What Is Writer’s Block, and What Does It Do?

Writer’s block is defined as a usually temporary condition in which a writer finds it impossible to proceed with the writing of a novel, play, or other work.

When this ugly malady strikes, part of your mind becomes an empty page. How do you fill that page with words and ideas? Consider the following three points.

• Writer’s block should never be an excuse for procrastination.
• Your condition is temporary.
• There is a cure.

Sometimes the Best Approach Is to Redirect Your Focus

Have you ever tried to remember the name of someone you met a few months ago? It’s buried somewhere, but no matter how much you dig with that mental shovel, you can’t unearth it. You give up and think about something else, and as if by magic, the name materializes.

Use the same approach with your writing. Indulge in a short break. Note the emphasis on short. Whatever activity you choose, take a notebook along, because you might suddenly find your head brimming with ideas.

Try some of the following suggestions to exercise different areas of your brain and stimulate your creativity.

1. Take a hot shower.
2. Listen to music.
3. Watch a TV show or movie.
4. Talk to a friend.
5. Discuss your dilemma with other authors. (Not for too long, though. This shouldn’t become a social media procrastination session.)
6. Meditate or perform a few Yoga poses. Relaxation is often the forerunner of inspiration.
7. Engage in physical activity: Go for a walk, climb a few stairs, work out at the gym, or do a few chores.
8. Juggle. In addition to the temporary mental break, research shows that people who know how to juggle have more gray matter than those who don’t.
9. Watch people in the mall. Eavesdrop on their conversations; observe what they’re wearing; pay attention to their hairstyles.
10. Memorize a few telephone numbers or a short poem.
11. Turn off your smartphone, eliminate all distractions, and daydream while you sit in a chair.
12. Listen to a foreign-language audio lesson.
13. Read a book.
14. Write a blog post.
15. Spend half an hour online searching for images related to the subject matter of your book.
16. Compose a song or a poem.
17. Write a short story about an unrelated topic.
18. Work on a crossword puzzle. Sometimes all it takes is a single word to spur your creativity.
19. Write the last chapter of your book. Once you know where it ends, some of the transitional details may crystallize.
20. Revise an intermediate chapter. The revision process often stimulates new ideas.
21. Try aromatherapy. Essential oils reputed to reduce stress or stimulate creativity include basil, bergamot, cardamom, cypress, eucalyptus, frankincense, geranium, ginger, grapefruit, jasmine, lemongrass, orange, patchouli, peppermint, and rosemary
22. Spend a few minutes solving Sudoku puzzles. This will exercise your brain and give you a sense of accomplishment.
23. Don’t worry. Embrace your writer’s block and realize it’s part of the creative process. Sometimes the best eureka moments are the result of a restart after a short stall in your progress.

Closely related to this post: Struggling to Find Ideas for Your Plot? Don’t Stress about It.