I used to throw this sentence around all the time when I stalled on completing my novel. I suspect that for many, including myself, writer’s block is just another way for the subconscious to procrastinate. I would have never completed my novel had I bought into the idea that I can succumb to what can be described as a lost muse. If you go out and read writing advice from many bestselling authors, you will usually see them say that when you’re on a deadline, this phenomenon can’t exist.
Here are the ways to overcome writer’s block. Maybe they can help you.
Write from a different point of view
My novel, Gallery of Lies, is written in first-person from the one character’s point of view. When I hit a wall, I write from another. These chapters may not end up in the novel, but that trick is guaranteed to get the creative juices flowing enough to get me back to writing the main story. Plus, you end up with material to give away for bonus chapters or even another book.
Write on a subplot
To get myself unstuck on a story or if I’m unsure about what should happen next in the story, I work on a subplot. Again, these scenes may or may not end up in the final draft, but it helps to keep the writing party going.
Write music lyrics
I often listen to some of my favorite R&B artists when I can’t conjure any prose. I queue up some Maxwell or Jill Scott and type out the lyrics to the songs. You’d be surprised how the mood of the music gets the words to flowing for my story. Just remember that if you use this tip, don’t leave those song lyrics in your work unless you get written permission from the artist. Nobody is trying to get sued.
Use a writing prompt
I don’t use prompts that often, they can be useful. If you search Pinterest for writing prompts, you’ll find hundreds of them. The purpose of the prompt is to take a random statement or question and write something based on it. In my case, just reading through the dozens of writing prompts sparks enough ideas to get me back to putting words on the page.
Change location
As simple as it sounds, sometimes I can write at home but most of the time I can’t. Leave the house and go to the library of a coffee shop. Yesterday, I wrote at the hot wing spot. It just might work for you.
Write something else entirely
If you hit a wall in your writing and none of these other things work, maybe it’s just time to take a break from that story and work on another entirely unrelated piece. If you blog, write a blog post or start on one of the other story ideas that you may have in your idea book. If you don’t have an idea book, here’s an opportunity to start one.
I hope this will help you get over writer’s block and if you are looking for other writing advice? Click here to get some FREE tips to get you started on your novel. While you’re here, you might as well sign up for my newsletter.
