Writer’s block is a frustrating and debilitating experience for any writer. It can strike any time, leaving you staring at a blank screen, unable to produce a single word. And for me, it happens once or twice a week, sometimes when I least expect it. Though I structure my day to make sure I can write when my mind and body feel the most creative, sometimes I need to change things to get the words flowing. And over the years, I’ve learned some tricks and stolen some others. 

So if you’re a copywriter or blogger and the words aren’t flowing, try one or more of these tricks to change it up. Who knows, these tips might work so well that the outcome is better than what it would have been in the first place!

Tried-and-True Tricks to Get Over Writer’s Block and Get That Proverbial Pen to Paper

If you’re facing a list of deliverables and deadlines, but the words just won’t come, don’t worry. First, it happens to all of us. But if it happens to you, the chances are that it doesn’t make you feel better that you aren’t alone. 

Thankfully, there are ways to combat writer’s block and get the words flowing again. In this article, I’ve shared the tips I’ve learned.

1. Freewriting

Start writing whatever comes to mind without worrying about structure or grammar. This exercise can help to break through mental barriers and jump-start the creative process. So either grab that notebook and pen or open a new Google Doc on your laptop. And just write. It doesn’t matter what you write about. You can write your grocery list for all that matters. The goal here is to get words out of your brain.

2. Change Up Your Environment

Like many remote workers, I have a dedicated home office. And I probably do 80% of my writing at the comfort of my desk, or curled up on the daybed that’s in the back of the room. But sometimes, I need to change things up. For example, right now, I’m cozied up under a blanket, balancing my laptop on my lap, lounging on the living room couch. And that’s okay! Sometimes, a change of scenery can do wonders for your creativity. Take your writing outside, to a coffee shop, or a different room in your home.

3. Set a Timer

Recently, I saw a news story about Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo, America’s beloved storyteller and the author of childhood classics such as Because of Winn-Dixie and The Tale of Despereaux. In her interview, she mentioned how she gets up at 4:30 AM and makes herself write two pages before she gets her day going. And it works!

Now for me, it would take an act of Mother Nature to get me out of bed at 4:30 AM. I’m more of a 9 AM type of gal. But you have to admit that she’s onto something. So, whether you tell yourself to write a certain number of words or pages or you set a timer to write for 30 minutes or three hours, it can help give yourself a limited amount of time to write. This can help to increase focus and productivity and may help to combat those overwhelming feelings.

4. Read

Take a break from writing and read something that inspires you. This could be a book, article, or blog post. Reading can stimulate new ideas and get the imagination and creative juices flowing. And as an avid book lover, the very act of reading has been dying off in recent years due to the growing influence of electronic and social media. For writers, however, reading, even just a few pages when you need to clear your head fog, can help stimulate that content that seemed so far away just a few minutes ago. 

5. Brainstorm

Create a list of ideas, phrases, or topics related to your writing project. This exercise can help to generate new ideas and overcome writer’s block. But nowadays, you can use unique tools to help you develop those ideas. Have you tried ChatGPT? While my personal jury is still out on the efficacy of using ChatGPT for blog content, one thing is for sure; it’s an excellent tool for helping me come up with content outlines, blog topics, and even SEO headers. I implore you; if you need ideas, give it a try. 

P.S. I’ll talk about this again later in this article.

6. Exercise

One of the best things that happened when I decided to become a full-time freelance copywriter was that I no longer had an excuse not to work out. And it’s not like I don’t like exercising. I love it! And I know how important it is for my mind and body. But between driving to the office one hour each way or running all the errands I need to do to keep up with my standard of living (you know, hair, nails, and all that jazz), sometimes I just “ran out of time.” However, my day starts with a workout, whether I’m up at 7 AM (rare) or 9:30 AM (more likely). And it seems to prime the pump!

After my morning coffee, workout, and shower, I have found that my stress level is diminished, and my brain is ready. And I implore you to try it too whether it is to clear that writer’s block or just to claim a healthier lifestyle. Take a walk, do some yoga, or hit the gym to get your blood pumping and your mind focused.

7. Talk it Out

Sometimes, talking about your ideas with someone else helps clarify your thoughts and generate new ideas. Find a friend, family member, or colleague willing to listen and offer feedback. My husband asks me what I am writing about each day. He knows the topics I tend to get hired for most (consumer finance and dentistry… a weird combination, I know). But I also know I can bounce topics off of him, too, if I get hired for something different than usual.

8. Take a Break

If you’re feeling stuck, take a break from writing altogether. Do something you enjoy, like watching a movie, cooking a meal, or playing with your pets. This can help to refresh your mind and improve your mood. I like to spend time with my husband and step-daughter or call one of my older kids to see how their day is going. Other times, I run errands to get myself out of the house. When I return, I feel refreshed and ready to write.

9. Use Writing Prompts

Writing prompts are a great way to generate new ideas and get the creative juices flowing. A writing prompt is a specific topic or idea that’s provided to help stimulate your creativity and generate new ideas. Writing prompts can be a single word, a phrase, a sentence, or a short paragraph. They can be related to your writing project or completely unrelated.

Here are a couple of examples of writing prompts, and yes, these were generated for me by ChatGPT:

• Write about a character who can talk to animals. What happens when they discover a secret that could save the forest from destruction?
• Write a story that begins with the sentence: “The old house on the hill had been abandoned for years, but one day, the lights turned on.”

10. Write Badly

Permit yourself to write badly. And when I talk about permitting yourself to “write badly,” I mean allowing yourself to write without worrying about perfection or getting everything right. This can help you overcome writer’s block and get your ideas flowing, even if your initial writing is rough or unpolished. Here are some rules of the road for writing poorly.

• Don’t worry about grammar or spelling. Instead of obsessing over every sentence, just write freely without stopping to fix any mistakes. You can always go back and edit later. IGNORE those Grammarly prompts.
• Write in fragments. Sometimes, jotting down a few words or phrases can be enough to get the creative juices flowing. You don’t need to worry about constructing complete sentences or paragraphs at this stage.
• Use cliches and familiar phrases. Even if your writing feels unoriginal, getting your ideas down on paper 
• is better than letting perfectionism hold you back. You can always come back later and replace cliches with more creative language.
• Write in a stream-of-consciousness style. This means letting your thoughts and ideas flow freely onto the screen (or page), without worrying about structure or coherence. This can be a great way to get unstuck and generate new ideas.

Remember, the goal of permitting yourself to “write badly” is not to produce bad writing but to allow yourself to write without the pressure of perfectionism. By embracing imperfection and focusing on the act of writing, your ideas start to flow more freely, leading to better writing in the long run.

Try My Tips to Combat Writer’s Block and Unleash Your Writing Creativity 

By incorporating these tips into your writing routine, you can overcome writer’s block and start producing high-quality content again. Remember, writer’s block is a temporary setback; you can get back to writing confidently with patience and persistence.

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