How to Overcome Writer's Block

What is writer's block anyways? Well, to me, it doesn't really exist. It's just yourself. But to some people, it's serious.

There are many symptoms of writer's block, too many to list. You may loose your imaginative ideas, creativity, and other key points in you that make you a good writer.

When that happens, it means you've spent too much time writing and not doing other things writers need. Writers are writers, so why do they need to do other things? Simple. Writers need to read other books and draw inspiration from them. Not copy them, of course, but draw inspiration. Good ideas are contagious, and can lead you back to forming your own ideas.

Another way to steal back your inspiration is to do a sport. Running works, and I have used that method for as long as I can remember. Hiking is great too, be sure to take lots of pictures on your next climb!

Gardening also works, basically anything with nature, if you know what I mean. Take a walk in your local park or explore forest trails in your town/city.

Inspiration is the greatest, most feared enemy of writer's block. And because of that, inspiration only comes when it's time. It will come naturally, and if you really, really need to punch writer's block in the face, you'll really just have to hang in there. The methods above are also great, and I know people who used them and recovered immediately.

It's different for each individual, and if this is happening after your first draft, you have to leave it for a while. Meaning, you have to ignore your story for three months. Then when you get back to it, you'll find the story fresh and new again, also meaning you'll find the great parts, and the not-so-great parts. It gives you an opportunity to edit and revise parts you don't like, and ultimately, destroys writer's block.

If writing your story blocked you out from your friends, family, active life, etc, then now's your chance to connect with them again. Overcoming writer's block isn't always facing it head-on, but tiptoeing around it, and surprising it from behind. Connecting with your friends and family is important, and in the meantime, try not to write at all!

Instead, spend more time doing things you've never done, and things you haven't done in a while that you might have neglected when you began writing. 

In the end, it all comes done to this: writer's block is just a sign that tells you to look at your surroundings. Connect with your old life, photograph things, garden, that kind of thing. If you need help with your writer's block, feel free to contact me! Speaking of which, it's always great to connect with other writers ;)

- Ashlyn, Aspiring Author of Today