Christina Kaye (Indie Author Coach, Book Editor, and Self-Publishing Expert) wrote this article.
You sit down to write… and nothing comes out.
The cursor blinks. Your coffee gets cold. The brilliant idea you had yesterday? Gone.
If you’ve ever stared at a blank page wondering if your creativity has left the building, you’re not alone.
Writer’s block hits every author—whether you’re writing your first novel or your fifteenth.
In this post, I’ll tell you exactly what causes writer’s block, how to overcome it, and simple strategies you can use to avoid it altogether in the future.
Table of Contents
- What is Writer’s Block (and What Causes It)?
- How to Overcome Writer’s Block
- How to Avoid Writer’s Block in the Future
What is Writer’s Block (and What Causes It)?
Writer’s block is that maddening moment (or… month) when the words just won’t come.
You sit down, crack your knuckles, open your laptop, maybe even light a candle and play your “I’m-a-serious-writer” playlist—and then… nothing.
The cursor blinks like it’s judging you.
You suddenly remember you need to clean your fridge.
Or alphabetize your bookshelves.
Or contemplate your life choices.
Writer’s block has nothing to do with being “lazy” or “unmotivated.”
In reality, it’s often your brain waving a little white flag, saying, “Help! I’m overwhelmed, under-inspired, and/or way too deep in my own head!”
And you’re certainly not alone because every writer hits that wall at some point (in fact, some of us have a VIP punch card for that wall).
Here are some of the most common culprits behind writer’s block.
(Spoiler Alert! Most of them aren’t about writing at all.)
Self-Doubt – You know what this is…that little voice whispering, “This is terrible! You’re not a real writer, so why are you even doing this?” Yeah, that’s what I call your inner troll, and it can shut down your creativity fast.
Lack of Direction – Truth bomb moment…this happens when you try to dive headfirst into your manuscript with no real plan or outline. Your brain is spinning its wheels because it doesn’t know which way to go. Don’t let your stubborn “pantser” self get in your own way.
Overwhelm and Burnout – Creative writing is an enjoyable endeavor, but it also takes time, focus, and energy. If you’re trying to do too much at once or trying to “push through” blocks, your creative genius has pooped out, and it needs to recharge.
Perfectionism – No one is perfect, so trying to write the perfect first draft is like trying to run a marathon in heels…painful and altogether unnecessary. If you’re editing every sentence as you go, and trying to sound like Hawthorne, King, or Atwood, no wonder the words won’t flow.
Fear of Failure (or Success!) – Let’s be real. Writing is a deeply personal and intimate process, and it’s no wonder so many authors get all in their “feels” when hearing any kind of constructive feedback. It feels like we’re being personally attacked because these are our words we pulled from the deepest parts of our psyche. And worrying about what readers will think about your book can be paralyzing.
How to Overcome Writer’s Block
Now that we’ve called out writer’s block for the annoying little gremlin it is, let’s talk about how to kick it to the curb.
The good news is, you don’t have to wait for the “muse” to show up (she’s notoriously flaky anyway).
Here are some practical ways to bust through writer’s block even if you feel like your creativity has packed a bag and left town for good.
Remember Your WHY – Remember that moment, however long ago, when you decided to take this whole author thing for a spin? I guarantee if you think back on it, you’ll even start to feel those same feels that washed over you back then that made you pick up the proverbial pen. Remind yourself why you wanted to write stories in the first place.
Free Writing – Set a timer for 10 minutes. Now…write. Anything. Everything. Absolute garbage. Stream-of-consciousness nonsense. A letter to your characters. A scene you’ll delete later. It doesn’t have to be “good.” It just has to…be.
Practice Tiny Habits – Instead of “write 2,000 words today,” try “write one paragraph.” Or even just, “write a sentence.” The smaller the goal, the lower the resistance. And let’s be real—once you write one sentence, you’ll probably write another. And then another. And then suddenly you’re back in the flow.
Phone a Friend – Sometimes your brain just needs to hear the story out loud. Contact an author friend and share your struggle and where exactly you’re stuck. Talking helps you process and often reveals the exact solution you’ve been missing. And even if none of their specific thoughts are helpful, you never know when one tiny idea will spark massive inspiration!
It’s important to understand that none of these tricks are magic spells (although that would be amazing), but together, they can help you outsmart the block, get unstuck, and—most importantly—get back to writing.
How to Avoid Writer’s Block in the Future
You finally made it through the infamous Block, and you even know now what causes it and how to spot the signs.
But wouldn’t it be amazing if you could sidestep writer’s block altogether in the future?
What if I told you that I haven’t experienced a full-on block in over a decade and that my clients (if they take my advice) have also banished this dreadful creativity killer for good!
It’s entirely true!
While everyone, myself included gets stuck on a word, a line, or a scene from time to time, I’m about to share with you the be-all, end-all solution to your writer’s block conundrum, so that when (not if) you find yourself drumming your fingers on the desktop as you try to snatch that illusive thought again in the future, you can stop it from turning into an actual Block!
Surround Yourself with Inspiration – If you are writing at your kitchen table or on the sofa, well, there’s one of your issues right there. You’re exposed to way too many possible distractions, and you’re not getting yourself “in the zone.” Instead, find a tiny corner of your house (if not a full room), where you can shut out the world, and call this your writing nook. Surround yourself with genre fitting décor, inspirational posters and wall art, and even aromatherapy. I promise, your environment will make all the difference.
Build a Writing Routine – Create a writing schedule that is both manageable and productive, and do your best to stick to it, while giving yourself grace to miss the occasional jam session because, you know…life. I help my clients set this up, and the key is to schedule 5 or 6 days each week to write and take one day off. Then, decide on the best two-hour window on those days, and block these times off on an actual calendar or planner. Be sure to check out the Resources List below!
Don’t be a Pantser (or a Plotter) – Both of these options are too extreme, as you’re either going to wind up losing steam, inspiration, and motivation, not to mention risking too many missed issues with your story (pantsers), or you’re going to waste a ridiculous amount of time trying to plan out every single beat of your story when you could have written the damn book already (plotters). Instead, spend one week before each writing cycle, and divide up your days and times between character development, worldbuilding/setting, and writing a simple yet game changing chapter outline. Again, don’t skip the Resources List below.
Find Your Tribe – Writing can feel like a solo endeavor, but it doesn’t have to be. There are countless communities for writers in so many different formats, both online and in-person. I guarantee there’s a space that will be perfect for you. So go find it! And be sure you participate regularly (without rabbit holing) and give at least as much as you take. Sometimes, just knowing someone else is in the writing trenches with you makes all the difference.
Conclusion (Wrapping it Up and What to Do Next)
Writer’s Block is a time-sucking creativity killer, but it doesn’t have to control your writing life or push you off-course on your author journey.
Now that you know what causes it, how to bust through it, and how to keep it from coming back, you’re already one step ahead of the game.
And hey!
Most importantly, I want you to remember, you don’t have to do this alone.
Whether are looking for professional and experienced help polishing your manuscript and turning it into a bestseller, or you are looking for an expert to guide you through successfully self-publishing it, there are two powerful and proven ways I can help you…just as I have for hundreds of authors (and counting)!
Write! Publish! Profit! – my signature program designed to help indie authors and entrepreneurs like you finally finish your book, turn it into a page-turner readers can’t put down, and launch it into the world like a pro…all without the confusion, expensive tools, overwhelm, or guesswork.
Polish & Perfect! – my professional editing services, where I use my nearly 20 years of experience and provide you with the absolute best in the industry, highly skilled editing, and help you convert your manuscript pages into a perfectly publishable book!
Now, be sure to bookmark this article, so you can find it easily in the future, and be sure to drop a comment below if you have any questions or comments for me, and be sure to thank Lisa for hosting this article!
Lisa, THANK YOU for posting this on your site! It’s a privilege having you as a friend and colleague!