Writer’s Block? Try These 7 Secret Strategies

by | creative writing

The cure for writer’s block is HERE – and all you need is a small notepad like the one in the video! If you’ve ever wondered how to shift into the creative part of your brain so you can write, this video is for you.

Everyone says the hardest part of writing is getting through a draft. I’m here to tell you your writing process will be MUCH easier if you have bits and pieces to write down. That way, you can start writing into them instead of starting with a blank page. This is a more impressionistic way of working and can take some getting used to, but I promise what comes up from your subconscious is powerful stuff that you can’t “think” your way to from the logical part of your brain.

Listen in if writer’s block is rearing its ugly head, preventing you from writing the stories you want to write.

 

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • 7 secret strategies to get over your writer’s block.
  • How to be a more productive writer, doing less.
  • Easy techniques to tap into your creativity.
  • Why it’s important to pay attention to your dreams. 
  • How to activate your subconscious for creativity. 
  • Why being mindful pays.
  • How to ALWAYS have bits and pieces ready to into when your muse visits.

Resources Featured In This Episode To Overcome Writer’s Block:

 

Your key takeaways from ‘Writer’s Block? Try these 7 Secret Strategies.

 

If you think the hardest part of writing is getting through a draft, think again. To cure your writer’s block you need to shift into the creative part of your brain. And sometimes that’s as easy as carrying a small notepad with you wherever you go. 

And if you’re just starting to figure out your own creative process, here’s rule number one: you have to TRUST it. The key is to stay open and receptive.

Because I’m so busy and easily distracted, I keep a notepad with me in my car and purse to catch fragments of inspiration when they pop into my head – ideas, a phrase, an image… Without my notebook, I’d forget to write these story fragments down. 

If you’ve ever witnessed how a medium works the process is very similar. They receive information in fragments, symbols they have to decode, and images that they know are meaningful but need time to understand.

Everyone says the hardest part of writing is getting through a draft, but if you have bits and pieces to write down it’s MUCH easier to start writing into them than to start with a blank page. 

This is a more impressionistic way of working and can take some getting used to, but I promise what comes up from your subconscious is powerful stuff you can’t “think” your way too from the logical part of your brain.

Alright, here are 7 ways to help you make the shift into your creative brain and get over writer’s block.

 

  1. Meditate – you don’t have to have regular practice to benefit from moments of mindfulness. I sometimes practice mindfulness while I’m writing by closing my eyes, taking a breath, getting still, and seeing what comes up. You can do this before you start writing, and after every sentence.
  2. Engage with art – Your subconscious loves images, symbols, colour, metaphor, and melody. Relax and listen to music. Headphones are a great way to immerse yourself by eliminating other distractions. Visiting an art gallery or picking up a book of paintings is another way to fill the well and maybe find the inspiration you can bring into your writing.
  3. Pay attention to your dreams – Your dreams contain so much information in them. They speak in the language of symbol and metaphor – just like powerful writing. Writing down your dreams can nurture trust in your subconscious. Like any skill or muscle, the more you use it, the stronger and more reliably it will help you.
  4. Go for a walk – There’s something about movement that seems to “move along” the creative process. Walking, like driving, shifts you into that automatic state where you’re free to daydream. Observe what’s around you and bring your notebook on walks so you can jot down anything you encounter that might work for your story. I’ve come across perfect, highly original metaphors just by keeping my eyes open and noting what I see.
  5. Spend time in nature – Think of a place where you feel relaxed and happy – a local community garden, your favourite beach, or a quiet forest. Find a spot to sit and stay awhile, giving your surroundings your full attention and awareness. Take a break from your busy life and active mind so it has space to be receptive.
  6. Stay open to chance – Everyday life is filled with moments that might inspire you. So keep your antenna up for interesting conversations at the coffee shop, a strange animal turning up in your yard, or the song that came on the radio. All the stuff of everyday life, if you stay open, is material that might find its way into your story.
  7. Use your hands – I find that cooking, chopping vegetables, and making crafts get me into the zone where I can daydream about a project while being productive another way at the same time.

I can’t wait to hear which of these methods you’ll try FIRST, so let me know in the comments.

 

Ready to write powerful stories with 1:1 feedback on your work? Get on the waitlist for the Spark Your Story Intensive!

 

I want in!