Is Writer’s Block Real?

Dear Maggie,

Do you ever get writer’s block? Is that a real thing? If yes, how do you work past it?

Sincerely,

Stuck in St. Pete

Dear Stuck,

Oh, what a good question! Now that I’m in school, and we are racing from one project to another, my creative brain is functioning in high gear, like, all the time. I find that when I’m drafting a novel or short story, that’s the time when all the new ideas flow. I think it’s because I’m in the zone, if you know what I mean? But your question is about writer’s block, and I think this might mean different things to different people, and it might show up differently during different parts of the writing process.

Here’s an excerpt from a blog a wrote a while ago for Inkitt that I think covers all my thoughts on writer’s block, and offers my best tips to break it. Hope this helps!

I used to think “writer’s block” meant that a writer had run out of ideas, and I would scoff at the notion, because honestly, I’m full of great ideas! But I’ve come to learn it can mean something a little different.

If a writer says they’ve never stared at their computer screen in utter panic because suddenly a plot feels stale, or they’ve written their characters into a tangle and can’t extricate them, or the brilliant twist at the end simply doesn’t work, then they haven’t been writing for long enough! My experience with writer’s block has never been lack of story ideas, it’s been dealing with those moments when I feel like I’ve lost my way. The first time this happened to me I thought, “I really have no idea what I’m doing. I’m just posing as a writer. This book is going to be an utter failure, if I ever finish it all.”

Every writer knows the feeling, I promise. But once you’ve faced the dreaded block, and come out on the other side, you’ll realize you do have the skills to break through. And most likely, your story is better for it. Here are some things to try when you’re feeling stuck.

Write anyway. Keep to your schedule, even if it turns out that any writing you do has to be tossed the next day. I often find the more I write, the more the ideas flow. Except when they don’t.

So, take a break. This is the exact opposite of my first suggestion, but sometimes it really is necessary to step away and gain some perspective. Maybe you’ll only need a walk to clear your head. But maybe you need a real break from the pressure of a daily word count goal. Stay focused on your story, but use your writing time to brainstorm instead. Keep a notebook with you and capture the ideas when they come.

Go somewhere that inspires you. I’d once committed to writing a short story for an anthology - the prompts were an old photograph from the 1800s, an event, and a name. It was a speculative fiction collection, and I immediately wanted to write a ghost story. I had a great story idea, as usual, but unfortunately, very little substance to go with it. With the deadline fast approaching, I started to panic. During a weekend getaway, I had the chance to visit an old New England village, well preserved and complete with actors in period dress. Strolling up creaky old stairs and surrounded by real artifacts from the nineteenth century, I allowed my imagination to flow, and the pieces of my story finally fell into place.

Talk it through with another writer. Sometimes, when you talk about it, you realize your story is more well-developed than you thought. Brainstorming with a creative friend or family member helps me see things from a fresh perspective.

If there’s a scene that excites me, I write it, even if it’s out of order. Usually, I have some very clear, pivotal scenes worked out in my mind, but they aren’t happening in the book for a while yet. If focusing on one of those scenes gets the words flowing and reminds me that writing is fun, I go for it.

As a writer, I love the days when my ideas flow and my words seem inspired. I feel competent and confident. But when I’m stuck, and can’t see my way to the next word, never mind the end of the chapter, it helps to have a toolbox of tricks!

Thanks for reaching out! If you have a question for me, send it to maggie@msmaggieclare.com, and I’ll answer it here on the blog.