Three Ways to Break Writers Block
By: James Jordan
Tags: Writers Block, Self, Writers Life, Ideas, Mindfulness

Three Ways to Break Writers Block

Look inward to find the sweet spot we need as writers

Photo by Javardh on Unsplash

You may not be able to flip a switch from dark to light, but you can nudge the grey.

Words flow effortlessly from the mind to the keyboard. Typing is automatic and the writing is like magic. Words and ideas come so fast it’s hard to keep up. A sip of coffee is barely noticed as the next hundred words roll on to the page. The keyboard feels like a finely tuned piano and you are playing songs you don’t know.

That is how writing is supposed to be. It should be fun, exciting, filled with discovery. When it’s like that you love being a writer.

But we writers know that is a fleeting state. It comes on its own and can leave just as fast. Where it comes from or where it goes we can only guess.

On the other side — the other extreme, it’s like pulling your own teeth. Words won’t even come out. Maybe a trickle at best. It’s not your best stuff. You know this and that makes you even more tired. Frustration sets in. The piano is not in tune and you can’t remember the song anyway.

Usually, it is somewhere between those two extremes. The more days we can have on the positive side of the spectrum the more fun we will have and the better our writing will be. After several decades of writing, I am realizing that I have a lot of control over which side of that street I am on. I can’t turn dark into light, but I can nudge those shades of grey.

There are times when your mind is taking a break whether you like it or not. But more often than not, we make those good and bad days happen ourselves.

But more often than not, we make those good and bad days happen ourselves.

Look inward

There are a lot of articles about how to be productive and have a wonderful life along the way. These articles are good and maybe it is worth trying what they suggest. At the same time realize that you are a unique individual and what works for others may not work for you.

Psychologists tell us that our subconscious knows a heck of a lot more than our conscious mind knows. Our sub-conscious knows what will work. The key then is to look inside yourself for answers about what will work for you.

The experts say we all have a unique writing voice and finding that is important on the road to being a good writer. I think many of the answers about how to write your best are also inside you waiting to be found.

Writer’s block may be nothing more than your subconscious mind telling you that you are doing it wrong.

Writer’s block may be nothing more than your subconscious mind telling you that you are doing it wrong.

Unsplash Photo. Frustration in writing could be your sub-consciousness trying to tell you something.

Listen to yourself

One way to find yourself is to listen to yourself. Your mind, body, and spirit all know what they need to flourish. They try to tell you but it is hard to hear at times with all the noise telling you what you should be doing or thinking.

A good psychologist or counselor does not give you answers. Instead, they help you find the answers that have been inside you all along.

Pay attention to your desires. Is there a time of day when you wish you were witing? Is there a time of day when you think of good ideas? If you can spot any pattern, that could be your sub-consciousness trying to get your attention.

Look at your results. When were you writing well? What were the conditions? Again, pay attention to any patterns you notice. Some people like a neat desk, others like it messy. Some like music, some like quiet. Don’t worry about how anyone else is doing it or what it is supposed to look like. There is a way that will work only for you. Your job is to find your unique path.

Try to remember the times and conditions when you did your best work when it was not planned. Realize the reality of cognitive bias. You may think you do your best work with some tea and a brown sweater, so you remember times things went well when you had those conditions. Is it because that really helps, or is it because you only had tea in the house? Questioning the answers is more about discovery than debunking answers. Always question the first answers to any question.

Unsplash Photo. I didn’t choose morning writing. It chose me.

I didn’t choose morning writing, it chose me.

My experience

I used to swear I was a night owl and wrote best late at night. Most of my writing was done then and some of it was good, so there was proof it was true. That was what almost all of my experience was. I had not seriously tried other times of the day. My “proof” was more cognitive bias than reality.

I went to work or an afternoon newspaper and by necessity had to write early in the morning. To my shock, I realized I do write more comfortably and at a higher quality early in the morning. I have fewer typing errors and the writing is effortless. Writing got much easier by simply changing the time of day.

I remembered back in college getting up early and cranking out a two or three-page paper that I had forgotten about. I always did really well on those papers that were not even proofread because I didn’t have time. My mind and body were telling me something then. I was not listening.

My mind and body were telling me something then. I was not listening.

As much as I hate to admit it, I am a morning person and a morning writer. It would not be my first choice, but it is the reality.

Finding what gives you joy as a writer will probably make you a better writer. Unsplash Photo

The takeaway — examine yourself

It is easy to get discouraged when the writing does not go well. It is especially irritating when you know you have written well in the past, but today it will not come. Try examining your past and look for honest answers. Watch out for cognitive bias by asking more questions. Try all the different things and pay attention to what works. Also, pay attention to what feels good. If you feel happier writing with a purple hat on, you will probably do better. It does not matter if no one else does what you do.

If you feel happier writing with a purple hat on, you will probably do better with that hat.

What works for me

After many years of writing for newspapers and other publications, I have realized what works for me.

I am a morning writer I need to write every day with rare days off. I do better with deadline pressure I get bored easily but thrive under pressure I like having all my research done before writing. I like a messy desk, everything within easy reach. I need something to drink while writing, does not matter what. I don’t do drafts, I edit as I go continuously.

What works for you? What have you found that helps you in your writing efforts?