, and I take forever. I really need some help.” 

One of my clients recently reached out for advice on how to get past his writer’s block. He’s working on his Ph.D. dissertation and keeps coming up against these walls he struggles to climb over. 

A student trying to get started on an assignment. A manager trying to finish an email to their staff. A blogger trying to put their final touches on their post. 

Writer’s block can always get in the way. 

Defining Writer’s Block

Writer’s block is a type of slump you can experience that makes it harder for you to come up with content to write. You could be starting at a blank page or trying to come up with the perfect ending when you hit a wall. You don’t know what to write or what to do. 

Everybody Hits a Block

There’s nothing wrong with you. It doesn’t matter if you are an occasional or professional writer, writer’s block can hit you the same. The secret isn’t about avoiding writer’s block but about having strategies to overcome it when it hits.

I know that finishing his Ph.D. dissertation will be a huge accomplishment for my client. That’s probably why he keeps facing writer’s block. It can happen more regularly when the stakes are high. 

Overcoming Writer’s Block

Here are 10 strategies I use to overcome writer’s block whenever it hits me.

1. Take a break and do something else. Give your brain a break by engaging in other activities. This break can open up creative processes within your brain.
2. Jot down some notes right before bed. You can let your subconscious brain do a lot of the processing work for you. You’ll be surprised at how often you’ll wake up and be inspired to write. 
3. Get your blood flowing. Your brain is like any other organ that requires blood flow to function. Even a short walk can help jumpstart your thinking. 
4. Write somewhere else. Humans are creatures of habit. Sometimes, the locations we’re in can encourage those habits (not all of them good ones). If you find yourself hitting writer’s block every time you write at home, try doing it at a coffee shop. 
5. Dump anything on the page. Don’t worry about getting it right the first time. Focus on getting something on the page. Sometimes it’s easier to edit than it is to write original content. 
6. Use the dictate feature on Microsoft Word. Talk out your thoughts, and the dictate feature automatically transcribes them. (I prefer Word’s dictate feature to Apple’s.)
7. Use Copy.ai to get a head start. Copy.ai (and other programs like it) is an AI copywriting software. You can write down some ideas, and then it’ll create new content for you.  
8. Start with questions. Think about what questions you are answering for whatever you need to write. Write down those questions and then answer them. It can be easier to answer questions than to simply write.
9. Talk things out with somebody. Sometimes it can be hard to process ideas on your own. Talking things through with somebody can help you come up with good content.
10. Leverage content that’s already out there. People create blog posts, articles, books, podcasts, and videos about anything these days. Go through other people’s content to get some inspiration.

(The content of this post was written and posted with my client’s permission.)