Whenever one writer meets another in the wild, the age old question is sure to come up.

‘How do you get over your writer’s block?’ ‘How can you write so much? So fast?’

I’ve asked enough people to—well—compile a blog post it seems.

The biggest thing about writer’s block is that it’s theoretical. There is no definite right or wrong answer to the question. It’s almost a matter of opinion. Sometimes there’s a small habitual switch, or sometimes you’ve completely rearranged your routine. The human mind works in mysterious ways—and with over 8 billion minds on this Earth, there’s bound to be a lot of differences.

Not to mention other responsibilities in life. Maybe you started a new job or that final is due next week. Maybe you have kids or you’re finally taking that trip you’ve been saving for since college. Finding time in a sea of commitments can feel impossible.

---

If you’re feeling adventurous there are plenty of options. Your local bookstore, a quiet coffee shop, the public library, a nice park (best for our pen and paper lovers). Going somewhere new and experiencing fresh sights/sounds/smells can help pull your brain out of that repetitive cycle—which is one of the hardest obstacles we face.

Other times we want to stay inside, and that’s okay too. Sometimes I’ll go sit at the kitchen table or just curl up on the couch. Even changing things around on my desk can be enough. Anything new or fresh to look at might open a new door of inspiration.  

That cat poster hanging on the wall? Now it’s a sunset—suddenly I feel ready to write the next international bestseller. One time I looked over at my lampshade with these little dangling jewels and it reminded me of a fortune teller. Which turned into a wandering performer who wore an oversized cartwheel hat with the same hanging jewels.

Even a seemingly insignificant item or switch can turn into something if you let it.

Creation is meant to bring joy. Do anything that makes you happy—soon you’ll remember that same joy you feel for writing, and your arsenal of artistry will only grow.

Whenever the words come to a halt—I take some time to reacquaint myself with my characters. I love to draw almost as much as I love to write. So naturally I have entire sketch books dedicated to book covers and character designs. If I’m feeling extra lazy, I’ll browse pose references on Pinterest and draw on my iPad.

Painting, Knitting, Pottery, Woodcarving, Baking, Music. (I could go on forever)

Imagine art as an old tree. One branch turns to five, turns to ten, turns to fifty. If a single leaf dies—you still have a whole tree.

Sometimes you are in the mood to write but the movie won’t play in your head. The world you’re building is expanding too fast to keep up with or the ideas start tangling together. Or maybe you just need a little warm up to get the gears turning.

If my fingers stop moving and I start rereading the same line over and over—I simply close the document. After getting past the frustration I decide if I’m just at a loss in this story or if I’m truly done writing for the day. Most times it’s the former. So I asked myself a relatively simple question—what’s your favorite thing to write about?

For me it’s anything silly and magical. I took that answer and started thinking of cozy little one offs. Now, whenever I feel myself drifting, I pull from my list and write something small. (600-1000 words)

Who knows—maybe one day Estella and her magical adventures will make it to the spotlight.

4 – Write in a Different Perspective

This one’s a classic. It’s the kind of advice you’ll hear from a writing coach, an editor, or literally any YouTube video on writing tips—and that’s only because it works.

If a scene doesn’t feel quite right—especially if it’s an important moment—it can be discouraging. Instead of pushing through with low morale, try shifting the lens. Write the same scene from another character’s perspective. Their thoughts, priorities, or emotional reactions might surprise you, and suddenly the scene has new depth.

And it doesn’t always have to be the same scene. Sometimes we worry about readers feeling trapped in one point of view, but we forget that we can feel trapped too. You spend far more time with your protagonist than your readers ever will—so give yourself a break.

Try writing a chapter, or even just a paragraph, from someone else’s eyes. You might never use it, but you’ll know your characters better for it.

Like they say, walk a mile in someone else’s shoes—you can learn a lot.

5 – Just. Take. A. Break.

You may be thinking—How could I suggest such a thing in a post about not abandoning the craft? Because whether we like it or not, we’re all human.

There is always something going on in life. It is physically impossible to do everything at once, believe me, I’ve tried too many times (and despite my preaching…never learn the lesson). You should never feel bad about giving yourself some grace. 

Maybe you didn’t write three chapters this week, but you did fold all the laundry and tried a new chicken noodle soup recipe—and that’s great too! Remember that you are your tool. You can’t do a proper job without well maintained tools.

For example I attended multiple parties for Labor day this past weekend. It was nice to spend time with friends and family. They asked me all kinds of questions and are, honestly, responsible for this entire post.

Sometimes the opportunity to share with others can offer clarity for us as well. 

---

At the end of the day, writer’s block is part of the process—it doesn’t mean you’re not a writer. Experiment, be patient with yourself, and trust that the words will return.