websites for writers block

18 Tools & Platforms to Help You Get Over Writer's Block

Every writer will encounter writer's block at some point, but it can take on many forms. You can overcome it with these tools!

Aside from talent and knowledge, content writing requires focus and the ability to produce top-quality content without stopping.

However, every writer has experienced a phase of writer's block at some point in their career, causing obstructions to their continuous work.

Then again, not every writer can wait for their inspiration to return. So, to overcome writer's block, you can take advantage of these tools.

How to Beat Writer's Block With Apps

There are some applications designed specifically to help you deal with writer's block. You can use these tools to quickly regain your flow of writing.

1. MindMeister

Some serious brainstorming can turn out to be your best medicine for writer’s block. You can use MindMeister, the mind mapping software that will assist you to flesh out ideas. The software offers a graphical environment where you can visualize your concepts and ideas.

It also allows you to brainstorm with other online users and take your productivity to the next level. Whether you’re into collaborative writing or not, this app is worth giving a try.

2. Omm Writer

Omm Writer should be your ultimate destination if you can’t write due to unpleasant ambiance and distractions. The tool offers a serene and pleasant writing environment that you need as a writer. It comes with a minimalist interface and a custom theme to suit your mood.

The tool will open exclusively in full-screen mode to reduce writing distractions. You can get submerged in cool ambient background music and charming sound effects while getting the things written.

Download: Omm Writer for Windows | macOS ($8.54)

Ilys is an application that boosts your writing productivity, and it does so in an unorthodox way. The software lets you choose a word count for your write-up. Once you start writing, only the last letter you typed will be visible to you—no word count, no previous line. You'll get 500 words writing limit if you sign up for free.

Thus, you won’t be checking the word count every ten seconds or wasting time choosing a better synonym. It offers you the scope to view and edit your writing only after you reach the self-designated word count.

4. Milanote

If you’re into creative writing, Milanote is the tool you should opt for. For creative writers, keeping all the research and concepts organized together is a challenge. Milanote offers you the luxury to keep all your ideas, characters, outline, and research in one place.

Now, you can arrange and coordinate the messy part of writing as you write on your writing software. Milanote also has a writing app that will help you turn the jumbled ideas into the written shape. It also supports the non-linear thinking and writing process of a writer.

Update Old Blogs and Publish

Another effective way to kill writer’s block is to update your previously written blogs. Necessary yet minute edits will slowly bring back your habit of writing. Use the following platforms to publish your edited blogs for free:

5. WordPress

WordPress is the most popular and flexible blogging platform. You can create a free blogging website on WordPress and start publishing your blogs.

Related: Ways to Make Your Blog More Visually Appealing

Blogger is the content management and publishing system owned by Google. If you have a Google account, you can create your free blogger website with the blogspot.com domain and publish your content there.

Medium is a globally acclaimed platform for writers of all genres. You can create your profile on this website and publish your write-ups.

8. HubPages

HubPages is an online publishing platform that caters to a large community of writers and readers. You can publish your writings here for free by creating a personal profile.

Find the Trending Topics for Writing

Sometimes, it’s good to stop writing about your niche and explore some trending topics. Check out the following websites to get fresh thoughts on the topics:

9. Google Trends

You can use this platform to know the global online search trend. You can customize your search by country, city, topic, etc.

10. BuzzFeed

Buzzfeed is an entertainment and news company that always focuses on viral and trending content. You can go through its website to learn about global and local trends.

One of the quickest methods to know about viral and trending topics is to check Reddit posts. Browse through the Reddit communities, and learn what people are talking about.

12. Twitter

Twitter is the social media that offers an outlook on trending topics with #Hashtags. Besides the topics, you can also know the viewpoint of others on those concepts on this platform.

Increase Social Media Activity

If your writer’s block is due to boredom and lack of ideas , you can take some time off and interact with others on social media platforms. Spending time on these social media will turn out to be helpful for you:

13. Facebook

Facebook is the most popular social media where you can interact with your family and friends here or spend time in groups with like-minded people.

14. Discord

You can join the channel for writers or any random topic. Discord allows you to share your views with fellow writers through text, audio, and video.

15. YouTube

This social media has the largest collection of shared videos online. If you’re stuck with some topic, you can watch related videos on Youtube to have a clear and better idea.

16. Goodreads

Goodreads is the platform where people share their book reviews. You can also write reviews here for a change or read the reviews others have written for fresh ideas.

Write Answers to the Trending Questions

You can try your hands on these forums and fix your writer’s block by writing concise answers:

This question-and-answer website allows you to ask questions on any topic and answer them too. As the answers have no word limit, you can answer any question to overcome writer’s block.

18. Stack Exchange

This community website also offers options to answer questions by the forum members. You can also try to regain your writing practice by answering here.

Overcome Your Writer’s Block With the Right Tools

It’s okay if you face writer’s block. Even the most seasoned content writers can find themselves facing writer’s block. Here’s where it gets good: now you know which tools are here to help.

These apps and platforms will help you overcome writer's block and stay productive throughout the year.

• Brainstorming
• Scriptwriting

How to Cure Writer’s Block: 23 Proven Ideas that Actually Work

T he fact is that almost every writer faces writer’s block at some point in their career. Deadlines, storylines or even airlines can be the cause of this intellectual affliction. Writer’s block is real and can greatly affect your output.

But, every writer of note has willed themselves out of this mental stupor. Writer’s block doesn’t have to stop a budding Homer in their tracks.

There are many ways to overcome this form of procrastination that works wonders.

Today, let’s look at 23 ways that prove effective to help you get rid of writer’s block.

But first…

writer's block DEFINITION

What is writer's block.

Writer’s block is when a writer experiences creative slowdown or can't create new work; essentially an artistic full-stop. It’s the inability of an author to compose new, original material that moves a narrative forward. The term writer’s block is used in reference to any writing or composition process where creativity is stunted. The production of new work grinds to a halt. It’s often referred to as creative constipation. Frustration, fear, anger, dread, and other strong emotions sometimes accompany it.

What causes writer's block?

• Distractions
• Physical illness
• Bills piling up
• Procrastination
• Intimidation

1. How to cure writer's block

Read for inspiration .

One of the best ways to overcome writer’s block is to read. Whether your favorite author or someone new, reading is a reliable cure.

When you take in another writer’s words on the page — a writer who has in all likelihood overcome the block as well, at some point — it challenges and motivates you to get the words out.

The inspiration for many writers is their own writing heroes. Shakespeare to Faulkner, Byron to Plath, all have their own styles and voices that have nourished generations of creatives. Writer’s block gloms onto the idle, not the well-read.

You could open the best screenwriting books for writer’s block help. So pick up a Kindle or an actual bound book, and kickstart the motivation.

​ ​ “The journey of a thousand words begins with the first.”

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2. how to get rid of writer's block

Write away your writer's block.

Even if you copy words from another source, getting something down on your screen or pad is a useful tool to get rid of blockage.

What is writer’s block, after all, but a stoppage of writing?

So do the opposite: just write.

Try transcribing a poem or song lyrics and see what happens.

Whip up a to-do list, an outline for another project or story, a free-association paragraph or two. You’ll discover it goes a long way.

Just as the adage “fake it 'til you make it” fits the bill in business, it also works with writing. Get the writing muscles moving and your brain will catch up before you know it.

There is nothing bad about writing something that, on the surface, appears unusable. It’s practice. You’re training your mind and fingertips for what matters.

If Chris Brown gets stuck in writer's block, he'll just "write it out."

Chris Brown's cure for writer's block is to "just write it out!"

3. how to get rid of writer's block, use a writing prompt.

Writing prompts are an effective way to overcome writer’s block. Having another brain issue a challenge can get a lot of writers going, even you.  

Writer’s D ​ ​ igest and Reddit both offer a roundup of prompts to get you started. You may even consider single words, colors, or phrases as prompts and take it from there.  

Prompts from writer-specific sites can be more in-tune with the level at which professional writers work. But the whimsy of other random sites and ideas can also do much to alleviate writer’s block.

This is basically looking without, instead of looking within, for what to do when you have writer’s block. Taking the pressure off yourself can free your mind and get the ball (- point pen) rolling.

“The wonderful thing about writing is that there is always a blank page waiting. The terrifying thing about writing is that there is always a blank page waiting.”

― J.K. Rowling

4. How to get over writer's block

Develop a character.

Since you want to know how to get over your block, create a character who already has the answers.

The character you describe in writing doesn’t even need to have meaning, only features. A woman with red hair, green eyes, and a pout. A pimple-faced man in a trucker hat. Throw in a verb and a location and you have the beginning of a story.

“A woman with red hair, green eyes, and a pout stands in front of her bedroom mirror …”

“A pimple-faced man in a trucker hat sprints down the sidewalk …”

The character doesn’t necessarily have to know all the right answers.

You can even create a version of yourself. Some of the best characters came about this way. If the character turns into a cure, then you’ve created the right character.

You can even use a character development worksheet to get this process going even faster.

Free downloadable bonus

Download free character development sheet.

If you're going to develop a new character, it's critical to lay out the ins and outs for a fully-formed character.  Download our FREE, worksheet to get you started.

• TV Development: Creating Characters →
• How To Write The Best Character Arc with Examples →
• Free Character Development Worksheet →

5. how to cure writer's block

Try a different genre.

If you want to figure out how to get past writer’s block, we recommend switching up your writing genre. If you are a screenwriter, write a short story or essay. If you’re a novelist, write a poem.

It’s almost as like taking a vacation from your usual writing style and vocation to explore a new voice.  It is a new way to interpret the world. Also, you might consider writing your same format, but with a different style or approach.        

Expository writing can be tiresome. Try a few lines of descriptive text. Next, maybe a persuasive argument within your story.  

Writer’s block shuts the door. These style exercises open windows.

6. how to overcome writer's block

Put together a puzzle.

Working with other parts of the brain can be a big help.

Whether it’s a jigsaw puzzle, tangram, sudoku, or crossword, puzzling your brain stimulates dopamine and gives you a creativity boost.

Furthermore, the analytical nature of a puzzle bleeds into the writer’s craft. Putting yourself in a headspace to analyze or assess can lead to overcoming writer’s block.

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• Download: A FREE Story Outline Template →

7. how to get rid of writer's block

Change your music.

Playing music can be a good method for how to get over writer’s block. If it’s not working, change the music.

Now, change it again. Deejay your way out of a corner.

Music has been a cure to spur creativity ever since authors put quill to paper. Music not only calms the savage beast, but it also inspires the blocked writer.

We’re partial to Bach for curing writer’s block but AC/DC may do for you

Youtube and Spotify playlists exist that focus on writer’s block help. Ultimately, only you can determine what music works best.

A lot of writers swear by Elgar or Handel when crafting period-specific tales, for example.

8. HOW TO GET over OF WRITER'S BLOCK

Practice another art form.

This trick is one of the most fun ways to get the creative juices flowing. Singing, painting, sculpting, or dancing will get your creative juices flowing. Bust out the watercolors. Take out crayons and doodle away.

Download the Pulp Fiction script and act out the scene between Vincent and Jules as they clean up the car.

Practicing another art also gives you a built-in writing prompt: “A writer dances in the living room, loud music shaking the floor …”

You get the idea.

“Writing about a writer’s block is better than not writing at all.”

— Charles Bukowski

9. HOW TO GET RID OF WRITER'S BLOCK

Find a new hobby.

A craft or hobby can be the best answer for beating the creative blues.

Whittling, cobbling, and cooking all count as hobbies! So do gardening, knitting, and collecting snow globes.

A hobby or craft gives the mind a sense of workflow and completion. They require attention. They force your brain to focus.

Focus is an enemy of writer’s block and a friend to the writer.

So if you don’t have a hobby, maybe it’s time to find one. Your world and your writing will broaden. Try your local community college, which undoubtedly has an array of classes.

Some people knit, others whittle to get rid of writer’s block

10. getting over writer's block, watch a short film.

Watching a short film, a concise and contained story, is a surefire solution to moving forward with whatever you’re writing.

Just like features, short films provide different perspectives, new ways of thinking, emotion, and closure ― but in less time.

Voila! You’ve just written your way out of the doldrums.

Take a look at a genre-specific short film. Make a quick outline of it. Then expand on the story in a few sentences. What happens next?

What is writer’s block? Bryan Cranston knows all too well.

• The Best Short Films of All Time →
• How to Brainstorm Short Film Ideas →
• Rules for Writing Award-Worthy Short Films →

11. GETTING OVER WRITER'S BLOCK

Try cleaning your house.

Artists tend to work in spaces consumed by things. If this sounds like you, try a quick tidy-up. You might find that un-cluttering your workspace also de-clutters your mind. Cleaning gives you a “fresh start” and might lead to overcoming writer’s block.  

This is a question of taste. If you discover that clutter works for you, by all means, keep it messy.

But shift your clutter around. Seeing your area, even your mountains of clutter, in a new light is what you’re after.

When afternoon sun reflects off the south face of your newly rearranged laundry pile, you might get inspired.

Since you need to know how to get over unproductively, we’ll emphasize right here that cleaning or rearranging your stuff is a go-to cure.

“Breaking through writer’s block is like thinking out of the box: Both require an ability to imagine a world outside your four walls or rearranging them to get a better view.”

— Susan J. McIntire

12. HOW TO CURE WRITER'S BLOCK

Create a story circle.

The story circle is a storytelling tool and it helps you improve the structure of a story and was originally based on Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey. 

As a writing exercise, this can be effective to write out your story and think of all the elements holistically as a way to kick your writer's block. 

Dan Harmon's story circle

• Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey in 17 Steps →
• Internal and External Conflict Can Energize Your Story →
• FREE Download: Script Breakdown Sheet Template →

13. GETTING OVER WRITER'S BLOCK

Complete a simple task.

Completing a simple task is another way to move forward and get past writer’s block.

Taking out the trash, scrambling eggs, and watering plants all have the potential to impact creativity. You’ll also be able to scratch a chore off your list.

Making coffee is a simple and quick task. It also leads beautifully to the next item on our list of how to get over writer’s block.

Whatever your simple task is, make sure it isn’t stress-inducing in any way. Stressful tasks can be counterproductive. Multitasking, too, is not the best answer to cure your block. Stick to one thing.

14. GETTING OVER WRITER'S BLOCK

Make a writing schedule.

Does a routine sound boring?

As a writer, a routine can be your best friend.

Sitting down to write at the same time every day, and for the same length of time, forces the creative mind to produce the goods. If you go into it treating writing as your job, then you are simply more likely to get your job done.

That doesn’t mean it has to be a chore or a hassle. The fun and inspiration will come. Routine is the process you use to get to that place of fun and inspiration.

Your schedule can be your best cure when the muse won’t visit.

Your schedule doesn’t have to be ironclad, but routine and consistency are what you’re going for here.

Every film needs a  shooting schedule .

Every writer needs a writing schedule. Routine is not a dirty word.

“Writer’s block? I’ve heard of this. This is when a writer cannot write, yes? Then that person isn’t a writer anymore. I’m sorry, but the job is getting up in the f***ing morning and writing for a living.”  

—  Warren Ellis

15. Writer's block cure

Practice a new language.

This is one of our favorites hacks for keeping pen to paper. The beauty of French, the structure of Japanese, the melody of Italian, the vowels of Arabic — learning another language, or involving a language you already have mastered, can give you a big creative push.  

Maybe one of the characters you’ve created speaks another language. This backstory alone can get a writer over a hurdle. Mashable has tips on where to look to learn a new language.

Another hack is to take a poem or phrase in another language and use it as the focus of your story.

For instance,  je ne sais quois …  What does the French term mean? How can it be applied to your work?

Research the history of the phrase, and your writing will take on a whole new life.

How do you say writer’s block in Swedish?

16. writer's block cure, drink some coffee.

We aren’t the first to suggest coffee to boost output. Caffeine does wonders stimulating the mind. It spurs writers in every medium to get moving. Literally, it’s a diuretic.

If caffeine isn’t for you, other natural stimulants exist. Ginseng, ginkgo biloba, and ― oh yes, wait for it ― dark chocolate all act as natural stimulants

“I don’t sit around waiting for passion to strike me. I keep working steadily because I believe it is our privilege as humans to keep making things. Most of all, I keep working because I trust that creativity is always trying to find me, even when I have lost sight of it.”

― Elizabeth Gilbert

17. GETTING OVER WRITER'S BLOCK

Change your scenery.

This seems like a no-brainer in our quest for a writer’s block cure. Still, most people get stuck in a rut that has less to do with what they’re doing than where they’re doing it.

Even something as simple as changing the direction you usually face when you’re writing can do wonders for your creative energy.

It can also do wonders for your characters. Travel is an eye-opening experience.

This is true with the people you come across. Meeting and observing new people in new places will get you past writer’s block.

What is writer’s block? It’s quicksand.

What is travel? It’s movement and a lifeline.

“There's a lot of optimism in changing scenery, in seeing what's down the road."

― Conor Oberst

18. WRITER'S BLOCK cure

Get some exercise.

Exercise does wonders for the body and mind. Endorphins give you a runner’s high, which can translate to productivity and energy in all other areas of life and work.

You don’t have to run a marathon or do hot yoga to get the blood pumping. Try alternating between 10 push-ups and 10 sit-ups every 10 minutes over the course of an hour.

It’ll do wonders.

Pick something easy. Even stretching helps. Remember, objects in motion tend to stay in motion. Remaining sedentary will make sure your writer’s block doesn’t go anywhere, either.

How to overcome writer’s block? Get fit!

19. writer's block cure, go outside and play.

Let’s face it, if you’re stuck at a computer with a bad case of the blank page, it might mean that you aren’t living enough to write about living. What can you do?

Get outside and live a little. Or, go outside and live a lot!

Laughter and joy in the real world can be the perfect antidote to the crime series you’re creating. Even a writer’s group counts as play. You’re engaging, communicating ― living.

Join a group of writers to get rid of writer's block.

20. WRITER'S BLOCK CURE

Dictate and record.

Maybe the most fun way to overcome your impediment is to tell yourself a story out loud and record it, giving you a solid place to start.

Even kicking off with “once upon a time” requires creative expansion. Pretend you have an audience. Children, old folks, tourists, a judge: your imagined audience can guide your tone.

You might find that, for now, it’s easier to tell a story than to write it. Use what you’ve got!

If you want to get over your block? Tell yourself a story.

21. WRITER'S BLOCK CURE

Have a cocktail to cure writer’s block.

I don’t advocate resorting to alcohol all the time, but sipping a cocktail has certainly helped many a writer.

There is a fine line between having a drink to loosen up and being unable to type from blurry-eyed tequila-vision . You don’t want to spend every waking hour seeing the world at a dutch angle .

So you’ve taken a sip. Now use your drink as a writing prompt. What does it look like, taste like, and feel like as you swallow?

Hey doc, I’ve got the writer’s block.

Take two sips and call me in the morning.

“When you work hard all day with your head and know you must work again the next day what else can change your ideas and make them run on a different plane like whiskey? When you are cold and wet what else can warm you?”

—  Ernest Hemingway

22. WRITER'S BLOCK CURE

Go through a guided visualization.

If you feel a creative block approaching, it could also be due to overthinking. Another way to clear your mind is through guided visualization — which is easier than mediating and a great way to activate the imagination.

This could take about 10-minutes, but it can be a surefire way of shaking you out of things.

Follow along right here:

Guided visualization to cure writer's block

23. writer's block cure, clear your mind to cure writer's block.

The truth is, prayer, meditation, yoga, or whatever you want to do to center your creative mind, can be clutch as a cure for writer’s block. Meditative activities such as prayer help to center the creative mind.

The clean slate in your head can inspire you when you face the clean slate of the page.

How to overcome writer’s block? Meditate

Tips for writing short films.

We’ve given you ideas for overcoming writer’s block. Try one, try a few, or try them all.  But most importantly keep writing. Make note of what works for you — we promise something will.

But make sure you realize that when you can’t create, it’s usually a mental block more than creative one. Now that you’ve kicked the muse to the curb, it’s time to focus your writing even more. Learn the best tips for writing a short film that gets noticed.

Up Next: Write a Short Film that Gets Noticed →

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International literary journal for undergraduate writers.

Ten Websites to Help with Writers Block

By Christina Giska

With the creation of the internet, it became easier than ever to find information and resources. Sometimes the hardest part of having so much information is that you aren’t sure where to start. There are so many websites geared towards writers that it’s easy for some to get lost in the cracks. Here are ten websites that I’ve personally found helpful!

1. Fighters block: https://cerey.github.io/fighters-block/

a. Fighter’s Block is a fun website that helps writers focus on writing rather than worrying over a specific word or the complete accuracy of their first draft. You get to choose an avatar and set the word count you want to reach; pressing Fight! leads to a new screen. Two bars fight against time, and every word you write helps the avatar keep HP and the monster lose HP. You can pause the game and set the monster’s speed and attack to be higher or lower as needed. It’s truly a customizable experience that can work for anyone!

2. 750 words https://750words.com/

a. 750words is a website meant to encourage writers to write every day. It shows various statistics for anyone who joins, and the whole website is free! Their goal is to get people to write three pages every day, no matter the quality. They set each page equal to 250 words, hence the 750 word goal.

3. 4 the words: https://4thewords.com/

a. This is a writing adventure game! Complete quests and gain access to different areas of the map by writing.

4. https://www.creativity-portal.com/prompts/imagination.prompt.html

a. This website gives you various different prompts for you to respond to! A good warm up website, or a place to just start writing more often.

5. Thesaurus: https://www.thesaurus.com/

a. Thesauruses are a necessary tool for any writer, and this website is a great example. It organizes the words by length, relevance, and you can click on the new word to make sure you aren’t accidentally changing the meaning of your sentence. Check it out!

6. One word: https://www.oneword.com/home/

a. This website gives you one word and a minute to write about it. It’s a good warm up for any writer and is an easy exercise to get over writer’s block.

7. http://cliche.theinfo.org/

a. Copy and paste part of your story and it’ll highlight parts that use more cliched phrases. Cliches can be useful, but too many can be a drag. Whether intentional or not, it’s always better to be aware of clichés that creep into your writing!

8. http://www.writewords.org.uk/word_count.asp

a. This website will count how often you use specific words. Not only is knowing which words you repeat a good habit to get into to avoid being repetitive, but it’s also cool to see your writing style laid out with statistics!

9. http://www.writewords.org.uk/phrase_count.asp

a. This is exactly like the last website, but it counts specific phrases instead of words.

10. tip of my tongue: https://chir.ag/projects/tip-of-my-tongue/ and https://www.onelook.com/reverse-dictionary.shtml

a. Have you ever completely forgotten the perfect word for the sentence you’re writing, and no matter how many times you try to describe it in google, the word eludes your grasp? Well, that’s where this website comes in! Tip of my Tongue is a website where you can describe a word by its lengths, letter, or actual definition, and it’ll give you various words that meet the criteria. If that doesn’t work, Onelook, the second link, does a similar task, so feel free to check them out as well

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Home / Book Writing / How to Get Over Writer’s Block: 25 Proven Methods

How to Get Over Writer’s Block: 25 Proven Methods

Writer's block. For some, it's as foreign as a disorder made up by a marketing company to sell mouthwash. But for others, it's a very real affliction that can affect their livelihood by preventing creativity from taking hold.

Luckily, writer's block isn't contagious and doesn't require medication to treat. Often, all it takes to get back to writing is a willingness to try something new. To that end, here are 25 tips you can use to get over writer's block.

• 25 ways to get over writer's block that actually work
• Additional questions about writer's block answered
• What you can do to overcome writer's block

Table of contents

• 1. Create a Daily Writing Habit
• 2. Imitate the Pros
• 3. Try a Writing Prompt
• 4. Use Gamification
• 5. Change Stories
• 6. Jump Ahead
• 7. Kill Your Characters
• 8. Change Your Belief
• 9. Take a Walk
• 10. Try Dictation
• 11. Use an App
• 12. Don't Wait for Inspiration
• 13. Read for a Bit
• 14. Copy Down a Favorite Work
• 15. Forget About Your Audience
• 16. Get to Know Your Characters
• 18. Do Some Push-Ups
• 19. Inhale Some Caffeine
• 20. Talk it Over
• 21. Take it Elsewhere
• 22. Address What's Bothering You
• 23. Try Auditory Cues
• 24. Power Through
• 25. Use a Brainstorming Tool
• What Causes Writer's Block?
• What Are the Symptoms of Writer's Block?
• How Long Does Writer's Block Last?
• How Do You Cure Writer's Block?
• How Do You Get Over Writer's Block Once and For All?

The best cure for writer's block isn't a cure at all — it's prevention. And the best prevention is a daily writing habit . By writing daily, whether you feel like it or not, you can turn writing into a habit instead of something you do when the muse strikes.

To be clear, you don't have to write every single day without fail, but a consistent habit is key to avoiding writer's block.

Many professional writers don't believe in writer's block. They can't afford to. After all, if you don't write, you can't call yourself a professional writer. And for those living off their words, not writing means not getting paid.

Since writer's block is, for many, a mental block, it helps to think of yourself as a professional. Visualize yourself having the kind of success you dream about when you're drifting off to sleep at night. What would that writer do? Would that super successful version of you get stuck? Or would that you power through and just get some words down on the page, even if they're the worst words ever?

See yourself as a pro to help release the mental block.

If you're stuck on a scene in your novel, a section of your college essay, or a sentence in a work email, breaking through the block often takes a change of pace. That's where writing prompts come in handy.

Selecting a prompt and writing a story that no one else will see can help you get back on track. You don't even need to finish the story — the point here is to get some words flowing to break the standstill. A good place to find creative writing prompts is Reddit .

If you’re experiencing writer’s block while working on fiction, you can try a character development exercise instead of or in addition to a writing prompt. 

Sometimes the creative process just needs a little push to get you back on track. Luckily, there are some gamification tools you can use to get that push. These tools use different tactics to turn writing into a game, so you can get over your fear of the blank page. Check out the following to give gamification a try:

• Written? Kitten!
• Write or Die

Sometimes all you need to overcome writer's block is a change of creative pace. If you find that you're stuck on one story, try writing on another one. This can be a new idea or an old one. By focusing on another idea, you may find that your block was a result of being stuck on a specific plot. 

Writing on another story for a few hundred words can free your subconscious mind to work on the other story in the background.

If you find that you can’t decide what happens next in your story, try jumping ahead in the plot. Chances are you have at least a vague idea of what will happen at the end of your story. Jump ahead and write the ending, then you can go back and fill in the blanks. Even if you don't end up using that specific ending, it can still help you get over your writer's block.

Sometimes overcoming writer's block is as easy as killing one of your beloved characters. Don't worry, your character doesn't have to stay dead (unless it works for your story). Really, this is just an exercise to get the creative juices flowing again.

Writing a scene or a chapter in which a main character dies can get your mind rolling and the words flowing again. It often brings up some strong emotions that get you back into the writing flow again.

This tip is easier said than done, but it bears considering. If you refuse to believe in writer's block, you won't suffer from it any longer. Like any other belief, this is all about faith — faith that you'll always be able to write something. Even if that something isn't very good, anything is better than a blank page.

A 2014 Stanford study found that walking actually improves creativity. The researchers found that subjects saw an average 60% increase in creativity when walking as compared to sitting. So the next time you get writer's block, take a walk to clear your head, gain some perspective, and get your creativity back on track.

Sometimes getting out of a creative funk is as easy as changing the mechanics of your writing. One great way to do this is by trying dictation. By talking your story out instead of writing it out, you may be able to clear your creative block and get back on track. You can use a tool or an app to record what you say, but sometimes just talking to yourself is enough to break through writer's block.

There are several writing apps that provide different ways of getting over writer's block. While these aren't magic bullets, they can certainly help. By keeping moments of inspiration organized on an app like Evernote , you can refer back to those notes to dust off your imagination.

Mind mapping apps like Miro can break you out of the ways of thinking that caused the block in the first place. Storyist is a great app that helps you map out your plot to keep you on track while writing.

Waiting for inspiration is basically like asking for writer's block. Between waiting until you feel inspired and dealing with everyday procrastination, you're not likely to get any writing done. This is why it's important to write on a schedule, even if you don't feel like it.

There's an excellent quote that sums this up:

“I write only when inspiration strikes. Fortunately, it strikes every morning at nine o'clock sharp.”

This quote, or some version of it, has been attributed to many writers, including William Faulkner and W. Somerset Maugham. It doesn't really matter who said it. It only matters what it means: Don't wait for inspiration to show up. Meet inspiration by keeping a writing schedule.

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If the words really won't flow, combat writer's block by reading for a little bit. Sometimes it helps to get some perspective by reading a chapter or two in a favorite book. This can lend you inspiration and help shift your creative gears.

For another tactic to help you break writer's block, turn to other great writers. Grab one of your favorite books — preferably one with prose that really speaks to you — and copy a few pages down. This is best done by hand instead of typing, as writing by hand tends to activate certain portions of the brain responsible for memory and learning .

This writing exercise can get your prose flowing while also giving you a glimpse of a professional author's writing skills.

One of the most common causes of writer's block is fear of pleasing others. It can be scary to put your writing out there, whether it's a short story, a novel, or a nonfiction book. Even the most famous writer you can think of has to deal with fear from time to time. But writing with a large audience in mind is not very conducive to creativity.

If you're going to be a successful writer, you need to learn to forget about your potential audience while you write. You can do as Stephen King does and write for one single person (preferably someone you know and whose opinion you value). Or you can simply write for yourself.

On occasion, writer's block stops a writing session short because you're having character trouble. You may be asking yourself what a character would do in a certain situation, or wondering why something doesn't feel right with your protagonist.

If so, it's a good time to get to know your characters a little better. This is easily done with a character profile . Writing a character profile will not only help you with character development, but it will also help make you a better writer!

Sometimes smashing writer's block requires some creative movement, but other times all it needs is some physical movement. So if you're feeling a little sluggish and you just can't get the words down, try doing a few push-ups, jumping jacks, squats, or any other physical activity that can get your heart pumping. This could be all you need to get the creative juices flowing again.

A lot of authors out there would find it hard to operate without caffeine. And while I don't think you should literally inhale caffeine, getting up to get a cup of tea or coffee can help you break the monotony of the blank page.

Not only can caffeine in the bloodstream help you wake up and get thinking again, but the act of getting up from the computer can also help you clear your head and gain some perspective.

Clearing writer's block is often as easy as talking your problem over with someone else. We all know what it feels like to discuss a problem with someone and find a solution without them actually saying anything. Sometimes we just need to talk it out.

Every good writer will need help like this at some point, so there's no shame in discussing your problem with another person. It may help if the other person is a writer, but this isn't always the case. Simply mulling over the story out loud can help.

Some instances of writer's block don't actually have anything to do with the writing task at all. Instead, they're an issue with your surroundings. Maybe you've been cooped up in your room writing for too long and you just need a change of scenery. If it's nice outside, take your laptop out there. Or consider going to the local coffee shop for an hour or two. 

Sometimes taking your writing project elsewhere is all you need to get back into the creative flow.

It can be hard to focus on the writing process if you have other issues occupying your mind. Things like overdue bills, house cleaning you've been putting off, or stress from personal relationships can all interrupt the writing process.

If it's possible to address whatever's bothering you, get it taken care of. This is not to say that you should continue skipping your writing time in order to unload the dishwasher every day. That's a slippery slope. But, on occasion, you may want to take the time to address what's bothering you so you can get back to getting your day's word count done.

You may want to try changing things up to keep your writing routine fresh. More specifically, try audio cues. You could try a new kind of music while you write — there are plenty of kinds to choose from. You may also want to try ASMR or apps like BrainFM to help you focus. Any of these are worth a try to help you get your word count done if you're struggling.

Using brute force is another tactic that many writers use to clear their creative blocks. They simply write anything at all, keeping the words coming so they aren't sitting staring at a blank page. Some call this free writing, and it's a legitimate tactic for getting back on track. 

You can always come back and edit what you wrote or delete it all if it doesn't work for you. The important thing is that you keep writing when it matters most.

There are many different types of brainstorming tools you can use when you get stuck. There are decks of cards available for this very purpose. Narata Storytelling Cards are a great option for reinvigorating your story idea. They have cards for character, creature, goal, activity, society, event, situation, and location, to name a few. Simply draw a card and see where it takes you.

The Writer Emergency Pack is another good option for fiction writing. It has 26 illustrated cards, each designed to help you break through creative blocks. The nice thing about both these packs is they're small and easy to take wherever you go.

Writer's Block FAQs

Writer's block has several possible causes. The block may be due to a problem with the writer's work itself, such as plot or character problems. Other causes include an overly harsh inner critic, relationship problems, fear of failure, procrastination, and other personal issues or distractions.

Anxiety and a sense of creative paralysis are the most common symptoms of writer's block. The inability to write can also cause stress, worry, depression, and lethargy. Some writers don't experience other symptoms aside from the inability to write.

There's no set amount of time that writer's block lasts. It can last for five minutes, five months, or even five years. Luckily, it's within every writer's power to take action and break through writer's block using the tips and tactics listed above.

There's no one proven cure that works for every writer experiencing writer's block. Every writer is different, but there's one thing that professional writers say helps: taking action to get back to writing. Persistence is the best cure for writer's block. It comes in many forms, you just have to find the right one for you.

 Don't give up! Push through to cure your writer's block.

The best way to get over writer's block once and for all is to write on a schedule no matter what. Create a word count goal that you achieve on a schedule. This will help you create a habit. And once your writing habit is ingrained, writer's block will be a thing of the past.

Whether you're in the middle of a school writing assignment, a blog post, or a novel, writer's block can strike at any time. Luckily, there are many ways to overcome this affliction, most of which include developing a regular writing habit or changing your mindset to clear the creative blocks.

From writing exercises and apps that facilitate creativity to physical movement and changing stories, there's no shortage of ways to combat writer's block.

To sum things up, I'll leave you with a quote from Steven Pressfield's The War of Art , which is a book every creator should have on their shelf:

“The most important thing about art is to work. Nothing else matters except sitting down every day and trying.”

Dave Chesson

When I’m not sipping tea with princesses or lightsaber dueling with little Jedi, I’m a book marketing nut. Having consulted multiple publishing companies and NYT best-selling authors, I created Kindlepreneur to help authors sell more books. I’ve even been called “The Kindlepreneur” by Amazon publicly, and I’m here to help you with your author journey.

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Sep 21, 2021

How to break writer's block with these 10 apps

Having a hard time turning your thoughts and ideas to text? These writer's block apps will help you to break the rut.

Samuli Pehkonen

Table of contents

Ahhhh, writer's block.

The age-old affliction presenting itself at completely random, yet often at the worst possible moments.

The good news is that we all suffer from it at some point, which means that you are not alone and there are ways to solve it. 

We have covered the the topic extensively in our complete guide on writer's block from causes, symptoms to cures.

This time we are taking a deep dive into how technology can help you solve this challenge by introducing 10 writer's block apps that can make your words flow again. We compiled the list so that the apps highlighted hold the potential to offer relief for professional writers, business professionals, and students alike.

Keep reading to learn more about the best apps that take different approaches to solving writer's block, and find the one that works for you.

Flowrite is an AI writing tool that turns short bullet points into ready-to-send emails and messages in seconds:

And it can also help you to solve writer's block!

When you are stuck, Flowrite will instantly give you an idea of what the final email or message should look like with the click of a button. This is possible thanks to our smart templates that guide the AI to generate the type of email or message you're looking to write.

If you already know what you would like to say but can't get the words out of your head, here's what to do. Just jot down a couple of bullets as instructions, select a template for the type of email or message you are about to send, and watch the AI writer do its magic.

When you are experiencing a writer's rut, it's increasingly important to write down even the fleeing thoughts and ideas whenever the inspiration strikes. It's also equally important to keep things you write structured and organized to ensure that the clutter is not occupying your mind from writing. Evernote is a fully-fledged note-taking app that provides the backbone for all of this. Thanks to an easy-to-format word processor and sync, you can effortlessly make notes on things that pass your mind no matter where you are and dive into the storyline late on.

Mind mapping helps you to break writer's block by breaking you out of your typical ways of thinking. Miro is one of the most exciting apps that help you capture, organize, and map out your ideas and thoughts. Despite being designed for distributed teams, Miro has proven to be the perfect balance of simplicity and function for bringing thoughts to life also when working individually – at least here at Flowrite . As an infinite virtual whiteboard, it provides you all the flexibility for mind mapping you won't get with just pen and paper.

Writing down your thoughts and feelings to understand them more clearly can be a helpful method to make words flow again. Penzu provides you with all the tools you need to focus on preserving your inner life rather than the process of writing itself. Thanks to their mobile app, you can take Penzu wherever you go and trust that your journal entries are safe behind double password protection and military-grade encryption.

When your brain feels overwhelmed, it can be challenging to focus on creating. That's where Storyist can help. It helps creative writers track the plot, characters, and settings. It allows you to focus on storytelling by keeping your writing neat and organized. Compared to note-taking apps, it packs tons of features tailored for writing manuscripts and screenplays. For example, it is possible to sketch out a story using index cards and refine it with plot, character, and setting sheets.

If you struggle to keep up with your routine due to blank page syndrome, Today might just be the cure you are looking for. You can use it to track your daily writing tasks and build a consistent and successful habit of getting the work done. The tracker app can help to keep up or reform your routine, prevent you from procrastinating, and ultimately being a prolific writer again. As a bonus it has gorgeous design.

Have you heard about the Pomodoro technique? The gist of it is that you set a time and work without pause for 25 minutes, then rest for 5 minutes, and so on until you carry four Pomodoros – as in 25-minute sessions – successfully. It can help you if you have challenges with time management or your head is occupied with your goals keeping you from getting the words out. Pomodoro is simple, good-looking, and works right in your browser, so there's no need to install anything if you want to try out if this technique can help you. The best part? It's a free app for solve writer's block.

Lists for Writers

Lists for Writers brings together a variety of lists to help writers to come up with new ideas. You'll get access to lists of prompts and ideas, including names, character traits, occupations, obsessions, and plot lines. Whether you are facing a jam with creative writing, this app can help you to push through.

Have you considered meditating your way through writer's block? Meditation can improve your ability to focus and help sustain attention, thus guiding you to get the words on the page again. Suppose you are looking for more space for your writing (pun intended). In that case, Headspace is one of the best meditation apps that provides a low barrier to entry if you want to see whether mindfulness is for you. If it helps you form a new habit, the app will be there for your journey. 

Don't let the looks fool you – this app is more powerful than its appearances might give away. 750 words builds upon the idea of freewriting, encouraging you to write three pages a day to clear your mind so that ideas can start to flow again. When facing a blank page syndrome with your work, it can help you get back on track by prompting you to write something off-topic.

We hope that this blog post introduced you to writer's block apps to help you solve the blank page syndrome. Let us know if you found them helpful or you have a recommendation on an app that has helped you break the writer's block.

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How to Beat Writer’s Block: 36 Surefire Strategies (A Definitive Guide)

Discover how to beat writers block in our guide.

Have you ever looked at the blank page and found yourself out of ideas? Or perhaps you’re wondering, Do I have writer’s block ? Don’t worry. Almost every writer has asked themselves how they’ll produce something from nothing.

Even famous writers are vulnerable to the paralyzing effects of writer’s block. Some get creative when attempting to solve this obstacle.

For instance, best-selling author and writer of Inferno  and The Da Vinci Code , Dan Brown, uses gravity boots. He says hanging upside down every day oxygenates the brain and helps him gain a different perspective. Too extreme?

You might not have gravity boots or fancy hanging upside down like Brown. Nonetheless, it’s natural sometimes to  let your fear of writing get in the way of the creative process. You can overcome this problem with a little thought, preparation and some good creative habits. Here’s what we will cover in this definitive guide to writer’s block.

Is Writer’s Block Real?

What is writer’s block, causes of writer’s block, 2. perfectionism, 3. lack of inspiration, 4. distraction, 5. procrastination, 6. your environment, get over writer’s block: 36 surefire strategies, 2. write what you know, 3. flip the truth, 4. use a writing prompt, 5. free write, 6. create a writing schedule, 7. take a break, 8. run, swim, walk, exercise, 9. meditate, 10. pick a fight with another author or expert.

• 11. Use Oblique Strategies

12. Listen to Music

13. optimize your environment, 14. write down 10 ideas, 15. make a list, 16. use a swipe file, 17. keep a commonplace book.

• 18. Journal About It

19. Use the Pomodoro Technique

20. disconnect, 21. use pen and paper, 22. hold yourself publicly accountable, 23. write down your accomplishments, 24. write down what you need to do next, 25. reread your favorite writing, 26. jot down your feelings, 27. identify strengths, 28. identify weaknesses, 29. change your point of view.

• 30. Annotate, Annotate, Annotate 

31. Determine the Purpose

32. outline (or mind map) it, 33. write now, edit later, 34. write for one reader, 35. consume great art, tools for beating writer’s block, what to do next, how can a student overcome writer’s block, what causes writer’s block, why do i have writer’s block, what does writer’s block feel like, how long can writer’s block last.

The feeling of being out of steam and robbed of creativity is not exactly a myth.

Many new writers sometimes feel like they’ve nothing to say or aren’t good enough. Almost no other profession has a term that excuses people from their most important work. What would you do if a doctor said he can’t operate on your knee, because he’s “not feeling it today”? Best-selling author Philip Pullman has little sympathy for those yielding to writer’s block.

“All writing is difficult. The most you can hope for is a day when it goes reasonably easily. Plumbers don’t get plumber’s block, and doctors don’t get doctor’s block; why should writers be the only profession that gives a special name to the difficulty of working, and then expect sympathy for it?”

If you ask me … Writer’s block is real if you believe in it. It’s kind of like looking at the night sky for UFOs. Stare long enough into the darkness, and you’ll convince yourself you see UFOs. If, however, you’re a professional, you’ll recognize writer’s block is simply an indication that you need to change your approach to writing .

Look … It’s up to you to push past your mental blocks. You must hunt down ideas and, whether or not you feel your creative juices flowing, capture and use them. When you tell yourself you’ve writer’s block, you’re exacerbating the problem.

You’re stealing any chance of creativity or motivation you had left. You’ve allowed your mind to accept you don’t have what it takes to write. Go on like this, and you could struggle with writer’s block for years.

So what is this inability to write?

Psychologist Edmund Berger coined the term “writer’s block” in the 1940s. Writer’s block has been used to describe different scenarios. While various famous writers have described it as a momentary or short-lived lapse in creativity and motivation, others have used it to express periods of anguish or their inability to write.

So what is it exactly? Writer’s block is a temporary or lasting belief that you’ve no good ideas or anything good that supports the writing process. It’s a limiting self-belief you can easily shatter.

(And you should too… because those bestsellers won’t write themselves.) The condition of writer’s block doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t get any  words out.

You might be stuck on a particular section or just lacking a good writing schedule. But if that’s the case … What causes so many people to feel an inability to write?

Writer’s block is normal if you’re unaware of why you feel blocked, unmotivated or uninspired. Here are six common reasons why this might happen to you:

Consider these questions when analyzing the root cause of your writer’s block.

• Do you fear you are incapable of writing?
• Do you worry a reader or editor will reject your work?
• Are you intimidated by the creative task at hand?
• Do people really care what I’ve to say?

If you answered yes  to any of these questions, you are not alone. Many new writers fear they’re not good enough or that readers or editors will reject them. This fear is usually at its height before you start writing. Like any difficult task, once you muster the courage to start writing, you’ll find it easier to keep going.

Isn’t perfectionism useful for writers who want to hold themselves to a high standard? Striving for perfection limits your ability to form new ideas and produce creative writing . It will also stop you from finishing what you started. As I mentioned in my Speech to Text Software  article, the job of any first draft is to exist. When constructing your first draft, don’t stop to edit yourself. Perfectionism doesn’t belong within the writing process.

Some writers tell themselves it’s not the right time to write . They want to wait until their ideas are ready or until they’ve enough time to write. What’s wrong with this thinking?

By waiting for your ideas or inspiration to strike, you’re putting off the writing process. No perfect time exists to create great writing. As the famous Jack London said , “You can’t wait for inspiration, you have to go after it with a club.” So start writing.

It’s easier than ever to let a distraction get in the way of the writing process. Notifications, messages, phone calls, laundry, other commitments … the list goes on. Without self-discipline, these will tug your attention away from your writing. They can also create insurmountable writing blocks.

Have you ever started writing an article or book chapter then put it down for a day, a week or a month? Time marches on, and you lack a clear plan or deadline for finishing that draft.

By all means, take a break from the blank screen, but putting off writing for no good reason is just procrastination . Beat your procrastination  and get the job done.

Finding an optimal creative environment is tough for writers. Coffee shops are too noisy for some writers. Working from home and learning how to overcome the loneliness of being a writer is difficult too. The wrong workplace can leave writers feeling stagnant and unproductive with a strong bout of writer’s block.

What’s the best environment to write? Well, it is specific to your writing process.

Find a workplace devoid of distractions but which inspires creative writing. Famous writers struggle too, but they find workarounds.

The poet Raymond Carver wrote first drafts of his poems in his car. Roald Dahl wrote in a shed at the bottom of his garden.

In the end, having a place to work today is more important than having the perfect place to write forever.

So, how can you get rid of writer’s block?

Here are 36 surefire approaches you can use to overcome it and finish writing your article, story or book. They’ll also help you nail a good creative or writing routine. Now, let’s brew the coffee and find a cure for writer’s block.

1. Skip the Introduction

Start writing your conclusion instead.

Many writers find constructing an introduction the most challenging part of writing. So why not try it the other way around?

If you start with your conclusion, you will quickly determine what outcome you’re hoping to achieve. It’s also much easier to write your introduction last when you know what the story or book is about.

Write down the facts and everything else you know about the topic you’re finding challenging or having a problem with. Use a mind map, index cards or bullet points. Your job is to excavate what’s in your mind about the topic at hand.

Writing down the facts will give you an idea of what you need to research and help you identify topics to include.

Consider what it would mean if a widely accepted fact were untrue?

For example, what if the world were flat or we were the center of the universe?

By changing the truth of a fact, you’re changing the perspective. This strategy is a surefire way to spark the creative process. It could even help you brainstorm ideas for fictional writing and children’s books.

Tanith Lee’s award-winning Tales About a Flat Earth series is just that—a fictional series about life on a flat, square earth.

“I remember the first time I …,” “I remember the last time I …,” “I can see …,” “I hate writer’s block because ….”

Writing prompt s force you to create words and get into the meat of your piece.

You can even choose a writing prompt that lies outside of your topic, merely to get your creative juices flowing again.

For example, say you are writing a book on personal finance. Instead of choosing a writing prompt like, “When I first entered the world of dimes and dollars …,” you can choose a prompt like, “The first time I stepped into the arena …”.

By doing so, you’re taking your mind off the topic at hand and getting into the flow of writing.

Free writing is the act of writing for a set period without regard to reason, logic, grammar or spelling.

This method will help you overcome perfectionism  and unlock inner creative resources you didn’t know you possess.

You can free write about whatever you want.

A story about the kraken in the sea.

A biography of your favorite short story author.

Or even your current writing project .

You don’t have to use what you free write about in your final piece.

As the author and artist Natalie Goldberg says in Writing Down the Bones, “Keep your hand moving.”

Rather than writing polished prose, free writing offers a chance to write down anything you want, including your secret opinions and thoughts.

It will help you open your creative well and get words onto the page.

Professionals keep schedules, so you should too.

For some people, dedicating 25- to 30-minute intervals of undistracted writing time each day is sufficient.

Short story writer Sylvia Plath wrote  in The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath , “I won’t get my writing schedule from outside—it must come from within.”

Your schedule must be specific to what works for you.

For example, you could decide, “Every weekday morning from 06:00 a.m. to 07:00 a.m., I will engage in my writing process and write a chapter for my book.”

If you really want to go crazy, you can be like Forbes contributor and Calender CEO John Hall. He plans out every minute of his day to achieve high productivity.

If you’ve worked hard on a painful chapter or article, perhaps you just need a break.

Tiredness isn’t conducive to creativity. What’s more, feeling frustrated will hamper your productivity. Sometimes, procrastinating has its place in creative work.

Commit to returning to your book or stories at a specific time, when you’ve eaten, slept or recharged.

Start again with a positive mind. Convince yourself beforehand that this writing session will be fantastic and you’ll get those creative juices flowing.

Learn how to prevent busyness from becoming burnout so you can get back to achieving your writing goals with a productive mind.

A moment of inspiration could even strike while you’re away from the blank page.

Exercise is scientifically proven to encourage creative thinking. It’s good for you too.

According to this article  from LiveStrong.com:

“Thinking, behaviour and emotion control, planning and creativity are all functions regulated by the frontal lobe of your brain. These functions are activated and can be strengthened when you do exercises like ballet, tae kwon do, ping pong and Zumba—exercises that use the frontal lobe.”

What’s an even better benefit?

Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, which can heighten your alertness and energy.

After a good workout session, you will get the creative juices flowing faster.

Need more proof? Check out how exercise is an entrepreneur’s biggest competitive advantage .

Sit on a large cushion, close your eyes and concentrate on your breath for five or ten minutes.

If you meditate every day, you will cultivate an ability to focus on your messy first drafts for longer periods.

Film director and screenwriter David Lynch  meditating twice a day helps him unlock creative thinking. He recommends this practice to anyone engaged in the creative process.

Ever heard of binaural beats?

Binaural beats provide an alternative way to meditate. The meditator listens to sounds through headphones. Each earbud receives a different frequency, and a third frequency results in the brain as a mathematical result of the two. The brain will then start to produce brain waves at the rate of the third frequency. 

Binaural beats are said to reduce stress. Even better, they are thought to increase relaxation, creativity, and information processing.

You don’t have to be nasty, but you can use this contrarian point of view to overcome writing blocks.

What’s the problem with their work? Is it too biased? Or maybe you don’t like a character or argument within their work?

You don’t necessarily need to write or publish a rebuttal. Instead, analyzing someone else’s work will help with finding your writing voice . You might even find argumentative strategies for your work.

11.   Use Oblique Strategies

Use Oblique Strategies  by Brian Eno and Peter Schmidt. You can find the full set of strategies here .

What are Oblique Strategies?

They were initially created in 1975 by these two musical artists. Each card presents a dilemma designed to spark lateral thinking and creativity.

Here’s one: Imagine the piece as a set of disconnected events.

Often writers forget their artistic and creative roots. Using the Oblique Strategies is a great way to find new and intriguing story ideas. They act as a kind of template for more inspired thinking.

Preferably without lyrics.

Music is scientifically proven  to encourage the creative process and expressive thinking.

What’s more?

Music calms anxiety and neural activity.

Most people find that music or sound at a low to medium level is best for productivity.

I keep a playlist on Spotify of ambient music that enables me to enter a state of creative flow faster. I listen to this playlist early in the morning while wearing noise-canceling headphones.

If you have a problem focusing while music is playing, you can always try listening to binaural beats. This is a special type of music best experienced while wearing headphones.

It stimulates brain waves and can help you work, focus, study and write.

Depending on where you write, you can adjust noise, temperature, light or the surrounding space.

Ambient noise , like that of a coffee shop, fosters creative thinking. Studies show that a moderate noise level is the optimal amount of stimulation for the brain during the creative process.

Moderate noise increases the difficulty of processing, which increases abstract processing and creativity. With more creativity and abstract processing, it will be easier to put ink to paper.

A study  by Cornell found increasing office temperatures from 20℃ (68℉) to 25℃ (77℉) reduced employee errors by 44%. Feeling cold consumes more energy while feeling hot complicates focusing on your work.

Find a space with natural light . Working next to a window boosts productivity, provided you don’t stare out the window for hours.

(If you do, try moving your desk so it faces away from the window.)

Maybe you have functional fixedness on messy areas. You might believe an untidy room produces mental clutter.

But you could be wrong.

When sparking creativity is a problem, some people find they’re more creative in a messy space. Objects lying about might spark inspiration.

Other writers (like me) prefer a clean and tidy workspace.

Write down 10 ideas each day and review them at least once a week. Do this for six months, and you’ll never be short of ideas again. James Altucher  considers this habit part of his daily practice.

You might unearth ideas unrelated to what you’re writing .

On a given day, Altucher might create a list of ideas for stand-up material. The next day, he’ll jot down 10 ideas about a business he wants to start.

How does he come up with so many ideas?

By strengthening his “idea muscle” and putting it to use every day.

If you are struggling with writer’s block, try making a list of 10 things you want to include in your current writing project.

If that’s too hard…

The harder you make your brain work, the more outlandish ideas it will produce.

Ah, the nonfiction writer’s best friend.

A swipe file  is a digital or paper file where you keep all of the brilliant ideas you’ve come across throughout the years. It’s a staple of professional non-fiction writers and copywriters around the world.

You can swipe headlines, openings, great lines, pictures and ideas for your articles into your file and refer to them when stuck.

Record observations, pithy sayings, quotes, facts and snippets of information for use later.

To keep it organized, I suggest you:

• Keep multiple books
• Number your pages
• Keep a table of contents
• Keep an index

Ryan Holiday explains more .

18.   Journal About It

Still have writer’s block?

Write a journal  entry about it.

It’s still writing, and who doesn’t love to talk about themselves?

As short story writer Charles Bukowski said,  “Writing about a writer’s block is better than not writing at all.”

Even if you write a single sentence, at least you’re creating something.

Journaling can help you distinguish the reasons why you have writer’s block. Try writing about what you are feeling and thinking. I sometimes record writing tips I came across and journal about those when stuck.

According to a study  conducted by the University of Rochester Medical Center, journaling helps you, “prioritize problems, fears and concerns.” It can also help you identify your negative thoughts and behaviors.

Here’s how to use the Pomodoro Technique .

Sit down at your desk, set a timer for 25 minutes and don’t get up until the buzzer sounds.

If you didn’t write anything useful, at least you turned up.

Some days, that’s enough to cure writer’s block.

Once you have completed your first 25 minutes, take a two-to-three-minute break and then get to the next writing session.

After three or four sessions of 25 minutes take a 10-to-20- minute break. Fuel up and eat lunch or take a quick stroll around the neighborhood and clear your mind.

Many free Pomodoro timers are available, such as Be Focused  for Mac, PomoToDo for iOS, PomodoroApp  for Windows and Brain Focus Productivity Timer  for Android.

Disconnecting is a great way to keep distractions at bay.

Unplug your internet cable, turn off Wi-Fi and close down your apps except for the one you use to write. That means no social media until you hit your target word-count for the day.

When best-selling author Jonathan Franzen was writing his novel Freedom, he superglued his Ethernet connection so he couldn’t get online. In other words, he put writing his book over a functioning laptop.

Don’t want to wreck your computer? Neither do I. Use pen and paper.

The battery life and screen resolution will surprise you.

Writing with pen and paper connects you to the creative process in a way that a digital tool never will.

Analog tools can also spark creativity and ideas and bring your artistic persona to the fore.

If you’re a member of a writing group, tell them about a deadline and your plans to meet it.

The prolific blogger Leo Babauta is a believer in the power of public accountability.

Find a peer who will hold you to your word, someone who will push you to persist and get the job done. Then your job is to meet the deadline. Prove you are capable.

Write down what you’ve accomplished   so far.

Research? Done.

Opening angle? Done.

Writing the first draft ? In progress.

Acknowledging your accomplishments unlocks a sense of pride. It’s a reminder that you’re making progress even if you feel stuck.

Perhaps you need to interview an expert for your article or book?

Perhaps you should read a book to inform your research?

Or maybe your outline needs work.

By planning out your next steps, you can take action and move your writing forward in some small way.

Remember, don’t spend too long planning your writing instead of working.

Reread your favorite piece of your own writing.

If it helps, try identifying a few elements that you liked, such as:

• Transitions
• Sentence length
• Sentence structure
• Point of view

Ask yourself what you liked and disliked and how you can try a similar approach in your current work.

If you have difficulty with what you’re working on, write about how it feels.

Is your current writing project making you feel angry, sad, discouraged or excited?

Now expand.

Let your anger or frustration become fuel.

Write down   the   strengths of what you’ve written so far.

Is your opening hook compelling?

Is your research original?

Are you on   FIRE?

Determine which areas are working and focus on those.

Write down   the   weaknesses   of what you’ve written so far.

Is it too long?

Is it too short?

Figure out what’s wrong and fix it.

This method works better if you do it alongside the previous draft.

Through identifying the flaws in your writing, you can determine why you’re blocked.

Taking the time to identify the weaknesses in your writing will help you overcome writer’s block and simultaneously improve what you’ve written.

Explain your topic from a different point of view.  

How would a reader, colleague, friend or even your cat (as a dog lover, I never understood why the internet loves cats) approach this topic?

Does this add a new emotion or tone to your writing?

Does it spark any new ideas?

Like everything in life, sometimes a new point of view clarifies your thinking.

30. Annotate, Annotate, Annotate  

Annotate the books you read and highlight essential sections.   Then review these annotations for ideas, material and inspiration.

Maybe you’ve stumbled across a brilliant metaphor or a page of power words that is sure to engage any audience. Perhaps you have discovered a smart way to link to ideas discussed in previous sections.

Keep your annotations in mind and refer to them when you are feeling stuck.

Use these ideas as inspiration to kick-start your creative process .

Tip: If you read on a Kindle, you can access all your annotations via the Amazon Kindle cloud reader .

Do you want to entertain, inform, educate or inspire readers?

Determining the purpose of your work will define what style and tone your writing should take. It will also help you figure out what information to include.

Once you have found the purpose, you can refer to other pieces you’ve read that serve the same purpose. From there, gather a few new ideas that will get you on your way.

Outline your article.   Use single words and lists to identify key themes or topics. Outlining your article will help you organize it in advance.

If it helps, define what’s missing and what you need to elaborate on.

If you’re a visual thinker, try a mind map . 

Keep in mind, however, a mind map should focus on one central topic or idea and expand from there.

Professional writers and amateurs alike use mind mapping. Mind mapping is incredibly prevalent within university by PhD students. Fiction authors also use these to spark ideas for children’s books, thrillers and more.

You can outline or mind map a blog post , a book chapter or even to brainstorm a character.

If you let your internal editor censor your writing during its first draft, you’ll never move beyond the first 100 words.

Stopping to edit yourself interrupts the flow of your writing session. Get the words on paper, and then go back and revise.

Write in the morning.

Edit in the afternoon.

Does your audience scare you?

Don’t worry, even best-selling author John Steinbeck felt this way.

Steinbeck suggested imagining you are writing to a particular individual instead of an audience.

He said it will rid you of the terror of addressing an audience and help you feel more confident.

So pick someone you know (and like!) and write for them alone.

Sometimes writers feel blocked because of an input problem. You can’t create indefinitely without adding some fuel to the fire.

Take a day off to visit a museum.

Read a great book.

Watch an inspiring film.

Let other people’s creative work recharge you.

36. Pray (Kind Of)

Recite the prayer to the Muse.

Not sure why this prayer  is important?

Read The War of Art  by Steven Pressfield.

By now, you should understand that writer’s block is cured once you treat the craft as a profession.

Out of ideas? Read what inspires you.

Struggling with your nonfiction? Interview an expert.

Feeling tired? Exercise or sleep.

Can’t focus? Meditate.

Out of practice? Free write or journal.

That said, here are some popular analog and digital tools that will help you beat writer’s block based on the above strategies.

• Speech to text software
• Mind mapping software
• A meditation app like Headspace or Waking Up
• The Oblique Strategies
• White noise, binaural beats or ambient music
• A swipe file
• A commonplace book
• Pen and paper
• Freedom or web-blocking software

Writer’s block is a funny thing.

Some days, the fear of writing is more difficult to overcome than sitting down and actually writing.

On other days, the words come quickly and easily, and you realize what a joy it is to fill a blank page.

The next time you feel afraid of the blank page or when you feel like you have writer’s block, try one of these strategies.

Find what works for you and stick to it. Remember, your job is to turn up, write and share your work with readers.

Have you got questions about overcoming writer’s block?

Ask me below.

Get Help Beating Writer’s Block

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Bryan Collins is the owner of Become a Writer Today. He's an author from Ireland who helps writers build authority and earn a living from their creative work. He's also a former Forbes columnist and his work has appeared in publications like Lifehacker and Fast Company.

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Nathaniel Tower

Juggling writing and life

How to Get Over Writer’s Block – 17 Proven Tips

Last Updated on February 18, 2024 by Nathaniel Tower

Whether you’re a brand new writer or a seasoned veteran with a handful of bestsellers to your name, there’s one thing that’s inevitable: writer’s block.

Every writer struggles with writer’s block. Even great writers deal with this dreaded condition. Whether you’re writing for work or pleasure, writer’s block can set in at nearly any time and wreck your productivity. When it happens, it can make even the best writers feel completely helpless. Fortunately, there are quite a few ways you can overcome writer’s block.

What is writer’s block?

Before we dive into the ways to beat writer’s block, let’s clearly define what writer’s block is.

Simply put, writer’s block is the inability to write productively .

Here are two primary symptoms of writer’s block:

• You can’t come up with anything to write. You just sit in front of a blank page and can’t physically writer anything.
• You can write words, but they aren’t satisfactory or don’t fit together cohesively to form the piece you want to write.

In other words, writer’s block prevents you from getting the task of writing done. It doesn’t mean you aren’t trying, nor does it mean you’ve lost your skills as a writer. It means your ability to write is being hindered by some internal or external force. Whether this is a mental obstacle or physical barrier will depend on your exact circumstances. Either way, writer’s block affects every writer and can have a dramatic impact on your production.

Writer’s block can be especially frustrating for writers who have limited time on their hands. If you have a full-time job along with parenting duties, writer’s block can be a crippling experience that makes you question whether you even want to write at all. Just imagine: after a long day of work and parenting, you finally sit down to write only to have nothing come out.

What causes writer’s block?

Writer’s block can occur for many different reasons, and it can vary from day to day. You might have the best writing session of your life on Sunday and then come back on Monday with a dozen things that prevent you from writing.

Here are a few of the most common reasons writers experience the inability to write:

• Mental fatigue – Your brain is too exhausted to get the right words out.
• Tiredness/sleepiness – Your body is too physically tired to write.
• Lack of motivation – You don’t really want to write.
• Lack of a good idea – You have nothing to write about (or what you’re trying to write about isn’t very good).
• Distraction – Your mind and/or body is constantly wandering to other things.
• Doubt – You don’t think you can be a writer.
• Self-criticism – You don’t think what you’re writing is good enough.
• Sense of failure – You feel like you haven’t succeeded as a writer up to this point, so you don’t think it’s worth trying.
• Lack of routine or organization – Your writing habits are too messy and prevent you from writing.

None of these things mean you aren’t a good writer . They are temporary obstacles that you can overcome with the right routine and positive thinking.

Before you can determine the best writer’s block tip, you need to understand the cause of your writer’s block.

Is writer’s block a myth?

Some writers swear that writer’s block isn’t a real thing. They call it an excuse. While there are some writers who never seem to experience this phenomenon, it’s certainly not a myth. The inability to perform has been well-documented in many different walks of life, including writing. Saying it’s just a myth won’t help you overcome it. Understanding the root cause of your writer’s block and trying proven methods for beating it will get you writing again.

17 easy tips to overcome writer’s block

A lot of lists of writer’s block tips consist of a bunch of things you should write instead of whatever you are trying to write. However, when you are experiencing writer’s block, you sometimes can’t write at all. The tips below primarily focus on things to do outside of writing that will help you get back in the writing mood.

When writer’s block sets in, don’t sit there for hours trying to force yourself to beat it. Instead try one or more of these tips from expert writers to beat it.

1. Reread the best thing you’ve written

Looking at something great you’ve created can inspire you and remind you that you can do this. If you’ve been published in print, grab a copy of that book or magazine and read your own work out loud to yourself. Take joy in your own great writing. You are a writer, and you will beat this!

2. Read a chapter from your favorite book

The words of others often inspire us to write. Pick up your favorite book and devour those amazing words. As you read, think about what the author did to make you love this writing so much. Put yourself in that author’s mind and try to imagine what writing this book must have been like. Make sure to limit yourself to a single chapter so your writing session doesn’t turn into a reading session.

3. Listen to a favorite song

It doesn’t matter if it’s classical, The Beatles, heavy metal, or a guilty-pleasure pop song. Listening to one of your favorite songs will put you in a happy place that makes you forget about the fact that you can’t write. And when you’re in a better mood, you can often be more productive with your writing. Try one of the best albums to listen to while you write .

4. Have a snack

If you’re too hungry or thirsty, it might be your stomach that’s keeping you from writing. Get yourself a nice little snack. Don’t stuff yourself full or chug a bunch of booze, but give yourself enough to keep those hunger pangs away. While some writers swear they write better when drunk, you shouldn’t try to incorporate a lot of alcohol into your routine to beat writer’s block. It might leave you with a headache or render you unable to write at all.

5. Go for a walk or a run

Inspiration often comes when you’re exercising, especially if you’re doing it outdoors. As you get a little sweaty, take the time to get lost in the world around you and let that be your inspiration to write. Just be careful not to run too fast or you might forget to think or wear yourself out and leave yourself too tired to write later.

6. Phone a friend

Having a conversation with a friend, especially another writer, can inspire you to write something. It’s okay to talk about your writer’s block, but that doesn’t have to be the center of your conversation. Chances are, your friend has had writer’s block before, so you might be able to get some additional advice. But this is also a time to connect and focus on things other than not being able to write.

7. Turn off your phone

The famous writers of yesteryear had it easy. They didn’t have an endless string of distractions at their fingertips. A smartphone is an absolute curse for writer’s block. You’re better off not even having your phone around when you’re writing.

8. Meditate

Sometimes we can’t write because our minds are too busy or because our minds and bodies are exhausted. Meditating can help this all melt away. Put yourself in a quiet space with no distractions, close your eyes, and just focus on your breathing. Don’t try to think about anything. This isn’t the time for you to create writing ideas. Just relax.

9. Eliminate temptation by locking down your computer

Temptation exists everywhere. You’ve already turned off your phone, but your computer gives you millions of options other than writing. Fortunately, there are lots of tools available to help you eliminate these distractions without switching to a typewriter. A few of the best tools are:

• FocusWriter

Or you could always just try using pen and paper instead of your computer. I often beat writer’s block simply by switching to a trusty old notebook.

10. Offer yourself a reward

It’s okay to motivate yourself to write with a tangible reward. Use something you’ve wanted to buy for a while as your motivation. If you can get through this writing session successfully, then you can purchase something from your Amazon wishlist. But don’t use this trick too often or you might go broke!

11. Take a break

One trick for when you can’t sleep is to get out of bed for a bit. Try this same approach when you have writer’s block. Instead of sitting at your writing station, get up and do something else for 15 minutes. Fold laundry. Do jumping jacks. Organize your sock drawer. Whatever you do during the break, keep it relatively mundane. If it’s boring enough, you won’t be able to contain your writing excitement when you get back to it. And when time is up, make sure you get back to your writing environment with no excuses.

Most writers feel like they have to write every day , but sometimes it helps to take a day or two off instead. Don’t just sit there staring at a blank page or screen. If nothing is coming to you, don’t try to force it.

12. Do a brain exercise

Sometimes your writer’s block comes from lack of mental stimulation. You need to flip the brain on to get writing. By doing a quick brain exercise such as a brain teaser, a puzzle, etc., you can motivate your brain to come up with the power to write.

13. Stop trying to be perfect

This is especially applicable if you are in the drafting phase, but it can work for any writing session. A lot of our writer’s block comes from only wanting to write the perfect words and not wanting to make any mistakes. Accept that you won’t be perfect every time you write and just get your thoughts out on the page. Remember, you can always edit them later.

14. Think positive

Since doubt and self-criticism are two major causes of writer’s block, it’s important to remind yourself that you can do this. Instead of focusing on how you can’t write at the moment, think of all the good things you’ve accomplished. You don’t have to focus solely on writing. Just take a few minutes and only let positive thoughts enter your mind. Then turn back to your computer and start to write.

15. Write something else instead

As I mentioned at the top of this list, most of these tips encourage you to do something besides write. Those tips are especially helpful when you find yourself completely unable to write. In some cases, writing something else will work wonders. When the words aren’t flowing on the manuscript or document you’re trying to write, then shift gears and write something else.

It often helps to write something that doesn’t require as much energy to get you started. For example, if you can’t get anything out for your novel, just write a paragraph about your day. Or even just write a list. This is a great trick to use when you really want to write but can’t will yourself to write the task at hand. Sometimes the simplest way to overcome writer’s block is simply by writing!

Here are some things you can try writing instead when writer’s block hits:

• A paragraph about your day
• An outline for your next story or piece
• A list of your favorite things to write about
• A list of your goals as a writer
• A goofy story that’s fun to write but doesn’t take much thought
• A simple writing exercise
• Pretty much anything else that’s easy to write and can build your confidence while taking your mind off your temporary failures
• If you prefer a more challenging writing exercise to break out of your writer’s block, try one of these great short story ideas

While not every trick is guaranteed to work every time, these tips are proven to get writers of all levels back in the flow of a great writing session.

16. Set deadlines

Setting a deadline can be an effective way to beat writer’s block because it forces you to sit down and write. When using deadlines to beat writer’s block, make sure your deadline is real, and find a way to enforce it. What happens if you don’t meet the deadline. There needs to be a real consequence.

Mark the deadline on your calendar and make sure that deadline is clearly visible whether you’re writing or not.

17. Get some help from artificial intelligence

I’m not a big proponent of using AI writing tools to do your writing for you, but they can help you generate some ideas. If you’re completely stuck and just can’t figure out a way to move forward with your writing, give an AI tool like ChatGPT a shot. Just make sure you use it as a tool and don’t let it do your writing for you.

Bonus tips to beat writer’s block

If the 17 steps above don’t help you beat writer’s block, then here are a couple more ideas that could work:

Try a writing prompt – there are hundreds of great writing prompts or short story ideas that can help stimulate your brain into writing something great.

Test an AI-writing tool – AI, or artificial intelligence, writing is on the rise. While I’m not a big fan of AI-writing tools for a variety of reasons, they can help you overcome writer’s block by giving you some good ideas. Seeing what an AI writer produces can also make you more confident in your own writing!

Things that make writer’s block worse

If you are experiencing writer’s block, avoid the following things that might make it worse:

• Staring at a blank document on your computer screen
• Forcing yourself to keep working on the same thing
• Scrolling through Facebook or Instagram
• Doing anything on your phone
• Watching TV
• Doubting yourself
• Thinking negative thoughts about your writing
• Ignoring the root causes of your writer’s block
• Telling yourself that writer’s block isn’t real
• Waiting for inspiration to hit

None of these things are likely to get you into the mood to write, and several of them can be destructive to your writing habits. Always think positive and be proactive about getting back your motivation. It isn’t going to come to you if you just sit there.

Final thoughts on beating writer’s block

Remember, different things work for different writers. When you experience writer’s block, you should try different approaches to see what works best for you. What works one day might not be effective the next day, so don’t get stuck on one method.

The best approach for beating writer’s block is to start using one of these tips as soon as you feel writer’s block set in. The sooner you beat it, the more productive your writing session will be.

What are your tips for beating writer’s block? Share your secrets in the comments. And don’t forget to share this post on all your favorite channels.

How to Get Over Writer’s Block FAQs

How do you get over writer's block.

Getting over writer’s block can be as simple as walking away from your writing space for a bit or trying to write anything else, even if it’s not perfect or not what you wanted to write. There are lots of different tips and tricks you can try to get over writer’s block. The important thing is to find out what works for you and stick with it.

What causes writer's block?

Writer’s block can be caused by a lot of different things. You might be too tired or too distracted. You might be having a bad day. You might be trying to write something that isn’t good enough or doesn’t motivate you. Or you might just be doubting your abilities. When you are experiencing writer’s block, it’s important to figure out why and then find a method that will help you beat it.

How long does writer's block last?

Writer’s block can last as long as you allow it to last. It could be hours, days, or even weeks. Writer’s block will never be permanent unless you let it be. The sooner you address the core issue, the sooner you’ll be able to find a method that works to get you writing again.

Is writer's block a real thing?

Yes, writer’s block is a real thing that affects nearly every writer at some point in their career. Although some people claim writer’s block is a myth, it’s an actual physical or mental barrier that prevents you from being able to write in a given moment. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to overcome writer’s block.

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2 thoughts on “ How to Get Over Writer’s Block – 17 Proven Tips ”

Exactly what I needed to read today. Thank you!

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How to Get Over Writer’s Block [6 Tools Included]

How to get over writer's block and get your creative juices flowing again? We break down the science behind writer’s block and show you 6 tools to fight it.

Founder of Postwise.ai

Table of Contents

Understanding Writer’s Block

Common causes of writer’s block, overstimulation, high expectations, fear of rejection, external causes of writer’s block, the impact of writer’s block, real-life examples, j. k. rowling, leo tolstoy, stephen king, traditional methods to overcome writer’s block, change your environment, take a break, use mind mapping, create a schedule, introduction to ai in writing, ai writing tools: an overview, exploring ai-powered brainstorming, postwise ai, hubspot content assistant, ai as a writing coach, grammarlygo, ai for research and fact-checking, longshot ai, balancing ai assistance with human creativity, criticisms and limitations of ai in writing, frequently asked questions.

“Social media as initially being very dopaminergic, driving reward, surprise, and excitement, but very quickly transitioning to something more like OCD. The kinds of behaviors resemble an experiment if we were to look at ourselves through that lens.”

” Excessive expectations can narrow one's focus and limit the exploration of unconventional paths, stifling the potential for creative breakthroughs.”

“Why is suffering a major criterion for writer's block? Because someone who is not writing but not suffering does not have writer's block.”

“There were times when I had writer's block so bad that I thought I should be certified insane.”

" The problem is that some writers have the block; other writers have the wall."

• Inspiration: The hardest part about writing is finding and developing inspiration. AI tools help writers generate new ideas like titles, topics, and outlines to elaborate on concepts.
• Creation: AI tools facilitate faster writing processes and production. This feature helps you focus without burning out when working with multiple clients and deadlines.
• Research: Integral to writing but time-consuming. AI tools can instantly find facts, figures, and other supporting data to add to your content.

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Writer’s Block: Exploring the Cause and the Cure

Sean Glatch  |  April 11, 2024  |  6 Comments

Writer’s block—wanting to write and not writing—is a persistent problem that every writer (yes, every writer, even Stephen King ) deals with. At its simplest, it manifests as a lack of ideas. What do I write about? At its most pernicious, writer’s block can convince you that you lack what it takes to be a writer. We’re here to tell you: that’s simply not true.

Writer’s block is certainly a tough problem to solve. If we all knew how to get rid of writer’s block, the world would be overflowing with books, completed effortlessly and ahead of schedule.

Nonetheless, writer’s block doesn’t have to be chronic, or debilitating. In this article, we’ll look deeply into what causes writer’s block, and describe how to overcome writer’s block—in whatever way it might be manifesting in your writing. But first, what is writer’s block?

What is Writer’s Block?

What is writer’s block? It manifests in different ways in different writers. It might feel like you’re turning on a faucet, but the water has run out; it might feel like you’re hitting your head against a brick wall, jostling language, waiting for the words to arrive.

No matter how it manifests, all strains and variants of writer’s block share the same issue: a desire to write, and an inability to do so.

More specifically, it’s an inability to get into the flow of writing . The moment you set your pen tip to paper (or fingers to keyboard), your brain is plagued with questions, concerns, distractions. What do I write about? I don’t know how to write that. Where do I start? That wouldn’t make sense. Is this something I would write? I should really do the laundry first.

What causes writer’s block, and how do you staunch the flow of intrusive thoughts? Let’s dive deeper.

What Causes Writer’s Block

Every writer experiences different roadblocks on their writing journey. Some of those roadblocks are external: rejections from literary journals, disagreements with book publishers, a lack of time and resources, and the like.

However, far more of those roadblocks are internal: self-doubt, perfectionism, low motivation, etc. The internal roadblocks we face around our writing practice are what cause writer’s block.

Our internal roadblocks in our writing practice—self-doubt, perfectionism, low motivation—are what cause writer’s block.

In writer’s block, something internal dams the flow of creativity. Our internal worlds shape how we access our creativity , so getting rid of writer’s block means working through whatever psychological barriers are inhibiting us.

The secret to a successful writing habit is writing every day, without inhibition or prescriptive judgments. So, to overcome writer’s block, we need to work towards a productive writing mentality.

6 Manifestations of Writer’s Block

Below are six common types of writer’s block, broken down one by one. For each type, I give advice I’ve collected and experimented with over the years on how to cure writer’s block.

Here’s what to do when…

1. Writer’s block: You feel motivated but uncreative

Often, feeling boxed in mentally is the result of feeling boxed in physically. When we’re confined to the same familiar spaces, our brains fall into repetition, and we create habits of stasis rather than habits of imagination. You need something to kickstart that creative flow.

Sometimes, the solution is to simply daydream.

Sometimes, the solution is to simply daydream. What happens if you spend an hour staring at the ceiling or out the window—what worlds can you come up with when undisturbed from technology or other people?

Try putting yourself in new, unfamiliar spaces.

Other times, you might need to kick your brain in action by putting yourself in new, unfamiliar spaces. Maybe find a new space to write: a hidden park bench, the back of a library, your best friend’s balcony, anywhere.

2. Writer’s block: You feel creative but have no motivation

Sometimes the opposite is true: you can dream up new stories, worlds, and metaphors, but you can’t seem to put them on the page. Why won’t the words come out?

Create an environment and schedule conducive to writing.

This is where creating a writing habit becomes useful. We need to train our brains to write by creating an environment and schedule conducive to writing. If you can make yourself sit in the same space at the same time every day, you will encourage your creative motivation through sheer force of repetition.

Where do you feel most creative? It may be at your desk or in the kitchen; it may also be in the bathtub, on your roof, or squirreled away in the closet. Find where you’re most creative, and write there frequently.

3. Writer’s block: Self-doubt is getting in the way

For some people, overcoming writer’s block means overcoming the voice of self-doubt. Self-doubt is only natural: when we write, we’re creating new worlds and human beings. That’s a tall order, and it can be easy to doubt that you’re writing “the right way.”

Self-doubt is a natural response to writing, but it doesn’t have to inhibit your creative flow.

Self-doubt is a natural response to the writing process, but it doesn’t have to inhibit your creative flow. Otherwise, you end up justifying your own self-doubt, which prevents you from writing the next Pulitzer Prize-winning book.

This is one of the hardest writer’s blocks to work through, but you’re not alone in feeling it. Many successful authors have their fair share of self-doubt. John Steinbeck, for example, wrote that he was “assailed by [his] own ignorance and inability” while writing The Grapes of Wrath —that great American novel which did win a Pulitzer.

Often, self-doubters will assume their work will be meaningless before it even reaches the page. If you’re experiencing a bout of writer’s block and doubt your ability to create, try to hold back that judgment. Allow yourself to write, even if that writing doesn’t meet your standards: you can always edit later, and the act of creation is the most important thing a writer can commit to. Think of it this way: every word you write brings you a word closer to the Nobel prize.

4. Writer’s block: You’re out of ideas

You want to write, you’re feeling creative, and you have time to sit at your desk and produce something. There’s only one problem: what do you write about?

First, ask yourself this: are you struggling to come up with ideas at all, or are you dismissing every idea you come up with? If it’s the first one, then prompt generators are your best friend. Hit refresh as many times as you want, add or subtract certain requirements, and have fun in the sandbox of language. You won’t be out of ideas for long!

You might also find writing exercises, like the ones in this article on literary devices , useful for juicing your creativity.

If it’s the second problem, then you might need to take a step back and actually slow your thoughts down . You might be rushing through ideas too quickly, and rather than finding your groove and setting words on the page, your thoughts are spinning like tires in a ditch.

This is your reminder, then: slow down, chew through your thoughts slowly, and imagine yourself inside of your ideas. You might find something unique or surprising, and realize that everything you need as a writer is already inside of you.

5. Writer’s block: You’re too exhausted to write

Let’s face it: this world was not built for writers. Very few of us have the luxury of dedicating our entire lives to literature: we have jobs to work, bills to pay, kids to raise, and thousands of decisions to make. When we find time to sit at the writing desk, we don’t always have the energy to write.

Try to block out some time, even just 5 minutes, to journal or dream on the page before going to sleep.

Our personal and professional lives are often what causes writer’s block. If this is the case, but you really want to write, then take a step back and focus on your needs first. Try to block out some time, even just 5 minutes, to journal or dream on the page before going to sleep. Over time, this habit will start to produce the writing you want to create.

Overcoming writer’s block usually begins with habits, and habits can overcome even the fatigue of day-to-day life. Be gentle with yourself, but be diligent!

6. Writer’s block: You aren’t sure what causes writer’s block for you

If all writers knew the reason they couldn’t write, then they’d know how to cure writer’s block. Sadly, this isn’t the case. It might take a couple of weeks to diagnose yourself with writer’s block, and it might take a couple more weeks after that to figure out the block. This is something that, sooner or later, most writers grapple with.

If you’ve made it this far into the article and you’re not sure what’s causing your block, try the following. Grab an empty sheet of paper and write the words “I can’t write because…” and then finish the sentence. Jot down as many reasons as you want, including false reasons, made up scenarios, and creative fantasies. If you can’t write because you’ve been abducted by aliens, write it down—and, consider what that could be a metaphor for.

Then, write another sentence: “I want to write because…” and do the same thing. Write because you want to win an Edgar Award, or because you want to heal from something emotional, or because you want your book read in high school English classes.

Finally, write this: “I will write because…” and go from there. I will write because I can. I will write because I’m good at writing. I will write because I’m bad at writing. I will write because I want to, and that’s all the reasoning I need.

This is an exercise in self-dialogue, which helps us navigate our emotions through the sheer act of creation. Instead of overcoming a block in the flow of language, try diverting the river, see where it leads you.

How to Get Rid of Writer’s Block: Make Writing a Habit

Ultimately, working through writer’s block is about developing practices that make writing a habit—on good days, bad days, and everything in between. What this looks like is completely up to you and what will really work in your case. Start experimenting!

Overcoming Writer’s Block Starts with Experimentation

Experiment with where, when, and how you write.

Especially for newer writers, the best thing you can do is understand what writing habits are best for you. Experiment with where, when, and how you write to find a place and style of writing that consistently lets you get words onto the page.

Your next story or poem might be best written on a typewriter. It might also be best written while staring at your phone, tucked in bed at 1 in the morning. That’s not to promote unhealthy sleeping habits, only to suggest that “real writing” can happen in any space.

Maybe you’re too tired to write when you finish work at night. Try writing in the morning! Maybe your laptop keeps dragging you onto Twitter. Buy a notebook! Maybe writing feels boring and isolating. Try it in a coffee shop!

Another great way to get the words flowing is to join a writers group. Depending on where you live, you might find writing groups on sites like Meetup or Eventbrite. If all else fails, check your local library.

Clear away any preconceived notions of what “writing” looks like, and find what will make your writing process work for you. If you try to force yourself to write in one specific way, you might be stifling your creativity and preventing ideas from coming naturally.

Consistent Creative Motivation Comes from Creative Habits

Overcoming writer’s block means setting the words down, no matter how great, terrible, logical, or nonsensical they are. The most successful writers have learned how to get rid of writer’s block by experimenting with when, where, and how they write, found the processes that best suit their writing needs, and developed a rock-solid writing habit .

The most successful writers have found the writing processes that work best for them, and developed a rock-solid writing habit .

Stephen King writes 10 pages each day, even on weekends and holidays. Haruki Murakami runs a 5K to clear his mind. Allegedly, Agatha Christie liked to sit in the bathtub, eating apples and looking at crime scene photographs, especially when she was out of ideas. The lengths writers go to to write!

How to Stop Writer’s Block Before it Starts

Two practices are critical for both preventing and overcoming writer’s block: productive self-talk, and forming a writing habit.

Can writer’s block be prevented? Not entirely, but there are many things you can do to stave off a wave of blank pages. Each of the writer’s block exercises we’ll be recommending below involve at least one of the following two things:

• Productive self-talk, and
• Forming a writing habit.

These practices are critical. Even if you don’t have writer’s block, you should incorporate them both into your writing life.

Positive self-talk allows us to transcribe our emotional worlds onto the paper: if we believe in ourselves and trust in our feelings, then we can shut out the world and trust our fingers to create something beautiful.

And if we put ourselves in a certain place—both physically and mentally—we can “ Pavlov ” ourselves into being creative during certain parts of the day.

We have to coax our creativity out, in the same way you might coax a cat out from under the bed. Be patient, kind, and habitual; eventually, creativity will curl up in our laps.

Overcoming Writer’s Block: Join a Writing Community

Although writers are often solitary creatures, writing thrives best with community support . Involve some trusted writers into your creative habits: join our Facebook group or sign up for a creative writing class with our award-winning instructors. (We even have a course that’s all about juicing your creativity with daily writing prompts.) Let’s beat writer’s block together!

Sean Glatch

[…] and we must have all faced what is commonly known as Writer’s Block, namely times when we feel totally uninspired and utterly bereft of ideas. This is indeed a terrible feeling, the desperate state of intellectual thirst and hunger in which […]

[…] Here’s a pretty good article to check out. […]

“Imagine yourself inside of your ideas” I love this advice. Thanks for the links in #4– “prompt generator” and “literary devices.” I appreciate your motivation and techniques to CREATE A WRITING HABIT! —that’s my personal bugaboo. Great article to bookmark!

Keeping up with a writing habit is definitely my biggest challenge as well. Thanks, Julia!

The tortured writer depicted at the start of this article could be a doppelgänger for someone I know…

I feel so seen to know there’s a writer’s block from being too exhausted to write. That’s the story of my life. Thanks so much for the tips!

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9 Ways to Overcome Writer’s Block Using Generative AI

Table of contents

I've been a professional writer for over fifteen years, and dealing with writer's block never went away.

Recently, I learned to use AI to deal with this feeling of being stuck in front of the blank page:

• By getting completions for the one sentence I managed to write.
• By brainstorming topics
• By getting AI to ask me questions

There are other methods I found helpful. In this post, I'll share 9 methods I use to deal with the writer's block monster.

Overcome writer's block with this FREE AI writing tool > Overcome writer's block with this FREE AI writing tool >

Causes of writer's block

An in-depth review of past qualitative and quantitative studies and literature concluded that writer's block could be triggered by one or more of the following:

• Physiological causes which hinder cognitive processes, such as a lack of sleep, stress, or hunger
• Motivational causes such as a fear of criticism or not enjoying the writing process
• Cognitive causes that lead to poor planning or the need for perfection, which inhibits idea flow
• Behavioral causes like procrastination and irregular schedules

Do any of those sound familiar? Do you find yourself unable to write after a poor night's sleep? Are you paralyzed by the thought of being judged and receiving soul-crushing critiques? In turn, does that cause you to put off writing until the last minute?

Don't beat yourself up if you answer yes. You are not the first person to feel that way, and you certainly won't be the last.

Here are the 9 ways our team found most helpful in dealing with writers' block.

1. Use AI tools to help overcome writer's block

AI-based tools can help you overcome the stress of writer's block and find your flow and inspiration again.

Just write down the topic of your article, and ask Wordtune to continue writing.

Top tools include:

Wordtune feels like having a co-writer by your side, suggesting alternative phrasings and expressions in real-time as you type. It seamlessly integrates with your writing process, offering suggestions that can make your sentences more engaging and refined.

Combatting Writer's Block: When stuck on how to phrase a thought, Wordtune offers multiple suggestions. By having AI suggest alternatives and complete your sentences, you are much more likely to tackle writer's block without frustration.

ChatGPT is like conversing with a knowledgeable friend who's always available. You type in questions or prompts, and it responds with detailed answers, explanations, or creative content. The interaction feels fluid, making it easy to brainstorm or gather information.

Combatting Writer's Block: Whenever you're unsure about a topic or need inspiration, ChatGPT provides instant feedback and ideas, acting as a springboard for your writing.

Notion is a  workspace that feels like a blend of a notebook, planner, and database. I like to use it as my go to place to find everything I wanted to keep in the past. These include thoughts, tasks, and research. Everything is structured in a hierarchical way, making it easier to find what you are looking for.

Combatting Writer's Block: By providing a space to visually map out ideas, create outlines, and store research, Notion helps writers see the bigger picture. Notion also has a built-in AI feature, that gets prompts and generates content.

Perplexity.ai

Perplexity.ai uses advanced AI to research questions for you. Ask it anything, and it will come back not only with an answer, but the links and sources where it got the answer from.

Combatting Writer's Block: With Perplexity.ai, you can research before writing anything down. For people who suffer from writer's block that is due to lack of confidence with the validity of what you have to say, this tool is a huge help in finding sources that corroborate your ideas.

2. Brainstorm using AI

With a simple prompt, you can get AI to generate ideas on any given topic. It is vital that you have some knowledge on the topic you are brainstorming, so you can filter and pick the relevant topics it suggests.

3. Generate AI prompts

Today, everyone writing about prompts is referring to ways to deal with AI.

But in the past, prompts were used to train people, not bots.

Human prompts, writers prompts, were exercises that were used to generate ideas and overcome writer’s block.

The prompt could be as specific as you’d like. For example, here I asked AI to generate prompts to help me write about my emotions.

4. Work with AI-generated exercises

Writing prompts and writing exercises are quite similar, and the difference between them is nuanced. 

In my view, writing prompts are single sentence instructions that can be followed by simply writing a paragraph or short passage. Writing exercises, on the other hand, are more diverse tasks.

Check out the wide range of exercises below.

5. Stop thinking and just start writing

There's nothing more intimidating than a blank page and a blinking cursor that seems to be doing nothing but mocking you. If the intro is tripping you up, start in the middle. There's no right and wrong here. Nine times out of ten, you'll get inspired as you enter the process, and suddenly your piece starts to take shape.

According to screenwriter John Rogers:

"You can't think yourself out of a writing block; you have to write yourself out of a thinking block."

Write the first draft, even if it's messy. Don't judge yourself (we're often our own worst enemy) as you write it. No one ever needs to see that draft. From there, edit and move content around. Decide what's worth keeping and what needs to be addressed in more depth.

Perfectionism is known to prevent people from writing. You force yourself to write, but the first sentence you write is a few levels below what you expected. Editing and perfecting it is yet another obstacle. The solution here is to take that initial sentence and run it through an AI-writing tool like Wordtune.

In addition to choosing the better sentence, you will divide the two parts of writing into ideation and phrasing. As a result, you will gain the overall writing confidence you need to overcome writer's block.

6. AI can help with research

Great writers don't just open their computers and magically draft something mind-blowing. They take the time to research their topics, whether they're writing a blog post about e-commerce consumer behaviors or a murder mystery.

David Burkas offers some cold comfort that may be just what you need to hear:

"You're not missing the words; you're missing the research. All ideas are a combination of preexisting ideas. So, if you're 'out' of new ideas, it's probably because you don't have enough old ideas to combine. Go back and read more. Or spend more time mapping out the book. Don't show up to the keyboard without a plan and then tell the world you have writer's block. You're lying to us, and to yourself."

If you're drawing a blank because you still need to develop your point of view, stop trying to write. Start researching again or find a few experts to talk to. You don't want to steal their ideas but build on them with your insights and offer your audience a new take on the topic.

Otherwise, if you have enough ideas but need help figuring out how to organize your thoughts, try creating a mind map. Some people will use an online platform like Miro . I prefer to write each on a sticky note and move them around on a table like puzzle pieces until I understand how to connect each idea. Also, the physical act of writing creates more brain activity and helps the brain make deeper connections.

You can use Wordtune to summarize an article , so it can later help you form your own arguments and points. We can easily get stuck in our heads, and reading other people's work may often be the cure for our writing blockage.

7. Forget about perfection

Perfection doesn't exist. You can always do something better or edit something further, but you have a deadline and time constraint.

Ted Kooser once shared one of the best pieces of advice he ever received, and since he's a Poet Laureate, he must be doing something right:

"William Stafford, one of our great poets, said that the best thing to do about writer's block is to lower your standard, and it's the best advice to give someone who's stalled."

I'm not saying to turn in sloppy work. Instead, focus on producing excellent work that you're proud of, and don't let the elusive concept of perfection petrify you.

8. Set a schedule

There's no perfect time to write. Whether you choose to schedule your writing first thing in the morning or super late at night, it doesn't matter; the only thing that matters is that it's during a time when you feel productive. You need to find that sweet spot and block out that time to get to work.

Once you know your most productive hours, block those out for writing tasks. If you work in an office, mark your calendar as busy, so co-workers don't interrupt you. Put your phone on Do Not Disturb. Close all those tempting Google tabs and get to it during that time, even if it feels difficult.

Need more structure? Many productivity experts tout the benefits of the Pomodoro technique ; however, I've never found 25-minute concentration sessions beneficial for writing. If you're like author Tony Schwartz (or me), you might find more success with 90-minute sprints, which closely reflect our body's natural rhythms known as the ultradian rhythm .

9. Reward yourself

A recent study found that people who were frequently rewarded after completing small tasks enjoyed their work more than those who were rewarded when a long project was completed. Additionally, when people were rewarded early on in the process, they were more engaged and had a more positive attitude, causing them to be more motivated and produce better work.

So, reward yourself during each break if you choose to use one of the timed techniques. When you have to write 25 Google Ads, treat yourself each time you finish five.

Neuroscience: Your brain on writer's block

Your brain is a complex organ that is also somehow incredibly organized enough to control your thoughts, emotions, motor skills, breathing, and every other function by sending different chemical and electrical signals to your body.

Writing combines two tasks – using language and telling a story. When you write, two different areas of the brain are at work. On the left side of your brain, within the frontal lobe, is Broca's area , the part responsible for language. If this area is damaged, you would be diagnosed with aphasia and would have trouble actually understanding and forming words verbally. If you can write and express yourself under normal circumstances, this is not the cause of your writer's block, so say goodbye to the 'I just can't write right now' excuse.

What's plaguing you could stem from the inability to connect concepts and form a story – a key skill you need to have, regardless of whether you're writing non-fiction, how-to-guides, or crafting a brand story. In one study , scientists observed participants' brain activity during the two phases of the creative writing process: brainstorming and creative writing. During both stages, the language areas of the frontal lobe showed increased activity.

However, while brainstorming, participants showed additional activity in the parietal-frontal-temporal network, which is responsible for planning, problem-solving, manipulating information, and decision-making. When participants worked on the creative writing task, the motor and visual brain areas that control handwriting lit up, as did the temporal lobe, which controls automatic responses such as fear, other emotions, and fight or flight response.

Social and natural science agree that controlling your emotions and being in a good mental state can beat back the dreaded writer's block.

What the pros say about writer's block

When it comes to professional writers, there are two main camps: those who believe writer's block is a complete farce and those who understand how fear and perfectionism fuel the fire. Maybe some of their wise words will create an 'ah-ha' moment for you that will help you cure your own block.

One of my favorite quotes comes from author Philip Pullman:

"All writing is difficult. The most you can hope for is a day when it goes reasonably easily. Plumbers don't get plumber's block, and doctors don't get doctor's block; why should writers be the only profession that gives a special name to the difficulty of working and then expects sympathy for it?"

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld isn't a believer either:

"Writer's block is a phony, made up BS excuse for not doing your work."

Honestly, it's hard to argue with Pullman and Seinfeld's thinking. Writing is a demanding job, but so are plenty of other professions, and none of them get a free pass. That said, as someone who has experienced writer's block, many times it feels like a real issue.

On the other side of the aisle is one of my favorite self-help authors, Mark Mason , who, in his typical tone, says:

"Writer's block is just another name for anxiety. People always have something else to say. It's not like you ever run out of ideas. There's just a filter in our brains where we decide what is "worthy" of being put down on paper, and when that filter gets too strong (due to high expectations or fear of being judged or whatever), few ideas will get through it. This happens to me at times, and I just have to remind myself to chill out, get over myself (or my ego) and trust the process to take care of everything."

And Erica Jong :

"All writing problems are psychological problems. Blocks usually stem from the fear of being judged. If you imagine the world listening, you'll never write a line."

If you agree with these two writers (and the science), that might give you more insight into your writer's block.

The point is that, regardless of how they feel about writer's block, they all push through and get work done. That's what you need to do too. Now, let's see how you can bulldoze through because you've got a job to do!

Write more, stress less

Everyone has work challenges and has doubts about their output, writer or not. The more you stress, the harder it will be to move forward, so be kind to yourself. Having writer's block doesn't make you a bad writer - it's just another challenge to face. Learn which processes work for you and follow them. Embrace the creative chaos.

As Tony Robbins says, 'The secret of success is learning how to use pain and pleasure instead of having pain and pleasure use you. If you do that, you're in control of your life. If you don't, life controls you.'

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A Guide to Writer’s Block

February 16, 2024 by Richard Leave a Comment

What is Writer’s block? 

Welcome to a guide to writer’s block. We hope it helps. Writer’s block is a temporary psychological inability to begin or continue work on a piece of writing. Most writers will confront this frustrating obstacle at some point in their careers. Staring at the blank page or screen, struggling in vain to get those first words out – it’s a commonly exasperating predicament across all levels, from students working on essays to seasoned novelists and journalists on tight deadlines.

Essentially, Writer’s block stems from some disruption in the creative process, rendering the Writer unable to access their thoughts or translate ideas into written text. While it may superficially appear to lack inspiration, the reality is much more complicated. The causes and solutions for Writer’s block vary widely between individual writers and writing projects. Perfectionism, performance anxiety, poor time management, boredom with the topic, exhaustion, lack of motivation, depression, ADD, stressful deadlines, noisy environments – these and many other psychological and physiological factors can temporarily block the flow of writing.

When Writer’s block strikes, it might manifest as difficulty simply coming up with topics or ideas to write about in the first place. Ideas are swirling around, but the Writer feels overwhelmed and needs more confidence to execute them coherently. Struggling with the inner critic is common too – judging one’s writing too harshly or fretting excessively about audience reaction to risk getting started. Procrastination also frequently goes hand-in-hand with Writer’s block. The stresses of deadlines or fear of failure often trigger mental blocks precisely when writers must sit down to produce work. External pressures exacerbate internal anxieties, bringing writing temporarily to a standstill.

While immensely frustrating at the moment, Writer’s block generally passes in time, primarily when the root causes are addressed compassionately. Rather than reflecting any lack of skill or talent, it is a nearly universal occupational hazard – merely evidence of the challenges inherent to the profoundly human act of writing.

Who Gets Writer’s block

Writer’s block is a nearly universal occupational hazard across the board – no writer is immune from struggling with it at some point. That said, the frequency and severity varies between individuals. Ultimately, a wide range of psychological factors influence susceptibility.

Those on the perfectionist end of the spectrum are especially prone. Writers who judge their work excessively harshly or tie self-worth to success struggle when fears of failure arise. Similarly, writers paralyzed by imagined audience critique fixate on attempting to please rather than expressing freely. And having rigid protocols around required conditions or resources to write makes getting started precariously.

Creative types who thrive on bursts of enthusiasm and inspiration rather than a steady routine also run into blocks when motivation dips or mental energy depletes. Those still gaining confidence in their craft may second guess more frequently, too. Academically-trained writers relying predominantly on outlined structure can hit walls when initial organization plans falter.

Then, there are detailed triggers many experience during heavy workload periods – time pressure, distractions, stress, indifference, and exhaustion. Particularly high-effort projects like dissertations, manuscripts, grant proposals, etc, inherently strain mental bandwidth more too. Those balancing writing obligations amidst other professional or personal responsibilities are especially vulnerable to overload-induced blocks.

Blocks arise through complicated interactions of the individual psyche, specific project challenges, and real-life demands. Any writer who earnestly puts words on paper will inevitably encounter impediments along the winding creative way at times – fittingly humbling for such an arrogant pursuit! With self-compassion and adaptive strategies, Writer’s block transforms into mere bumps rather than barriers.

What Causes Writer’s Block 

The causes of Writer’s block are varied but often stem from psychological pressures familiar to anyone who writes. Perfectionism can be a significant trigger – writers who judge their work too harshly or fear it not being good enough may struggle to begin. Relatedly, performance anxiety plays a role, too. Fretting excessively about pleasing an audience or editor can make starting feel impossible.

Stress, exhaustion, and lack of motivation frequently trigger Writer’s block. Writing requires sustained focus and creativity – challenging to summon when overworked, tired, or apathetic. Being bored by the topic can also cause trouble getting going, as can more clinical issues like depression or ADD, making it hard to concentrate.

Then, outside pressures induce Writer’s block – onerous deadlines, competing obligations, and a noisy, chaotic environment allow little mental space for writing. Too many ideas swirling around at once can also be overwhelming, making it hard to transfer thoughts into coherent writing. For some perfectionist writers, simply having high expectations and placing immense pressure on an individual project triggers debilitating anxiety and hesitation. Ultimately, Writer’s block thrives on internal and external pressures that undercut concentration and motivation.

How to avoid Writer’s block

Make writing a regular habit instead of waiting for perfect chunks of inspiration and time. The routine of regular writing sessions helps grease the creative gears and maintains momentum through rough spots. Similarly, setting aside time to just brainstorm and play around with ideas without any pressure keeps the mind flexible. Freewriting to work through initial doubts and self-judgment instead of fixating on an “opening sentence” helps sidestep perfectionist tendencies when facing a blank page.

It also helps to break projects into manageable chunks instead of fixating on the whole. Setting clearly defined daily word or time count goals allows tangible progress. Focusing that day’s session on a specific subsection or scene makes the beginning manageable. Similarly, while clear structuring is vital, leaving some flexibility in the exact sequence sections is drafted and allows working on another part when stuck on one.

On a physical level, proper self-care bolsters mental focus – enough sleep, a healthy diet, regular movement, and social connection all make writing feel engaging. Switching environments to stimulate creativity is also helpful–writing in a new location like a café or park. Letting ideas percolate with breaks doing housework or other rote tasks gives mental space away from the writing itself. Having accountability touchpoints by sharing work regularly within a colleague group also incentivizes pushing past blocks when they arise.

With the diligent application of such strategies, Writer’s block transitions from an imposing barrier to a mere nuisance easily circumnavigated on the journey of consistent writing progress.

Mistakes writers make that exacerbate Writer’s block.

Writer’s block can be profoundly frustrating, sending writers into loops of unproductive rumination. This anxiety to make the words appear leads writers of all levels into counterproductive patterns. Attempting to power through sheer force will often backfire. Before such desperate measures, it helps to take a step back and reflect on the common missteps writers make when that blank page starts inducing panic. Often, Writer’s block results from the Writer’s unrealistic expectations and paradigms about the writing process. Check any of these mistakes off the list when that sense of futility arises:

• Letting perfectionism paralyze them – Writers facing a block often judge their work too harshly and want their writing to be perfect from the very first words. This Pressure they put on themselves makes it impossible to get started.
• Only writing when inspired – Relying solely on inspiration and motivation results in writing in fits and starts. Failing to treat writing like the real work it is means writers don’t develop a resilient practice.
• Not giving themselves permission to write badly – All writers, especially in early drafts, write plenty of bad and mediocre sentences. New writers often falsely believe others just sit down and write masterpieces straight away. Not giving themselves permission to write imperfectly causes blocks.
• Not taking breaks – Writers often respond to the frustration of blocks by endlessly staring at blank pages trying to force themselves to continue. Letting the mind rest and refresh with breaks and other activities is essential, however.
• Trying to start writing from the beginning – Facing that blank first page, writers attempt to craft some perfect opening line or scene. Jumping straight into drafting earlier or easier sections can let the writing flow more organically.
• Not getting enough sleep, food, or exercise – Writing requires mental energy which wanes quickly without proper self-care through sufficient sleep, healthy food, and regular movement. Ignoring these factors impairs essential cognitive skills like focus and working memory.

Essentially when writer’s block strikes, writers often undermine themselves with unrealistic expectations and attempts to brute force solutions. Addressing negative thought patterns allows more flexibility in how, when, and where you write.

100 strategies to overcome writer’s block

That dreaded sensation strikes all writers eventually – staring blankly at the intimidating empty page, fingers frozen over keys, mind stubbornly void of ideas. Writer’s block can make even starting a small paragraph feel insurmountable. Yet such frustrating creative impediments can nearly always be overcome. Through decades of studying master authors’ methods and counseling struggling writers, patterns emerge showing practical pathways around such common hindrances.

The following 100 tips and tricks for defeating Writer’s block are drawn from my own hard-won experience and diverse sources. They are designed to provide an inspirational toolbox creatives can consult whenever confronting that sense of futility. The sheer range covers various personality types and scenarios. Not every solution works perfectly for each unique writing psyche, but exploring the list provides diverse angles of attack to try. Whether longstanding habits or quick fixes, radical lifestyle changes, or momentary thought shifts – there are proven means to get the words flowing freely again. Each serves as a stepping stone across the m

• Taking a break and walking away for a while can work wonders. Stepping back from the frustrating block to let your subconscious mull things over allows fresh ideas to percolate. Go for a short walk, grab a snack, call a friend – any activity giving your creative brain some breathing room can help.
• Changing writing locations shakes things up productively. If you usually write at a desk, try moving to an armchair, café, library, back porch or different room. The novel stimuli can stimulate creative connections to get you unstuck.
• Setting a timer forcing yourself to write for a set period overrides procrastination tendencies. Challenge yourself to draft without self-editing for 10, 20 or 50 minutes straight, no matter how imperfect it feels. Forcing through the block this way builds momentum.
• Doing a free write without editing yourself removes barriers to getting words down. Just keep your hands moving nonstop for 5-10 minutes expressing whatever comes to mind on your topic. Editing later for coherence, the goal now is tricking perfectionism by embracing the ugly & random.
• Making a list of all ideas related to the topic captures fleeting notions for later review. Even what seems silly, obvious or unusable right now may germinate into something brilliant. So capture all brainstorm sparks before they flee, no matter how ridiculous.
• Talking it out loud to yourself or others lets thoughts flow freely without worrying about structure. Verbalizing ideas as if describing to a listener reveals associations, details, examples and entry points writing often misses. Discussing out loud is hugely generative.
• Writing by hand instead of typing shifts mental process in productive ways. The slower pace, tangible feel of pen on paper, ability to sketch visuals – analogue modalities stimulate ideas differently than keyboards. It primes creativity pumps when digitally drained.
• Changing font or layout when typing is another trick for triggering fresh avenues. Limit visual monotony by exploring different typefaces, text sizes, margins, line spacing etc. Tweaks providing aesthetic novelty spur creative links even if temporary.
• Listening to music while writing offers pleasurable atmosphere that lifts mood while possibly syncing rhythm to writing flow (upbeat songs for action scenes, moody ones for emotional moments). Either way, enjoyable audio boosts dopamine, focus, perseverance through blocks.
• Moving around while writing – walking or pacing – occupies the body so ideas can wander freely. Rhythmic movement seems to enable deeper contemplation for some as opposed to sitting rigidly still. Experiment to see if kinesthetic writing modes better unleash expression.
• Looking over research materials again reimmerses you in key information when needing reminder sparks. Refresh background facts, key images, primary sources etc. to reground the writing in original inspirations. Deepening grasp of material organically stimulates conveyance.
• Reviewing and editing previous passages gives concrete progress acknowledgement. Notice what is working smoothly and areas still needing development. It stimulates next phase forward movement by highlighting footholds already solidly in place through writing.
• Writing background notes and additional details crafts richer foundations for further building. Even if not used directly, fleshing out backstories and ancillary elements engages creativity gears for moving writing overall. And bonus material often proves perfect for later.
• Outlining only the next paragraph or section chunk makes tasks feel surmountable. Staring at whole unfinished projects is daunting, so shift focus to single component at hand. Treat each block of writing like individual puzzle piece snapped into place one by one.
• Describing the topic to an imaginary person lets thoughts flow conversationally rather than formally. Pretend explaining ideas to an interested friend or colleague. The visualization technique feels more natural than stiff writing voice, unlocking expression.
• Going for a run or other exercise boosts creativity by elevating heart rate and literally getting blood pumping through the brain. Physical movement and resulting biochemical cascades refresh mental clarity. Writing feels more fluid after sweating it out.
• Taking a nap or getting some rest restores focus that blocks drain away. Writing taps cognitive capacities which deplete without recharging sleep, nutrition, relaxation. Lying down for even 20-30 minutes can reboot whole outlook.
• Switching temporarily to another writing project redirects momentum rather than stalling it entirely. Work on whatever parts flow more naturally today across ongoing pieces. Ideas for stalled project may strike while writing something different.
• Setting very small or easy writing goals builds incremental progress. Tiny benchmarks feel achievable like: “Today I will outline section headers” or “I will write the dialog for one scene.” Small successes motivate tackling larger chunks.
• Rewarding yourself after reaching milestones acknowledges effort made. Enjoy favorite snack, show episode, outing, nap, etc. as treat for passing project landmarks. Having something positive beyond writing to look forward to ups incentives pushing through.
• Doing light housework occupying hands frees the mind for simmering on writing topics. Dishes, folding laundry, sweeping floors, pulling weeds – modest tasks barely needing conscious focus, thus freeing creative background processing.
• Brainstorming outlandish ideas pushes imagination boundaries beyond norm. Even if too odd for piece itself, getting deliberately weird and whimsical stretches creative boundaries in ways that lead to fruitful concepts eventually, counteracting mental ruts.
• Visualizing the completed piece and audience reactions grounds process in inspiring end goals. Imagining the feeling of sharing polished work with impressed readers fuels perseverance paying off eventually. Envision that future actualization when present seems uncertain.
• Writing the most exciting or interesting section first captures momentum not easily squandered. Identify the “peak scene” drawing you most as writer and audience. Perfect opener paragraphs can intimidate, so pivot to parts naturally flowing.
• Stepping away letting ideas percolate unconsciously cements innovations that consciously evade. Trip Hazards cease feeling like impenetrable barriers once no longer staring them down. Distraction allows solutions to arise stealthily over time if patient.
• Doing some freewriting prompts on random topics sidesteps blocks by ignoring them entirely for brief stints! Quick timed writing on unrelated subjects gets the fingers moving and creativity pumping freed from project constraints.
• Looking for inspiration analyzing other works across mediums sparks new connections. Study mentor authors, films, art, music etc. related to project themes and genres. Their clever solutions seed innovation applying elsewhere. Great creators are the greatest thieves!
• Imagining how your role models would write this adapts their skills to your undertaking. Picture literary heroes, beloved authors, renowned screenwriters etc. tackling your topic. What advice and techniques might they suggest? Adopting their mentality sees with fresh eyes.
• Listing personal stories, anecdotes or oral family histories provides meaningful details. Incorporate nostalgic moments, impactful life events, neighborhood tales etc. where relevant for resonant touches. Such genuineness emotionally grounds writing, propelling meaning.
• Changing narrative voice or point of view provides new vehicles for conveyance when old ones falter. Stuck in 1st person? Try 3rd. Can’t nail down past tense? Present tense may click better. Rotating vantage shifts whole outlook.
• Adding descriptive flourishes through sensory and emotive details deepens readers’ imaginary immersion. Sprinkle impressions engaging smell, taste, texture, colors, sounds etc. Freshening prose vividness makes envisioning easier for both creator and audience.
• Consulting writing reference manuals or style guides realigns chops when lost. Reviewing established conventions and guidelines provides comforting moorings when drafting adrift. Reconnecting with norms equips appropriate tools.
• Reviewing examples of similar pieces examines structures succeeding for others. Studying genres and formats related to undertaking maps possible routes by peering at other travelers’ trails. There are infinite ways to skin writing cats!
• Free associating lists of words sparked by key topics unlocks unexpected connections via tangents. Jot whatever terminology comes up around core themes, characters, messages, places etc. Brain liquifies paths forward releasing stuckness.
• Revisiting childhood keepsakes, diaries, or mementos offers windows back to originating visions once glimpsed but forgotten. Recall youthful imagination through old notes, drawings, report cards, photos etc. This assists regenerating initial passion diminished by adulthood‘s cynicism.
• Switching up playlists selects musical accompaniment to psychologically transport writing mood. Seek soundtracks evoking time periods, locations culture, characters or emotional tones related to current scenes. External audio kindles internal states.
• Closing eyes to actively imagine settings and characters renders them clearer for conveying accurately. Envision fictional people moving through spaces smelling, tasting, touching. Virtual reality in mind better manifests through descriptive specificity.
• Sketching illustrations around details, characters or settings aids cementing concepts spatially. Even amateurish stick figures, diagrams, doodles, maps help locate narrative elements concretely enabling better rendering through language.
• Brewing fresh cups of tea or coffee fuels writing marathons! Few things feel more inspirational than clutching steaming mugs, inhaling aromatic steam wafting promising possibilities! Stay hydrated.
• Looking at photos relevant to topics, time periods, locations, cultures etc. brings additional sensorial inspiration missing from words alone. Pictures offer perspectives language struggling to capture alone. A thousand words each!
• Jotting down dream notes upon waking preserves quirky epiphanies fleetingly transcending rational thought. Dreams often churn up wild, even nonsensical imaginings containing seeds usable with care. Record for later potential plucking!
• Revisiting early career works or juvenilia accessing original excitement once held for writing before external pressures doused the flame. Recall what drew you initial through unfiltered early pieces. Cultivate again!
• Composing written encouragement notes to yourself supply needed morale boosts during spirit sags. Highlight strengths, past successes and reasons undertaking meaningful. Internal memos grow determination facing difficulty.
• Exploring publications’ aesthetic styles through websites clues you into conventions readership expects. Notice what cover images, page layouts and repeating visual themes communicate niche demographics, values and trends. Write accordingly!
• Cleaning workspace removes mental clutter challenging focusing. Straighten physical materials into optimal configurations conducive for writing flow state. External order establishes internal calm allowing creativity rise ascendant.
• Organizing research documents whether print outs or computer files structures referenced information accessibly. Establish quick retrieval systems so details remain available precisely when writing requires their injection to progress meaningfully.
• Visiting naturally inspiring environments like parks, gardens, lakesides or lookout peaks surrounds with peaceful beauty, unlocking creativity too often lost amidst sterile boxes. Divine exquisite sensory details paying tribute to nature’s boundless artistry!
• Emailing ideas back and forth with a writing partner provides friendly accountability to continue persevering. Share encouragements, brainstorm suggestions, obstacle commiserations etc. fostering dynamism alone lacks without community spirit bolstering.
• Stretching hands, fingers, shoulders, back and neck loosens up writing muscles clenched from hunching over work too long. Simple yoga poses unlock energetic circulation carrying oxygen and inspiration once again zestfully round entire system!
• Meeting a friend casually over lunch lets conversation wander freely through topics loosely related to writing undertaking. Fresh insights arise bonding with comrades, enjoying nourishment receiving support by voice not eyes alone.
• Freewriting character dialogues sans plot structures refines understanding of distinctive speech patterns better rendered more authentically later. Let them chat naturally about anything strengthening peculiar personalities through sheer practice.
• Picking one sense like sight, sound, taste etc. then describing something solely related to it sharpens perceptive specificity too often dulled by habitual linguistic generality. Noticing precise qualities compels sharper writing overall.
• Incorporating personal stories, family anecdotes and oral histories taps easily accessible memories and meanings for resonance. Recall impactful life events, relatives’ tall tales, old neighborhood legends etc. mingling the intimately meaningful.
• Tackling small tasks like washing dishes, folding laundry or sweeping while ideas churn empties hands for thinking rather than typing. Repetitive activities occupy bodily habits while freeing contemplative currents largely uninterrupted!
• Perusing old journals, diaries and calendars reviewing years past sparks recollections once deeply meaningful now faded into background noise. Perhaps tales, turns of phrase or entire insights can be excavated, revised and incorporated anew!
• Analyzing literary mentor texts’ pacing, plot structures and linguistic choices reverse engineers successful techniques for fresh reemployment. Deconstruct precisely why and how touchstone works sweep your soul for lessons regarding own efforts.
• Creating an inspiration gallery wall filled with imagery quotes, photos, sketches, postcards etc. related to undertaking floods senses with aesthetic energies complementing writing spaces too often starkly devoid of sensual stimulation we thrive within.
• Luxuriating in lengthy hot showers or baths literally washing off sedimentary layers of stress thwarting freer movement whether muscular or mental. Aquatic immersion cleanses negative thinking patterns manifesting Writer’s Block while rebooting creativity currents!
• Streaming ambient background noise websites like Rainy Mood serving pleasant white noise hampers distracting disruptions while establishing atmosphere soothing jangled nerves. Cocooned away overwhelm enables processes flow unimpeded delighting focused minds.
• Burning aromatic candles – vanilla, lavender, pine etc. – sets soothing moods while marking sacred spaces for writing occurring here in pool of flicker warmth. Air freshens just enough for minds to do the same.
• Reading magazines, websites and blogs discussing topics addressed in writing pieces provides well rounded perspectives beyond personal takes alone. Discover how widely conversated ideas actually spread testing content against seriously varied outlooks.
• Doodling caricatures visualizing challenging characters’ essences makes comprehending and conveying traits easier via playful sketches encapsulating mysterious personas from varied angles. Graphical thinking stirs literary remedies.
• Utilizing text-to-speech programs reading back draft passages aloud casts new lights on flowed words once depended solely upon silent eyes for tweaking. Ears catch unnoticed gaps, clunky phrasings, redundancies inaccessible otherwise.
• Constructing checklists noting key writing portions completed, remaining in progress and yet to fully begin establishes navigable footholds steadying insecure steps forward bit by bit. Tick off victories then march onward!
• Having someone else read passages aloud while closing eyes to carefully, meditatively listen relegates judging instincts backwards allowing words’ intended meanings to organically shine or reshape untethered from habitual thought pathways that bind flows.
• Temporarily changing all characters’ or places’ names oddly liberates writer to develop them unstuck from original conceits allowing fresher dimensions less encumbered by prior assumptions regarding the roles they fill within established environments. Roles remain, names change, nuances flourish!
• Envisioning varied famous author archetypes approach identical writing scenarios in their own signature styles spurs contemplating the multitude methods creatively tackling projects far beyond singular mindsets blocking flexibility so essential for passages progressing.
• Mentally assigning frustrated thoughts to an imaginary “negative notions jar” symbolically containing vexations plaguing writing motivation creates welcomed distance from their persistent brooding allowing more positive instincts space emerging.
• Freewriting encouraging letters addressed “Dear Future Published Self” reinforces tangible envisioning completing works not solely for intrinsic rewards bringing personal meaning but for finally sharing printed books’ transformative potentials blessing others’ lives too through perseverant efforts paid forward over times.
• Muting digital distractions like email alerts to focus without perpetual fragmentation retains mental coherence concentric upon vital writing tasks sans scattered energies. Peacefully reading and writing again foster partnerships too often interrupted by technological intrusions disrupting creative intimacy flows.
• Researching relevant issues, historical controversies etc. provides springboards clarifying personalized positions passionately conveyed via writing. Understanding ongoing debates regarding activism informs credible commentary fans flames prime for fanning favored courses forward full steam ahead!
• Handwriting encouraging fan letters to cherished authors articulating inspirational impacts their ink cast upon your path pays tribute for particular ways guiding lights kept dreams aflicker during difficult phases. Grateful correspondence builds community!
• Closely studying publication venues’ online sites reveals insider angles regarding framing content matched with audiences sought. Adopt stylistic techniques attractive towards envisioned readerships waiting to discover kindred ideas delivered directly their predisposed preferences through tones well aimed.
• Printing drafts for tangible handling noticing serial patterns that escaped screen confinement allows fluidly shuffling sections smoother continuity cutting apart wholes then reconfigured continuation. Spatial freedom galvanizes structures anew.
• Tacking inspiring imagery above desks becomes perpetual muses invoking themed concepts instantly visualized furthering writing tracks in associated veins fluently streaming similar symbology. Surround creative spaces enriching immersive influences!
• Detailing auxiliary characters’ backstories reveals multidimensional understandings coloring their roles within main story arcs once flatly formulated without fully applying three dimensional renderings regarding realistic motivations and imagined backgrounds. Even extras gain dignity by dimensional understandings elevating their humanities.
• Streaming YouTube playlists specifically designed for writing inspiration synchronizes harmonic audio energizing keyboard tapped words timed to uplifting beats and empowering lyrics specifically selected supporting creative flows tuned by musical notes carried seamlessly without disturbances breaking seeded sequencing.
• Hand addressing project drafts as makeshift letters to yourself then waiting days for their “arrival” creates fresh excitement rediscovering temporarily forgotten pages now re-encountered as surprises reigniting momentum regained by intrigue felt rereading earlier ideas fermenting newfound facets unveiled.
• Decoratively hand writing signifying scene titles in calligraphy conveys special significances through gracefully illuminated language that cannot escape awareness even scanning pages later. Such ornamented emphasis elegantly ascents!
• Imagining friends’ commentaries on writings reveals praises and critiques alike evaluating what resonates and where loses traction. Such mental crowdsourcing forewarns passages provoking intended reactions or requiring revisions redirecting readers where originally veering ways incompatible with purposes held centrally shaping overall vision’s victory.
• Researching period appropriate attire down to textures and accessories cultivates engrossing visualizations fully dressing described eras in accurate manifestations mentally envisioned rather than vague generalities lacking sensuous specificities fused from studying beguiling photographs of bygone fabrics adorning bygone figures.
• Home baked sweet treats’ scent and flavors conjure childhood comforts kindling youthful amusement expressed through playful writing spirits echoing simpler eras’ easy delight found in little things sweeter sensations return through steadfast
• Using Google Earth to virtually tour geographical locations central to writing settings immerses within intricately detailed environments exploring miles not personally traveled. Marvel at satellite scoped scenes inspiring descriptive intricacies before eyes from atmospherically aloft.
• People watching public spaces studying strangers’ eccentricities nurtures noticing’s applicably animating fictional characterizations colored by highlighting observed oddities otherwise escaping attention if not focused finding fodder. Record visually verbal snippets for later laughs spawning dimensional portraits.
• Poring over antique dictionaries and thesauri reveals linguistic relics resurrecting dialogue authenticating eras analyzed. Dusty leather-bound tomes teach terms modern modes discarded direct dialing bygone vernacular vocabularies teaching tongues nearly lost.
• Consulting tarot and oracle card decks selects symbolic stimuli stirring scene concepts and plot directions corresponding with interpreted images and explained divinatory meanings connecting writing elements under unified guidance. Fanciful fortune uncovering!
• Researching personages or locales central to developing manuscripts through Wikipedia entry rabbit holes links loosely related articles expanding scopes of understandings with interconnected precision of crowdsourced knowledge always aiming accuracy. Reliably informative despite notorious unpredictability navigating endless links luring wandering curiosity!
• Constructing artistic vision boards dedicated individually highlighting major characters collaging inspiring imagery, poignant quotes, evocative texture swatches and meaningful nicknacks develops visualization vocabularies translating traits into tangibly rendered representations clearer comprehending multidimensional roles awaiting written incarnations eventually portrayed plausibly believable beings.
• Freewriting extensive lists noting objects associated with integral storytelling symbols draws concentric interpretative circles further illuminating initially obfuscated significations hidden within subconscious realms by poking pictographic impressions somewhat startled awake by scrutinizing storm thus summoned.
• Prominently posting inspiring quotes rousing resonances with writing undertakings continually reorients wandering processes back onto intended highways clearly marked meaningful milestones further approached each day’s end nearer reaching motivational arrivals. Reminders reinforce roads seldom originally straight.
• Churning out zany paragraphs purely for playfulness sake liberates imagination momentarily freed from claws of practicality often such restrictive confines strangling spontaneity so essential breathing freely through fanciful drafts run absolutely wild without lingering latter concern regarding reining ludicrousness for integration within sane structures. Go wild with it!
• Entering writing contests intentionally instigating compressed deadlines devastates procrastinatory tendencies instantaneously hitting hyperdrive determination buckling down taking matters seriously heeding ticking clocks signaling commencing frantic ideas dumping brainstorms directly typed transmitting only bestphrases persistently Pulitzer hunting!
• Sketching rough character models initially establishes superficial anchoring adequate beginning translating wordy impressions onto physicality representations however haphazardly clumsy. Further refining revisions sculpt fully realized beings.
• Seeking sonic muses matching musical atmospheres inspire unlocking written wonders tuned to emotional octaves orchestrating optimal creativity currents concentrated deeply flowing inner ear canals conductively stimulating synapses scintillating beautifully brilliant brainstorming arpeggios amplified ascending crescendos towards highest horizons imaginable! Wow, that felt nice!
• Donning noise cancelling headphones pumping intensely epic instrumental film soundtracks establishes beneficial “creative trance” mental states wholly absorbed experiencing scenic visions narratively narrated free forming thereafter translated typed words gradually grouped semi-coherently. Oh look, writing already!
• Printing vulnerable works in progress carried folded within back pockets allows sly subtle handwritten line edits inserted inconspicuously while awaiting appointments, commuting trains, browsing shops etc. Multitasking via miniature pen marks incrementally improves large undertakings bit by bit.
• Window shopping home furniture stores’ off-beat cultured décors sparks scene-setting inspiration aesthetically pleasing foreign eyes imagining equally splendidly elegant worlds deserving descriptively lavish literary representations conveying clearly cut visions articulated amazingly abundant adjectival phrasings. Fanciful writings feel fabulous!
• Programming timed uplifting quote emails delivered throughout workday continually reconnects productivity inspiration too often drowned under numbing mundanity plaguing procedures devoid of delighted diversions delivering welcomed quick respites that buoyantly boost passions, purposes and creative productivity all beneficially bolstered bywords alone!
• Seeking authentic cultural cookbooks and recipes guides mental journeys through indigenous ingredients eventually envisioning ancestral tables tells tales traditions spanning generations grounded nourishing native nourishment literally flavoring regional folkways informatively spicing fictive feasts.
• Ultimately surrendering worries releasing expectations while embracing patience and persistence continues cracking lifelong writing goals realization slowly manifesting daily through sincere affections felt regarding creative personal processes magnetizing manuscripts meant for manifestation in due time with gentle nudges not harsh shoving unobstructed unfurling patient petals eventually meet sunlight.

The key remains balancing exerted efforts against exhausted energies by rotating regenerative restoratives keeping cups filled ready pouring when muses momentarily pause serving surreptitious whispers where wealthy words hide awaiting mining curious creativity pickaxes chipping away finally unearthing gemstone phrases glittering eager eyes focused true seeing. Metaphors aside, consistency with compassion cultivates inspiration’s blossoming even through semi-dormant seasons awaiting urgings emerged. There are other resources on the web that may help you with writer’s block, and we have many prompts on our site that may help. Keep calmly writing on!

Related posts:

• 10 Reasons to Keep a Writing Journal
• How long is a short story? A question for the ages
• Writing Horror
• 5 Tips For Choosing An Editor
• 50 Common Simple Writing Mistakes to Avoid

About Richard

Richard Everywriter (pen name) has worked for literary magazines and literary websites for the last 25 years. He holds degrees in Writing, Journalism, Technology and Education. Richard has headed many writing workshops and courses, and he has taught writing and literature for the last 20 years.  

In writing and publishing he has worked with independent, small, medium and large publishers for years connecting publishers to authors. He has also worked as a journalist and editor in both magazine, newspaper and trade publications as well as in the medical publishing industry.   Follow him on Twitter, and check out our Submissions page .

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Symptoms and Cures for Writer's Block

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Most writers experience writer’s block at some point in their life, at various stages of the writing process. Often a solution can be found by speaking with your instructor (if you are a student) or a writing tutor. But there are ways to combat writer’s block on your own, too! When you’re having trouble figuring out what to write next, consider these common types of writer’s block and try the strategies that sound most promising.

If you're having trouble finding a starting place for the assignment...

• Brainstorm topics that are interesting to you. Use the invention strategies suggested by a tutor or teacher to generate questions or thoughts that serve as useful starting places.
• Write down all the primary ideas you'd like to express and then fill in each with the smaller ideas that make up each primary idea. This can easily be converted into an outline .
• If your paper involves conducting research, you can look for places where you disagree with another thinker’s claim or feel more work needs to be done. Identifying gaps or conflicts in the existing conversation around a topic is often a great starting place.

Example: You’ve been asked to analyze a television commercial. You remember three commercials that you found interesting and re-watch them, taking notes on details that stand out to you. You freewrite for five minutes on each of the three commercials, and discover that you have much more to say about one than the others. You focus on that one, expanding your freewrite into the an outline for the entire essay.

If you have a topic and an outline, but can’t think of an interesting beginning…

• After the paper is completely drafted, you can get all the sections in the correct order and read it start-to-finish to ensure that transitions are smooth.

Example: You have to complete a lab report and hate writing the “Introduction” section. In order to complete the project on time, you overcome your anxiety about writing that section by first writing the “Materials,” “Method,” and “Results” sections. You write the “Introduction” last, reorder, and revise holistically.

If you’ve chosen or been assigned a topic that bores you…

• If you’ve chosen a common topic just because you thought it would be easy to write on, reconsider: it’s easiest to write about something in which you have a personal interest.
• If you can’t change the major scope or goal of the assignment, try to understand why you’re being asked to write it. What knowledge will you gain from completing the assignment? What skills will you be able to practice? Who would benefit from reading my finished product, and how would that positively change that community?

Example: You work for your campus newspaper and have been assigned to write an article on an upcoming career fair. Although at first your editor asks you to simply inform students of what companies will be represented at the event, you find that you’re much more interested in profiling a certain company that’s new to the fair. You talk to your editor and get permission to write the article that engages you more.

Example: The same scenario as above, but your editor tells you that you have to write the original, more general article. Although it’s boring to you, you reflect that you’ll gain practice presenting a mass of information in concise language, certainly a useful skill for a journalist. Additionally, there are thousands of students on campus who would benefit from the information your article will cover. This motivates you to write the article.

If you don’t understand the assignment…

• The better you can articulate the source of confusion, the more help others can give you.

Example: Your composition instructor has asked you to write a Digital Literacy Narrative. The assignment sheet provides a definition of “digital literacy,” and you have some class notes that further clarify the concept. But after reviewing these materials, you’re still not certain if your instructor would allow you to write about how you learned to use different coffee-making technologies, as they aren’t traditionally considered digital devices. You go to your instructor’s office hours to ask if this topic would be acceptable, taking your annotated assignment sheet and class notes with you.

If you’re worried that you’ll write the wrong thing…

• Remember that the first draft is not the final draft. If you’re not sure that an argument will pan out, just start writing it and see where it takes you. You can always delete paragraphs that don’t work out later, but the best insights often come from pushing yourself into uncertain territory—if you never feel unsure about your claims, you’re probably just reproducing existing findings!
• If you’re worried that a small detail is incorrect, that’s okay in the draft phase. Rather than spending a lot of time checking every small detail as you go, just leave a note to yourself to check your sources later. Or, leave the troublesome paragraph for later and work on a section that you’re more confident writing about.

Example: You’re writing a paper on King Henry VIII and can’t remember off the top of your head whether he beheaded two or three of his wives. The answer to this question wouldn’t change your major argument either way, so you decide it’s not important to look up right now. You write “two,” highlight it, and leave a note to yourself to check this minor supporting fact against your research notes later.

If you’re worried that your sentences aren’t polished enough…

• Remember, again, that the first draft is not the final draft. The sooner you get some words on the page, the more time you’ll have to edit your prose for clarity and style later. Complete an entire draft before you start editing on the sentence level.
• If you find yourself consistently obsessing over individual sentences as you go, try dimming or covering your laptop or computer monitor’s screen so that you can’t see what you’re typing. You can also try writing in a notebook and typing up your work later.
• Consciously stop any non-productive comments running through your head by replacing them with productive ones. Rather than labeling yourself a “bad writer,” think about what parts of the writing process you excel at (idea generation, conclusions, sentence style, etc.) and plan to allot more time for the steps that take you longer.

Example: You’re writing a paper on the effects of all-nighters on college student’s health. You can’t think of the word “deleterious.” After a few seconds of futilely scanning your brain for it, you write “super harmful,” knowing that you can find the more professional word later.

If you’re so stressed out that you can’t seem to put a word on the page…

• Take a short break! If you’re close to a deadline and worried about losing track of time, then set a timer for ten or fifteen minutes and use that short window to relax before getting back to work. Stretch, move away from your desk, and don’t neglect your sleeping and eating schedule. It’s much harder to write if you’re sleep-deprived or dehydrated.
• If you have several days left before your deadline, break the assignment into manageable parts. Set measurable writing goals for yourself, like writing without interruption for thirty minutes every day, or writing a certain number of words by a given deadline.
• Finally, ask for help! Writing is most stressful when you’re doing it by yourself for a long period of time. Asking a tutor or a friend to talk through your ideas can help you get some perspective on the assignment, and remind you that it’s nothing to be anxious about.

Example: You have a week before an important job application is due and you’re anxious that the search committee will dislike your cover letter before you’ve even written it. Since you still have plenty of time before the deadline, you plan to work on it for just thirty minutes every day. You talk to a friend who helps you make a list of reasons why you’re qualified for this job, and you stick to your writing schedule.

If you’re easily distracted when you open your computer to write…

• Try temporarily disabling your internet access. Take your laptop to a space that doesn’t have internet access. Draft by hand in a notebook and type up your work later. Or, simply turn your computer’s wifi detector off, or put your document into full-screen or “Focus” mode: these obstacles are easy to overcome, but the time it takes to make the few extra clicks to open an internet browser is sometimes enough to stop yourself.
• You can also try setting a timer forcing yourself to do nothing but write for a short period of time. Even a ten-minute focused writing session can help you break through initial writer’s block and build momentum on your project.

Example: You start to work on your paper, and after writing one sentence feel the impulse to watch just one YouTube video. However, as you have wisely decided to take your computer to the house of a friend who doesn’t have internet, your browser gives you a frowny face and an error message. You return to your paper and keep writing.

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What Is Writer’s Block? And How To Open Up Again

I suffer from it. Coleridge suffered from it, so did Graham Greene. Joan Didion too. It turns out I’m in very good company with this writer’s block of mine.

The idea is something like this: You’re working on a project — let’s say it’s a novel — and one day you reach an impasse. You sit down to write and nothing comes to mind. Or something does come to mind but you torture yourself over it, wondering if it is the right direction. You can’t commit. Perhaps this goes on for days, weeks, or months. The project stalls.

“You can’t commit. Perhaps this goes on for days, weeks, or months. The project stalls.”

Or, maybe you want to write. You finished a project and you’re starting a new one. Or you might be approaching a big project for the first time. Your first book, print article, or a project for a class. And you just can’t bring yourself to do it. There could be a million reasons why. Indeed, you really are very busy. Your loved ones do need your time. Life has gotten in the way.

Yet, the question remains: Why aren’t you writing?

What is writer’s block?

Ray Bradbury , an author best known for his 1953 classic, “Fahrenheit 451,” thought that writer’s block indicated that you were pursuing a futile path. For Bradbury, if you couldn’t think through a subject, then whatever you were trying to write was heading in the wrong direction. He thought that you should scrap it and write something that was closer to your truth, that came more easily to you.

This might be true in some cases, especially when we pursue a writing project for the sake of how we imagine it will be received. But, more often than not, writer’s block can be an indication that you’re onto something that hits too close to home. If you’re unable to think through a problem in your writing project, it’s likely because it’s tied to something in your experience that is hard for you to revisit. The very act of writing can bring up resistance too, depending on what it means for you.

“Writer’s block can be an indication that you’re onto something that hits too close to home”

The phrase “writer’s block” was coined in 1947 by a psychoanalyst, Edmund Bergler, who attributed the phenomenon to neurotic inhibition . A baroque-sounding term to the modern ear, this simply means that writer’s block represents a psychic conflict between what we want to do, say, or write — and all of the reasons we have to stop ourselves from going through with it. This conflict happens beneath the surface, so to speak, fueled by thoughts and assumptions that rarely reach the point of articulation.

A 1950 article by Bergler conducts a tour of theories about writer’s block, and refutes them one by one. No, he insists, it isn’t that the writer is talentless, out of ideas, or lazy. For Bergler, writers are always driven to write in the first place to work out an inner conflict. Writer’s block is this impulse reaching a fever pitch.

There’s no blanket answer to why we get writer’s block because we’re always dealing with our particular writing project and its relationship to our particular history. The way out of this difficulty must be similarly particular to each person.

How to work through writer’s block

It isn’t a coincidence that Coleridge’s most famous works are rumored to be opium-induced and/or the product of a dream. Or that Greene’s way out was through a dream journal. Opium and sleep are both states of reduced consciousness, when our resistances are less active and our unconscious thoughts can emerge. If writer’s block is a result of an attempt to stop ourselves from thinking about something, anything we can do to monitor ourselves less will help.

(I don’t know how Joan Didion’s technique of putting her manuscript in the freezer helped her when she encountered a block, but I like it.)

Now, I won’t recommend you try opium, but since finding a way to open up is crucial, here are some suggestions.

First, you have to want it . Because it isn’t necessarily easy. Are you willing to honestly and openly encounter what comes up? If not, that’s okay. Save this article and come back later. If you’re sick of not being able to write and ready to do whatever it takes, then you’ve accomplished the first step.

Write in in-between states . Part of the reason morning pages work so well is because, upon waking, our conscious and critical minds haven’t completely reconstituted themselves. This in-between state still allows us some access to our dreams, and that way of formulating thoughts. Other in-between states like falling asleep, traveling from one destination to another, or writing for short bursts between tasks, can also allow for more freedom.

Write without thinking about the end goal . This is pretty classic advice but it bears repeating. If you focus too much on an end goal, either a narrative conclusion or a specific venue for publication, you won’t be able to commit to following your own line of thinking that emerges in the writing process. Trying to exercise too much control will stifle your thinking, and you won’t say what you mean. Trust that giving yourself room to explore will yield the best result. I promise that others will appreciate it too.

Don’t stop. Don’t edit . Write as a writer and not an editor. It’s hard to accomplish things when you have someone standing over your shoulder and looking on. That’s the situation you recreate when you constantly zoom out and try to refine work that hasn’t had a chance to emerge yet. Try not to stop or criticize the work as you go. It will be more material for your editing process later.

You’re onto something, don’t forget . If it’s hard, it is because you’re onto something. What you have to say is important — and it’s worth it to figure this out. You’re not alone in the struggle, and speaking to other writers or to a therapist can help, too. Yes, going to therapy because you have writer’s block is a totally valid reason!

Have you experienced writer’s block? We’d love to hear your stories and the techniques that have helped you in the comments. Write away!

Ashley D’Arcy is Senior Editor at The Good Trade. She is also a psychoanalyst-in-training and holds a Master’s in philosophy from the New School for Social Research. She lives in Brooklyn with her wife and their Miniature Australian Shepherd, Rocky.

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Blog • Understanding Publishing

Last updated on Jan 18, 2023

Reedsy’s Recommended Writer’s Resources for 2024

Here at Reedsy, we’re fortunate to work with some of the finest talents in the publishing industry — and these experts have shared their experience and knowledge with us in the form of tips, interviews and how-to guides. From developing fascinating characters to motivating yourself and submitting to writing contests, we’ve published articles on so many topics that it’s hard to keep track of them all.

On this page, we’re rounding up some of the best Reedsy articles so far, alongside some of our favorite, most trusted resources from elsewhere on the web. If there’s something specific you need help with, head to the relevant category in the table of contents for easier browsing. 

Finding ideas and inspiration

When you’re just looking for a nudge toward a creative idea, an element of randomness can help you get going. To get you started, the links below comprise our best and most entertaining options, from generators and prompts to our list of ideas for books.

50+ Book Ideas (and 11 Ways to Find Even More!) : A look at some of the ways authors come up with book ideas: from writing prompts to tarot cards and Craigslist ads, the point is to be fearlessly creative.

Title Generator : Give our title generator a whirl, then see if you can come up with a story to accompany the title. Here are just a few examples of the cryptic titles you can get: The Waxed Painting , Clue of the Forgotten Cottage , Ceasefire of the Senses .

Plot Generator : Need a premise for a story in a hurry? Try out this fun, free tool for creating a story out of thin air. You can lock certain variables while continuing to tweak others for maximum fun.

Creative Writing Prompts : Dip into our archive of over 1,100 prompts and, if you like, take part in our weekly short story contest. If you’re after specific genre ideas, you can browse 37 different genre categories.

FREE RESOURCE

Get our Book Development Template

Use this template to go from a vague idea to a solid plan for a first draft.

Tips for writing different genres

If you aren’t fully familiar with the distinctions between each category, head to our blog post outlining the most common book genres . Otherwise, you’ll find our writing tips for each genre below, complete with insights from pros.

🐉 Writing fantasy : Seven of the top fantasy editors in the industry share their expert tips on writing fantastical worlds and characters pursuing noble quests.

🏎 Writing thrillers : In this post, we break down the science of thriller writing into seven heart-stopping steps.

🚌 Writing Young Adult fiction : A guide on writing YA fiction straight from editor Kate Angelella .

🧪 Writing science fiction : Six tips from experienced science fiction editors who have worked at Penguin Random House, Dundurn Press, and Jolly Fish Press.

🔎 Writing mysteries : From hiding clues and establishing the perfect motive to constructing an intriguing sleuth, our tips for mystery writers will help you craft the perfect crime.

💕 Writing romance : Our best tips for breathing life into beloved tropes and helping your characters reach their heartwarming happy ever after.

🎭 Writing literary fiction : For writers keen to experiment, our steps to writing literary fiction help you find the writerly playground you need — as long as you’ve got something to say.

🧒🏾 Writing children's books : A step-by-step guide to writing for children, from figuring out your target age group to taking your readers seriously and polishing up your messy first draft.

👶🏻 Writing picture books : Looking to become the next Julia Donaldson or Doctor Seuss? You could do a lot worse than starting right here.   

🧑🏼‍🎓 Writing nonfiction : Our guide to planning, outlining, writing, and publishing nonfiction.

🧘‍♀️ Writing self-help : Our post covers Identifying the problem you’ll help your readers manage, persuading them to listen to you, and taking the stage to show them how to best help themselves.

🍲 Writing cookbooks : For those with culinary talents worth sharing, this blog post walks you through turning your recipes into a book people will want on their kitchen shelf.

📝 Writing memoirs : Our guide to memoirs examines the many forms a memoir can take, then helps you outline yours and step into your own narrative.

🦸🏿 Writing comic books : A two-part guide to producing and publishing your own series of comic books — superheroes optional.

Which genre (or subgenre) am I writing?

Find out which genre your book belongs to. It only takes a minute!

Starting to write a book

How to Build a Solid Writing Routine : A free Reedsy Learning course that will show you how to regularly find time for your writing.

How to Outline Your Novel : Grab three free outlining templates in this comprehensive guide to laying the groundwork for your first draft.

How to Start a Story : 11 professional editors share their best tips on how to start a story and seize your reader’s attention straight away.

How to Overcome Writer's Block : Vanquish the writer's dreaded foe, writer's block, once and for all! This post has 20+ strategies that you can use to get unstuck.

NaNoWriMo Pep Talks : A nonprofit known best for its annual November writing challenge, this website is also packed full of pep talks from beloved authors like Neil Gaiman, Brandon Sanderson, Meg Cabot, and Maggie Stiefvater. For more on the November challenge, head to our own NaNoWriMo post .

Self-Care for Authors : A blog post from our friends at Self-Publishing Formula, this is a great reminder that while productivity is important in the short term, mental health is even more important in the long term.

The 25+ Best Writing Tools : If you believe that a workman is only as good as his tools, make sure to check out this list of the most efficient writing aids to bolster your work.

The Best Novel Writing Software : The 21st century has given us the gift of technology. These are the best, most affordable pieces of novel writing software that writers shouldn’t miss.

The 16 Best Writing Apps : An impressive range of writing, editing, and productivity-enhancing apps for every kind of writer, from authors to content writers.

ProWritingAid : An editing and proofreading software that’s better suited to fiction writers than its giant competitor Grammarly , ProWritingAid is worth checking out. We’ve also reviewed it here on the Reedsy blog!

FREE OUTLINING APP

The Reedsy Book Editor

Use the Boards feature to plan, organize, or research anything.

Learning about craft elements

There’s a number of craft topics we keep getting questions about because they’re integral to writing a good book, and often complicated to get right. With guidance on topics like writing complex characters and organizing your work’s structure, this is our blog’s educational corner. Time to put your learning hat on! 👩‍🎓

Character Development : A character with a convincing arc is key to a satisfying book. This article will help you develop characters your readers won’t forget.

Dynamic vs Static Characters : A comparison of two important types of characters you’ll have to get to grips with.

The Ultimate Character Profile Template (Free download): Grab a free character profile template to supplement your character development. 

Point of View : A 4-part series on choosing the best point of view for your novel — first, second, third person, or multiple points of view? We also take a look at the differences between third person omniscient and limited POVs.

Mastering Story Structure : An in-depth guide to story structure, plus resources for using some of the most popular structural frameworks in storytelling.

Writing Dialogue : Learn how to write dialogue that doesn’t sound like two planks of wood talking to each other. Check out 150+ Other Words for "Said" To Supercharge Your Writing to download a free supplemental resource.

Diversity Style Guide : If you’re worried about how you’ve represented a particular group in your work and want to ensure you use respectful and sensitive language, this free resource allows you to search up specific terms for use advice compiled by various journalistic bodies.

The Ultimate Worldbuilding Template

130 questions to help create a world readers want to visit again and again.

Revising your work and leveling up your skills

Got a first draft together, and wondering where to go next? Typically, writers run their projects through a few rounds of self-editing first, then enlist the help of professional editors and volunteer beta readers.

How to Edit a Book : Download our free editing checklist that can guide you through the tricky minefield of editing a book.

How to Self-Edit Your Own Writing : Our top tips for refining your own prose, trimming off the excess and keeping only what’s of value.

Guide to Professional Editing : A look at how professional editors can help writers improve their books and grow their skills.

Reedsy’s Editors for Hire : If you didn’t already know, you can hire the industry’s most experienced editors right here on Reedsy. 

Give your book the help it deserves

The best editors, designers, and book marketers are on Reedsy. Sign up for free and meet them.

Learn how Reedsy can help you craft a beautiful book.

An Intro to Beta Readers : For a second opinion on your novel, turn to a writer's best friend: the beta reader.

51 Online Critique Circles to Improve Your Writing : If you’re looking for a source of regular feedback and don’t mind helping others in return, join a writing group. They’re a brilliant source of both insights and camaraderie.

The Ultimate List of Writing Contests : A great way to get your name out there, build up your writing credentials, and pocket some cash, writing contests have helped countless writers rise up from obscurity. Don’t forget Reedsy’s weekly prompts contest, of course!

Best Writing Communities and Best Writing Websites : Take a look at these lists to find tons of support and even more tips on how to succeed as a writer.  

Tell us about your book, and we'll give you a writing playlist

It'll only take a minute!

Publishing your work 

Once you’ve got a polished manuscript in your hands, it’s time to assess your publishing options. Without complicating matters, you will have two avenues to explore: you can look for a publishing deal, or you can self-publish. If you aren’t sure which option is right for you, check out our 1-minute quiz below, or head to our post comparing the two types of publishing .

Is self-publishing or traditional publishing right for you?

Takes one minute!

Traditional publishing

 If you’re serious about going down the traditional publishing route, you will need to think about submitting a query to a literary agent — or perhaps directly to publishers.

How to Publish a Book : A full publishing guide of best practices, whether you want to self-publish or publish traditionally.

The Best Literary Agents Seeking Submissions : Our Reedsy-vetted directory of 600+ literary agents across all genres and categories, with information on how and where to query them.

The Best Book Publishing Companies : A comprehensive directory of the best publishers, vetted by the team at Reedsy. 

How to Write a Query Letter in 7 Steps : A step-by-step guide (including a handy printable checklist) on crafting a killer query letter that will get agents to request your manuscript.

How to Find a Literary Agent for Your Book : Some more guidance on how to find the right literary agent for you.

How to Write a Book Proposal : A step-by-step guide (including a comprehensive template) on crafting a killer book proposal that will get agents to notice your nonfiction book.

Self-publishing

If you choose to take charge and self-publish a book, you’ll soon find yourself with a lot of questions. After all, you’re basically going to do the work of the publisher by yourself. But that doesn’t mean you have to go it alone — with Reedsy, you can now work with the best editors, designers, and marketers in the publishing business.

How to Self-Publish a Book : In which we show you how to self-publish an awesome book in seven simple steps.

The Best Self-Publishing Companies All Authors Should Know : Our picks for the best self-publishing companies in the industry today.

Author Scams and Publishing Companies to Avoid : Unfortunately, there are plenty of self-publishing companies out there that just want your money. Learn which ones to avoid and how to spot them with this guide.

The Complete Guide to Amazon Self-Publishing : The King of eBook retailers is a complicated platform, but a great option for self-publishers. We boil it down to the essentials.

How Much Does It Cost to Self-Publish a Book? : Using data from the Reedsy network, we unveil the current costs of hiring pros like developmental editors, proofreaders, designers, and formatters.

How Does Reedsy Choose Its Professionals? : We’re a professional marketplace with a difference, in that we accept only 3% of all the applications we receive from professionals. Find out more about our selection process.

Marketing yourself and your book

Many writers assume that a traditional book deal will mean they have zero marketing duties. The truth is that both indie and traditionally published authors have to invest significant time in promoting their own work, as big publishers spend much of their marketing budget on household names or celebrity authors. Regardless of how you’re publishing, the resources below can help you figure out how to reach people with your book.

How to Build an Author Website : We walk you through seven simple steps for setting up and populating a key marketing tool, your author website.

6 Steps for Building Your Author Mailing List : As Reedsy’s Ricardo Fayet always says, any sale you make when you don’t have a mailing list is a lost opportunity. Find out how to start yours and start building a relationship with your readers.

How to Market a Book: Overperform in a Crowded Market by Ricardo Fayet (book): For a friendly and comprehensive guide answering all your marketing questions, download Reedsy's free ebook. 

Social Media for Writers — The Complete Guide : Everything you need to know about the major platforms and how to use them.

Facebook Advertising for Authors : A must-read two-part series from best-selling author Mark Dawson, covering a platform that allows you to target very specific segments based on things like location, gender, age, and interests.

BookBub Ads Expert by David Gaughran (book): A book walking you through the intricacies of BookBub’s ad platform, from our friend and marketing expert David Gaughran.

70+ Book Marketing Ideas To Rocket-Boost Your Sales : Whether you’re just getting started or are feeling stuck, there’s definitely something to inspire you in this list of 70 ways to market your book.

Keeping current with the publishing industry

The publishing industry never sits still. From reading trends to new technologies to policy changes by Amazon, it’s beneficial for every author to keep up with what publishers and big players in the self-publishing industry are up to. The resources below can help you do just that. 

The Hot Sheet (paid newsletter): Jane Friedman’s newsletter offers in-depth, journalistic coverage of publishing developments in both traditional and indie publishing communities.

Writer Beware : Blog alerting the indie community to reports of scammy behaviors. It’s sponsored by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association, and has helped countless writers avoid industry pitfalls.

Alliance of Independent Authors : A membership association for self-publishing authors, ALLi champions the rights and interests of indie writers — for example, 2022 saw ALLi successfully campaign against Amazon’s ebook return policy, which was then revised. 

The Creative Penn Podcast : Run by author and entrepreneur Joanna Penn, one of the most trusted voices in publishing, this podcast can help you keep up with industry news as well as technological developments, the latter being a topic Joanna is consistently curious about. 

Catapult’s Don’t Write Alone series : This series of essays published by Catapult aims to bring a sense of solidarity to writers dealing with similar struggles — check it out for essays relating to rejection, motivation, productivity, and craft improvement.

Writer’s Digest : You probably don’t need our recommendation to check out this popular magazine — its many years of website archives are a treasure trove of advice on countless subjects relating to writing and publishing a book.

Nathan Bransford : Author and former literary agent Nathan Bransford runs a blog that shares invaluable insights from the literary trenches. His resources on all things literary agent are great for any author new to the ways of traditional publishing.

Self-Publishing Insiders podcast : Draft2Digital’s podcast tackles a wide range of self-publishing topics, from crafting a better book to marketing it successfully. Our favorite episode? The one featuring Reedsy’s Ricardo Fayet , of course.

Smith Publicity’s podcast : This podcast sees guests share tips on book marketing and publicity — topics have ranged from understanding reader niches to becoming an in-demand public speaker, amplifying marginalized voices, and establishing yourself as a thought leader.

Self-Publishing Show Live : One of our favorite conferences relating to indie publishing, SPS Live takes place annually in London. The largest of its kind across the Atlantic, you’ll no doubt meet hundreds of enthusiastic, energetic indie authors at this conference — and us, of course! Come along to meet the Reedsy gang and get inspiration from your fellow authors.

The path to publication can have its tricky moments, but you’re never on it alone. With all of the resources available on the internet, there’s always someone you can turn to for advice. If you fancy hearing from us when we publish new guides and tips from the world of publishing, sign up to our newsletter here .

3 responses

Angela Ackerman says:

29/12/2016 – 19:47

Good to see this all put together--I get a lot of very broad publishing questions that can't be answered simply in an email or DM, so this article is a good go-to for me to pass on. ;) Angela

↪️ Reedsy replied:

30/12/2016 – 09:52

Glad you like it, Angela! That's also why we decided to compile this list of resources. And thanks for pointing authors to our blog! :)

Natasha says:

21/08/2019 – 03:14

Thank you for sharing!

Comments are currently closed.

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500 Writing Prompts to Help Beat Writer’s Block

Looking to get your story started with a writing prompt? You’ve come to the right place. In this post we detail everything you need to know about writing prompts and give you 500 writing prompts broken down by genre. Enjoy!

I want to be a writer… but what if I have nothing to write about?

Ever feel like you’d love to write but you’re fresh out of ideas? Like there’s nothing else that you could possibly write about, or you have no idea where to even get started? We get it. One of the hardest steps in writing a book is often knowing where to get started. Coming up with content, getting your pen (or pencil) to paper, and letting your creativity flow is a challenge that many writers struggle with. As we know, facing writer’s block and fighting personal writing doubt is common. An overwhelming number of professional authors admit to getting stuck well before they get to the point of selling books on Amazon . Thankfully, there’s an answer to the question of where to turn when you feel like you’ve hit that proverbial wall: the writing prompt.

What is a writing prompt?

How often do writers use writing prompts?

There’s no right answer to this question because using writing prompts can often be a personal choice. Some authors find it greatly benefits their ability to turn out creative results. Some authors know that they already have the right ideas for a book in their heads. With using writing prompts, you need to decide on what’s best for you . Whatever method helps you generate ideas is what’s best for your writing!

Is there a writing prompt that’s best for me?

You might be wondering if there’s one type of writing prompt that’s best for you. It’s easy to find selections of prompts that are filtered by specific genres (romance, mystery, and so on). However, we recommend sticking to genre-specific prompts if you want your writing to be more focused. With that being said, you never know when inspiration will strike. If your writing needs are less genre-restricted, reading as many writing prompts ideas as possible may be the best option for you! Whenever I write for fun, I love to read as many prompts as I can across all genres. Hey, you can get some pretty fun ideas for a thriller story from sci-fi writing prompts.

Where can I find writing prompts?

Easy – the Internet! And books, too. We recommend checking out our collection of prompts first, but there are numerous great sources throughout the web with writing prompts ideas (blogs, social media, and even AI tools like ChatGPT ). Through combing the Internet for great websites and blogs like Reedsy , Screencraft , The Write Practice , Bryn Donovan’s resources , and the @writing.prompt.s Instagram page, we’ve written and gathered 500 writing prompts to help you kickstart your brain into writing mode. Categorized into ten popular genres, we encourage you to grab your mug of coffee or tea, read through our prompts, and get ready to catch the writing bug.

Have any particular writing prompts that help you get focused? Want to tell us about a great website for writing prompts? Feel free to share those in the comments below. Happy writing!

• Mystery / Thriller
• Science Fiction
• Fantasy / Paranormal
• General Fiction
• Religion / Spirituality
• Travel / Adventure
• Young Adult

What are some mystery and thriller writing prompts?

• You find strange, muddy footprints leading up to your front door.
• A stranger sits down next to you on a train and gets up, leaving a package behind. Do you investigate the package?
• You hear news of your next-door neighbor vanishing without a trace.
• One day the national news channel shuts off. And the next day after that, too.
• One day at work, you look across the street to see a hooded figure in a black coat pointing directly at you. What do they want?
• You stumble upon a strange house you’ve never seen before on your morning run.
• You get a text message from an unknown number saying, “Meet me outside. Now.”
• Your parents tell you that they actually don’t know whose child you are.
• Someone puts a large black box on your doorstep. A note on the front reads, “Caution: may bite.”
• You wake up to discover a completely different, unknown face staring back at you from the mirror.
• The protagonist of your story discovers that there is a person who looks exactly like him.
• An international spy group recruits you to be their latest member.
• You begin to realize that your reflection is no longer appearing in mirrors.
• You aunt passes away, leaving you $500,000 in her will under the condition that you resume care for your hundred-year-old home.
• Your best friend tells you that she feels like someone’s been watching her. The next day she goes missing.
• Three words: Long lost brother.
• The day of your wedding, you wake up to find every person in your wedding party has been brutally murdered.
• The FBI begs you to come back to work on a special case. Your former partner has turned and is now wanted for the murders of three co-workers.
• Local gravestones begin disappearing.
• You can solve murders simply by stepping foot at the crime scene. Problem is, no one believes you.
• Write a short story where the protagonist has a doppelganger. (Reedsy)
• Your fingers tensed around the object in your pocket, ready to pull it out at a moment’s notice. (Reedsy)
• You’re sitting by a window watching the flakes slowly and silently fall. Suddenly, you see something outside that snaps you out of your reverie. (Reedsy)
• You’re at a huge store scouting out Black Friday deals. You start to notice that all the security cameras in the store seem to be following your each and every move. (Reedsy)
• You work for the CIA who send you undercover in the FBI, who send you undercover in M16, who send you undercover in the CIA, who are very confused that you are back after only two weeks. (Reedsy)
• A terrorist group has been infiltrated by so many agencies that it is now run by spies, unbeknownst to the spies themselves. This fact becomes apparent to an actual extremist who joins their ranks. (Reedsy)
• Ever since childhood, a dark figure no one else can see has been following you around, whispering in your ear. Today you see it lying a few feet away, screaming and asking you to run. (Reedsy)
• You’ve lived an average life up until today, your 20th birthday. You just found out that your dad is the runaway son of a doting criminal warlord, and your mom is the daughter of an equally doting secret agent. Both family businesses are looking to make you the next heir. (Reedsy)
• She has been walking for hours. Her feet are starting to bleed. But she can’t stop moving… she can’t let him find her again. (Reedsy)
• The morning after a blizzard you make your way outside and slowly start to realize everyone has disappeared. (Reedsy)
• You find a hand-written note on your windshield that says, “Drive west for 100 miles.” (Reedsy)
• You wake up in a jail cell, crusted blood covering your hands. You have no idea how you got there. The cell door clangs open, and an officer walks you to interrogation room where two detectives wait to question you. (Reedsy)
• You walk into your job and find a secret, coded note pinned to your desk. What do you do next? (Reedsy)
• Guard this with your life. (Reedsy)
• A loved one confides in you, but the secret could damage someone else you care about. What do you do? (Reedsy)
• As you’re browsing through a rack of sweaters, someone approaches you and says, “I need you to listen to me very carefully.” (Reedsy)
• Write a short dark comedy in which a long-unsolved mystery is finally cracked. (Reedsy)
• They say a picture is worth a thousand words but you knew the one you’d just taken was worth a million. (Reedsy)
• You were the oldest person still living in the town and you remembered things no one else did. (Reedsy)
• Looking through old family photos, multiple generations back, you notice there is a cat in almost every group photo. The same cat – color, pattern, one docked ear – that is currently purring on your lap. (Reedsy)
• “… and that’s why dividing by three is illegal.” (Reedsy)
• You’re a serial killer who murders anyone you see hitchhiking up your mountain. One day, you pick up a hitchhiker who kills anyone who picks them up.
• You are legally allowed to commit murder once, but you must fill out the proper paperwork and your proposed victim will be notified of your intentions. (Reedsy)
• You hire two private investigators to investigate each other. One month later both come to you to present their findings. (Reedsy)
• 20 years after your daughter was abducted, a detective finds you to reopen the case. The detective turns out to be your daughter. (Reedsy)
• You’re shaking hands with a stranger at a networking event when you ask for their name. “I have no name,” they reply. (Reedsy)
• As you’re paying for your groceries, you mention to the clerk, “There’s a mess in aisle 16.” They give you a puzzled look and reply, “There is no aisle 16.” (Reedsy)
• The detective didn’t realize they were being foiled by a competing detective. (Reedsy)
• The first day you opened your own office as a private investigator, you didn’t expect it to be busy. You were wrong. (Reedsy)
• You are the world’s greatest detective. With your near superhuman intellect, you have never failed to solve a case before. One day, you finally meet your match: a criminal so unbelievably stupid that you cannot possibly comprehend and predict what he’s going to do next. (Reedsy)

What are some romance writing prompts?

• Left at the altar, you decide to seek revenge on your ex.
• You got ditched at the last minute before prom – who will your date be?
• A stranger texts the wrong number, and accidentally sends you a declaration of love. The message is so sweet and heartfelt that you know you can’t let it go.
• A divorced former couple find each other on the same flight to Paris… Sitting next to each other.
• After joining an adult swim league, you realize that your coach is irresistibly cute.
• Your husband accidentally sends you a text meant for his mistress.
• You and a hot stranger get trapped in an elevator.
• Write a love story set at the zoo.
• A college professor and their teaching assistant hit it off a little too well.
• You get to make one wish to create your dream romantic partner. What is it?
• Two strangers on an online chat room hit it off. Turns out they’re childhood sweethearts.
• A parole officer falls in love with his parolee.
• After their catamaran crashes, a husband and wife on their anniversary trip are left marooned on an island in the tropics.
• She’s a burgeoning lingerie model who needs her cute neighbor to take portfolio shots of her.
• An alien falls in love with a forbidden human.
• Desperate for cash, a med student signs up to be a nude model for a retired women’s art club.
• A cutthroat business woman swore she’d never find love until her best friend sets her up on a blind date.
• Two widowed people meet at a community garden.
• A chef decides to embark on an international culinary tour for inspiration and falls in love with their tour guide.
• A daughter tries to set her widowed father up on an online dating app – without him knowing.
• A Republican presidential candidate and Democratic presidential candidate fall in love.
• You are a popular book heroine’s love interest. You now have 60 seconds to convince them that saving the city is more important than saving you. (@writing.prompt.s)
• The love of your life is your brother’s nemesis.
• You fall in love with every person you make eye contact with.
• You’re a mail order bride arriving at her new home for the first time.
• After you move to a new city, you fall in love with your realtor while buying a new house.
• You realize that you’ve fallen out of love with your new wife while you’re on your honeymoon.
• You and your best friends decide to try a new dating app for the first time.
• At your friend’s urging, you begrudgingly attend a Valentine’s Day speed dating event. (Reedsy)
• Every day, you return to your apartment and say, “Honey, I’m home. Oh wait, that’s right… I live alone.” But then one day, a voice replies, “I picked up some pizza.” (Reedsy)
• Cupid offers to shoot an arrow into the person you love. He warns you that if the person already has a pre-existing affection towards you, it will disappear when the arrow strikes. (Reedsy)
• You meet your doppelganger of the opposite sex and find you are strangely attracted to each other. (Reedsy)
• Write a romantic comedy. Difficulty: both lovers are emotionally mature and have excellent communication skills. (Reedsy)
• In the future, romantic attraction is literal: each person is fitted with an electromagnetic bracelet which, they claim, will pull you to your soulmate. It’s the day they turn the magnets on, and you’re waiting. (Reedsy)
• A fortune teller falls in love with their client who has their palm read every month. (Reedsy)
• It wasn’t love at first sight. But now you were starting to see them in a new light… (Reedsy)
• Someone with anxiety falls in love with someone extremely adventurous. (Reedsy)
• The lives of two people are changed forever when they coincidentally meet and engage in a weekend-long affair. (Reedsy)
• They lived in a world where PDA is forbidden. One day, they slipped up and held hands on the street. (Reedsy)
• Two characters who are perfect for one another are foiled by bad timing. (Reedsy)
• Two mortal enemies fall in love when they’re trapped in an elevator together and begin to see the other person’s perspective. (Reedsy)
• Valentine’s Day at a retirement home. (Reedsy)
• Well, that was a New Year’s Eve kiss you won’t forget any time soon. (Reedsy)
• You have the ability to make anyone fall in love with you. You’ve just fallen in love for the first time. Do you use your power? (Reedsy)
• You and your partner finally have the most romantic vacation planned. Problem is, your in-laws decided to tag along at the last minute.
• You never would have guessed that in 48 hours you’d be married. (Reedsy)
• A dog lover and cat lover fall in love… and must find a way to get their animals to fall in love, too.
• You’ve been bumping into the same stranger for months. Finally, you decide to say hello. (Reedsy)
• They might have aged 50 years, but when they held you, those hands felt exactly like they did the first time. (Reedsy)
• An avalanche strands two mortal enemies together… and they start to fall in love.

What are some science fiction writing prompts?

• You wake up one morning to find out that you get to move to any planet of your choosing.
• Your wife is a droid.
• Every day, you get one hour to revisit any moment from your life. What do you pick?
• Gravity no longer exists.
• You are chosen to go on the first ever recreational space journey.
• After people die, their spirits can be brought back from death but at the cost of one random human life. Is it worth it?
• Everyone in the world has the ability to read thoughts. Except for one person.
• You have to power to build one separate planet. How do you build it? Who gets to live there?
• What team do you gather to fight the largest alien and terrorist threat on Earth?
• The world is dying. In order to save it, you’ve been commanded to sacrifice yourself to an invading alien group.
• You are the first person able to breathe in outer space.
• A rare form of cancer is the newest superbug. With a team of scientists, you all must find a cure before the population is wiped out.
• Human beings begin to find themselves growing extra limbs as global warming amps up.
• It turns out humans have been the aliens all along.
• You are in charge of a secretive government agency that aligns people’s fates. Their livelihood is entirely up to you and what you want to do with it.
• Technology becomes illegal.
• All plant life on the planet is wiped out, except for in Florida.
• You are one of the mechanics on the first ever self-flying airplane.
• Walking through the woods one day, you come across a small animal that has the ability to instantaneously clone itself.
• Your whole family has fought in the space military, but you’ve decided to no longer take part in it.
• In an alternate universe where global warming has ruined the planet, you’ve spent your entire life living in an airplane on autopilot.
• You’re a 15-year-old in the middle of a zombie apocalypse. However, a cure has been found that not only rids the infected person of the virus before they turn but prevents it altogether. Only one problem… Your parents are anti-vaxxers. (@writing.prompt.s)
• Nasa engineers monitor the curiosity rover’s actions. All seems normal until the robot suddenly changes its course. The scientists attempt to correct it over and over until they suddenly receive a transmission from the rover: “Will Save Oppy” (@writing.prompt.s)
• What if a nuclear submarine was ordered to launch their nuclear arsenal onto the world? (Screencraft)
• What if the world we live in is actually a computer simulation? (Screencraft)
• What if the past and present timelines began to merge? (Screencraft)
• What if your stepfather or stepmother is actually your future self? (Screencraft)
• What if the sun began to die? (Screencraft)
• What if the universe as we know it is actually someone’s imagination? (Screencraft)
• Everyone on earth begins to experience universal amnesia.
• The year is 2200. What does the world look like to you?
• In the future, we no longer require water, air, or food. We are a super efficient team of robots.
• What do you think happens when the grid goes down?
• Describe your perfect utopian world.
• Your penpal lives on the opposite side of the universe.
• Aliens who only communicate with sign language invade. To avoid war, our governments must engage a vastly marginalized portion of the human population: the hearing-impaired. (The Write Practice)
• A rogue planet with strange properties collides with our sun, and after it’s all over, worldwide temperature falls forty degrees. Write from the perspective of a someone trying to keep his tropical fruit trees alive. (The Write Practice)
• Ever read about the world’s loneliest whale? Write a story in which he’s actually the survivor of an aquatic alien species which crashed here eons ago, and he’s trying very hard to learn the “local” whale language so he can fit in. Write from his perspective the first time he makes contact. (The Write Practice)
• An alien planet starts receiving bizarre audio transmissions from another world (spoiler: they’re from Earth). What does it mean? Are they under attack? Some think so…until classic rock ‘n’ roll hits the airwaves, and these aliens discover dancing. Write from the perspective of the teenaged alien who first figures it out. (The Write Practice)
• Take anything we find normal today (shopping malls, infomercials, products to remove facial hair, etc.) and write a story from the perspective of an archeologist five thousand years in the future who just unearthed this stuff, has NO idea what any of it was for, and has to give a speech in an hour explaining the historical/religious/sociological significance. (The Write Practice)
• House cats are aliens who have succeeded in their plan to rule the world. Discuss.
• A high schooler from fifteen hundred years in our future is assigned a one-page writing project on a twenty-first century person’s life based entirely on TV commercials. Write the beginning of the essay. (The Write Practice)
• Time travel works, but only once in a person’s life. Write from the perspective of someone who chooses to go back in time, knowing they can never return. Where do they go and why? (The Write Practice)
• So yeah, ancient Egypt really was “all that” after all, and the pyramids turn out to be fully functional spaceships (the limestone was to preserve the electronics hidden inside). Write from the perspective of the tourist who accidentally turns one on. (The Write Practice)
• Ten years from now, scientists figure out how to stop human aging and extend life indefinitely—but every time someone qualifies for that boost, someone else has to die to keep the surplus population in check. Oh, it’s all very humane; one’s descendants get a huge paycheck. Write from the perspective of someone who just got a letter in the mail saying they’re the one who has to die. (The Write Practice)
• In the future, neural implants translate music into physical pleasure, and earphones (“jacking in”) are now the drug of choice. Write either from the perspective of a music addict, OR the Sonforce agent (sonance + enforcer) who has the job of cracking down. (The Write Practice)
• It’s the year 5000. Our planet was wrecked in the great Crisis of 3500, and remaining human civilization survives only in a half dozen giant domed cities. There are two unbreakable rules: strict adherence to Life Quality (recycling doesn’t even begin to cover these laws), and a complete ban on reproduction (only the “worthy” are permitted to create new humans). Write from the perspective of a young woman who just discovered she’s been chosen to reproduce—but she has no interest in being a mother. (The Write Practice)
• In the nineteenth century, there’s a thriving trade in stolen archeological artifacts. Write a story from the perspective of an annoyed, minimum-wage employee whose job is traveling back in time to obtain otherwise unobtainable artifacts, then has to bring them back to the present (the 1800s, that is) and artificially age them before they will sell. (The Write Practice)
• Steampunk! Write a story from the perspective of a hot air balloon operator who caters to folks who like a little thrill… which means she spends half her time in the air shooting down pterodactyls before the paying customers get TOO scared. (The Write Practice)
• Creation myth! Write from the perspective of a crazy scientist in the year 28,000 who, determined to discover how the universe began, rigs up a malfunctioning time machine, goes to the “beginning” of the universe, and ends up being the reason for the Big Bang. (Logic? Causal effect? Pfft. Hush, it’s time-travel, and that was never logical.) (The Write Practice)

What are some fantasy and paranormal writing prompts?

• A mysterious creature speaks to you in your dreams and tells you that when you awake, you will have the ability to see into another realm.
• Your pet dragon transforms into a person.
• You are gifted with the strongest, most elusive sword in the kingdom, but if you use it you will never be able to speak again.
• A magical world exists underground. To get there, you’ll need to start digging.
• You wake up and find out that you’re the only living person left on the planet.
• On her deathbed, your grandmother tells you that there’s a hidden treasure buried in her backyard. The family has been trying to locate it for decades. It’s up to you to finally find it.
• The ocean becomes the sky.
• You must save your kingdom from ruin by learning how to breathe fire.
• You have the power to read the lost language, making you the only person to decipher the scroll.
• Fairies are tired of being used for free labor.
• Your favorite fairy tale is now set in 2019.
• You are kidnapped by a knight who demands your assistance in sleighing the city’s most dangerous dragon.
• A man and his wife own the largest potion store in town. Little do the townspeople know, but they’re all being slowly poisoned by the potions.
• A magical toad begins talking to you, but you’re the only person who can hear him.
• You come into possession of a ring that can change the weather to whatever you decide.
• You’re selected to take part in a secretive, underground magic university… but you have to kill someone to go.
• You wake up to find yourself a member of King Arthur’s Round Table.
• An underwater society decides to overtake the world.
• Regular person by day, a shape shifter by night.
• Satan puts you in charge of Hell.
• You are the king. After your daughter was kidnapped by a dragon, you offered the standard reward to whoever rescued her. You weren’t expecting a different dragon to rescue her. (@writing.prompt.s)
• A woman has been dating guy after guy, but it never seems to work out. She’s unaware that she’s actually been dating the same guy over and over; a shapeshifter who’s fallen for her and is certain he’s going to get it right this time.  (@writing.prompt.s)
• The cocky main character of a popular book is sent to the real world. He is shocked to find that the fans of his book not only like the villain more but favor his side kick over him. (@writing.prompt.s)
• You’re an immortal who lives at a beach resort. You have many summer flings with mortals on getaways. One day you see someone you had a hot romantic night with 50 years ago. They look exactly the same. (@writing.prompt.s)
• The stars have been watching you your whole life, as you laughed and cried, loved and suffered. Today, you’re finally going to do something that none of them can bear to watch. They blink out, the whole night sky turning dark, just as you’re about to do it. (@writing.prompt.s)
• A lord takes a fancy to a peasant girl and kidnaps her for his own. Little does he know that she’s a trained assassin who has been preparing to take his life for years. (@writing.prompt.s)
• You are the last person on Earth, and you are able to make one wish. What do you wish for?
• You and your family are on a hike when you stumble upon a group of witches in the forest, in the midst of casting spells.
• You have the power to transform into whatever mystical creature you choose.
• You and your ghost best friend are an infamous crime-solving team.
• No, there’s absolutely no way that ghosts are real. Sure, you just saw a mysterious fuzzy figure you appear before you in your house, but that had to be your imagination… right?
• You’re the one human who is capable of seeing ghosts. It’s up to you to save them from being removed from the human world for good.
• You were born to be a villain, but you find yourself leaning more and more towards the good as you get older.
• Spend some time working on world building. How can you create a believable fantasy world that readers can picture clearly? What types of characters does your world include?
• Dream up your own, one-of-a-kind mythical race.
• You and your adventurous crew on a quest for the old King’s hidden gold. Just one problem – so is the rest of your village.
• 10 cm of snow had fallen overnight, just as the weatherman predicted. The only thing is… the snow isn’t white. (Reedsy)
• You start realizing that at least one aspect of every dream you have comes true the next day. (Reedsy)
• You can buy a pill that lets you decide exactly what you will dream about while you sleep. (Reedsy)
• You find a polaroid camera that seems to predict the future: its pictures show what will happen exactly 5 minutes from the moment you take them. (Reedsy)
• You were on your way to see a doctor who promised to know the secret to making yourself fall out of love with someone. (Reedsy)
• Write a story that includes a character hearing their fate by a fortune teller. (Reedsy)
• As a joke, you put on a tinfoil hat. Suddenly your mind goes completely silent. (Reedsy)
• Silence is now literally golden. For every day of total silence a person completes, they receive a piece of gold. (Reedsy)
• A new candy had been invented that allowed the person who ate it to relive any memory they wanted. There was a lineup outside the shop. (Reedsy)
• It’s 1AM at night. But the sun is out. (Reedsy)
• You wake up 10 years younger. What do you do? (Reedsy)
• I wish I could skip next week, you think as you get into bed that night. In the morning, you wake up 100 years in the future. (Reesy)
• They found out about us. They’re coming. They were the words the kingdom had feared hearing for thousands of years. (Reedsy)
• A group of scientists on a submarine are alarmed when they spot what looks like a functioning lighthouse at the bottom of the ocean. (Reedsy)

What are some general fiction writing prompts?

• You’re chasing your dream of being the first person to fly.
• Coffee is illegal and you have to single handedly smuggle it into the country.
• You have to get to the bottom of your family’s deepest secret.
• What was the strangest thing you’ve ever seen in public?
• Detail the life of the person who inspires you the most.
• Imagine what would happen if you woke up one morning unable to see, speak, or hear.
• Think about what you are most proud of. Follow the story of how you got to that point.
• By way of a lottery system, the king chooses you to be his queen.
• Use five points of view to describe one situation.
• Describe the life of a struggling author attempting to make it “big.”
• Tell the story of one woman on the mission to find her lost biological daughter.
• Your dream is to open a restaurant and be a top chef, but how can you do that when you were born without taste buds?
• You’ve just returned home from war only to find your family missing without a trace.
• A famous shoe designer asks you to quit your job and be his latest model.
• You have the power to create, and star in, your own reality show. What does it look like?
• The dark family secret that’s always been hidden comes to light.
• As an 80-year-old, you decide to finally learn how to swim so you can participate in a triathlon.
• Write a scene detailing your greatest fear. Now imagine that has come true for your character.
• What’s the greatest advice you’ve ever been given? What if you lived solely according to it?
• You live in a world with no stress and fear.
• Death has been flirting with you for a long time, but they’ve become a bit annoying. After another attempting to hang out with you again, you jokingly tell them, “If I was the last person on Earth, I’d maybe give you a chance.” Death believes you and will double their efforts.
• When people are born, they are assigned a soulmate. They have a song in their head that only them and their soulmate know. How do you find your soulmate? (@writing.prompt.s)
• Write a story about a character waking up to something absurd. (Reedsy)
• Write a story about a character waking up to the best news of their life. (Reedsy)
• Write a short story with an unreliable narrator that readers can never quite trust. (Reedsy)
• Write a short story in which the main “character” is the setting: for example, a house. (Reedsy)
• Write a story about someone who would be described, above all else, as honest. Or kind. Or intelligent. (Reedsy)
• Using only dialogue, write a short story about a first date, a reunion between old friends, an argument that gets heated, an adult explaining something to a child, or the reveal of a long-hidden secret. (Reedsy)
• Imagine telling the story of a professional hypnotizer. (Reedsy)
• Tell a story through text messages.
• Tell the story of what you would do if you won the lottery.
• Write your own obituary.
• Tell a story from your favorite era.
• Imagine how you would help solve the greatest challenges that the world faces. What would your plan be?
• What would a world be like with no poverty? What would change? What would stay the same?
• Tell the story of the first time that you learned to do something really well.
• Imagine what it would be like to be a pop star.
• Tell a story through song.
• Write from the perspective of your worst enemy.
• Tell a story using only one sense – seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, or touching.
• After years on the job search, you’ve finally gotten your dream job – but it changes you for the worst.
• You own a tiny mom and pops-type store that you run with your family.
• The worst thing that you could imagine happening happens.
• You’re the judge of the annual pie contest in your hometown but, unbeknownst to you, one of the pies is poisoned.
• You go on a road trip to visit your late father’s grave.
• Tell the story of seeing the ocean for the first time. Or the last.
• You’re allergic to oxygen.
• Imagine what would happen if every person in the world woke up in a good mood every day.
• You’re put in charge of taking care of your elderly grandmother towards the end of her life.
• You get one chance to talk to any person in the world. Who do you choose?

What are some religion and spirituality writing prompts?

• What makes you believe in God?
• God speaks directly to you – what does He say?
• What do you find to be most beautiful in the world?
• You get to build a religion of your own. What do you make it into?
• You must live every single day according to a holy text of your choice. What happens?
• Explore what it means to be religious versus spiritual.
• What helps you meditate?
• What is the greatest wisdom that you would like to impart on the world?
• Who is one religious figure you would like to have dinner with? What do you talk to them about?
• Describe your idea of heaven.
• Detail your favorite story in the holy text of your choosing.
• You live in a world where no Gods exist.
• What does karma mean to you?
• What would your ideal world look like?
• You have the power to make every single person in the world ether religious or nonreligious. What do you do? What changes about the world?
• What makes you a religious or spiritual person?
• Describe what a church means to you. Have you had positive or negative experiences in a church?
• Write a poem about your religious path in life.
• Write a religious comedy.
• What happens when a priest decides he doesn’t want to be a priest anymore?
• Think about what morality means to you.
• What is the difference in good versus evil? How do you know?
• How does one know what is innately good?
• What makes you religious?
• What makes you non religious?
• Put yourself in the shoes of someone who has completely opposite spiritual or religious views from you. Why do they think a certain way?
• Describe what your childhood views in spirituality or religion were.
• What do you hope your religious or spirituality path to look like as you age?
• How would you advise someone to strengthen their faith?
• If you could talk to God, what would you want to say?
• The Southern Baptist Convention elects its first woman president, though she is subsequently removed from the position due to an obscure rule. In protest, every woman leaves the Southern Baptist denomination to form an independent, women-only sect of Baptists.
• God needs a vacation from heaven, so he comes to earth to experience life as a dog. He is captured by animal control and is impounded, and you adopt god-the-dog after a tragedy that makes you question your faith.
• An opiate addict going through severe withdrawal symptoms has a conversation with the Buddha – what did they talk about, and was it the result of a fever dream, or a spiritual awakening?
• You record a video that seemingly shows a woman walking on water at a small rural pond. The video goes viral as proof that Jesus has returned, and Christians begin to wonder if Christ was the Daughter, not the Son, of God.
• A secular Jew and a devout Muslim debate food and faith on a train from Quebec to Montreal.
• What are your personal ten commandments?
• When was a specific moment where you felt a “divine presence” in your life?
• Have you ever felt like you’ve experienced a glimpse into the afterlife?
• What form do you think the afterlife will take, if you believe that it exists?
• Have you ever had an out of body experience?
• William Blake, famous British poet, thought that to love was to be in tune with the divine. Do you think this is true? How have you experienced divine love?
• How have you experienced the divine through love?
• Emanuel Swedenborg believed that there was a soulmate for every person, and that you couldn’t get into heaven until your soul mate had also passed away. Do you believe in the concept of soul mates?
• Do you believe in reincarnation?
• What would reincarnation look like to you?
• Some religions believe that animals and plants have souls. Do you agree with this? Why or why not?
• Describe a particularly spiritual moment in your life. What were you doing? Were you by yourself or with someone else?
• What is your most taboo religious belief?
• Some religions believe that human beings could never truly represent a higher power in art. Do you agree with this? What is an example of art or words that you feel represent the higher power?
• What are your thoughts on love languages?

What are some travel and adventure writing prompts?

• Write about your favorite vacation.
• What culture interests you the most?
• You get lost in a foreign city with no cell phone and no money. What do you do?
• Your favorite chef asks you to join them on a culinary tour of the world.
• What country have you always dreamt of traveling to?
• What’s your dream vacation?
• Tell the story of the worst traveling experience of your life.
• A country of your choosing fuses with North America.
• You and your best friends go on a road trip across America, with no budget and for however long you want.
• You are asked to review a luxury hotel on the beach.
• You are forced to leave your home and move to a remote foreign country. What do you pack with you?
• What about traveling excites you?
• Go back in time to the era of your choosing and describe how you live.
• Rate your top five favorite places in the world. What do you like about each place? What do you dislike?
• If you could have any travel-related job in the world, what would it be?
• You and your partner are kidnapped on your honeymoon.
• Describe a 100-day walking journey around your state.
• Imagine if you had never left your home in your entire life and then were forced to go outside and never come back to your house.
• What do you say to your family in a postcard from a new location?
• Describe what it’s like to sit in rush hour traffic in one of the busiest cities in the world.
• A journey to a new location is disrupted by natural disaster.
• Describe what it’s like to travel with a crippling fear of airplanes.
• What is it that you love about traveling? Explore that feeling.
• What is frightening about traveling? Explore that feeling.
• What stories would you most like to share about the town that you’re from?
• You have the opportunity to move anywhere in the world. Where do you choose?
• Explore what your travels in Asia have been like.
• Explore what your travels in Europe have been like.
• Explore what your travels in South America have been like.
• Explore what your travels in North America have been like.
• Explore what your travels in Africa have been like.
• What is the most unusual place you’d like to travel?
• What do you think is most misunderstood about the culture of your home country?
• What cultural norms are you most interested in exploring from foreign countries?
• Describe the foreign foods that you most want to try.
• Imagine that you are a successful chef in a foreign city.
• Describe a time when you have been excited to explore a new place.
• What is the most beautiful image that you have ever seen while traveling?
• You get to go to any museum in the world. Which one do you choose?
• What is your greatest horror story from traveling?
• What is your happiest story from traveling?
• Picture yourself on a foreign vacation with a person of your choosing. What do you do?
• If you had to move to a foreign country tomorrow, what five items would you pack with you?
• Set the scene for a beautiful beach that you have never traveled to.
• Set the scene for a gorgeous castle that you have never traveled to.
• A three day visit to Budapest becomes a maritime adventure down the Danube River to the Black Sea.
• You are a sales representative for a roulette table manufacturer. While visiting the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino for work, you decide to discard all your possessions, cash out your minimal savings, and hike the Mountains-to-Sea trail from Clingmans Dome to the Ocracoke Lighthouse.
• While en route to visit your college roommate in Kyoto, Japan you meet a stranger at Tan Son Nhat International Airport who needs your help finding a prophetic monk hiding from persecution in Saigon.
• You have to make it from Cairo to Alexandria (Egypt). You have no money. Your only mode of transport is a temperamental camel.
• In a high-stakes game of poker in the French Quarter, you wagered your soul to a voodoo doctor on a pretty bad hand. The only way to null the bet is to find a woman in Port-au-Prince, Haiti who has an item – the only  item – the man is willing to trade for.

What are some horror writing prompts?

• You wake up to a world in which all prisons are shut down, releasing dangerous prisoners into your neighborhood.
• A masked stranger appears at your front door with a knife.
• A random number texts you saying, “Don’t forget, you’re next.”
• Someone knocks at your door. You open it to find your deceased grandfather who has come back from the dead to pay you a visit. What does he want?
• Animals take over the world.
• Strange murmuring sounds being to come from the door that leads to your basement.
• While watching the evening news, the anchor looks directly at the camera and begins screaming before the camera cuts to black.
• A polar vortex freezes the entire planet.
• Whatever building you enter, you can see all of the people who died there.
• You wake up in a strange room, tied to a chair, with a single knife on the floor pointed at you.
• A chilling voice appears in your head. It won’t go away. One day, it tells you that you have to run.
• The old cuckoo clock at your grandmother’s home is haunted.
• You’re driving at night when you can’t help but shake the feeling that there’s a person in your back seat.
• One day, while you’re in the shower, you hear your front door open and close. “Hey, roomie, I’m home!” Someone shouts. You don’t have a roommate.
• A strange man living down the street begins leaving presents at your doorstep.
• The cruise ship is haunted.
• While working at a clothing store, you’re closing up the shop for the night when you see five men walk in through the front door and lock it behind them.
• You’re in the middle of a bank robbery – hiding in the bathroom.
• Your dog won’t stop barking at a sunken spot in your living room floor.
• For the last few days, you’ve been getting ominous messages written in blood on your bathroom mirror. Turns out, they’re from an awkward ghost with a serious crush on you. (@writing.prompt.s)
• The reason no one has ever seen the real Santa Claus is because everyone who sees him dies. You just saw him and now you need to survive. (@writing.prompt.s)
• You wake up bound to an electric chair, moments before your imminent death.
• A woman afraid of clowns is forced to work in a travelling circus. (Screencraft)
• A treasure hunter finds a tomb buried beneath the dirt. (Screencraft)
• A bartender serves last call to the only remaining patron who is the Devil himself. (Screencraft)
• A boy’s stepfather is actually a murderous werewolf. (Screencraft)
• A man wakes up with no mouth. (Screencraft)
• Deceased soldiers return to their Civil War-era homes. (Screencraft)
• Suburbia is actually purgatory. (Screencraft)
• A man suffers from sleep paralysis at the worst possible time. (Screencraft)
• A man murders his wife while sleepwalking.
• What appears to be a ghost approaches your car while you’re waiting at a stoplight.
• It’s late at night, and you hear footsteps in the cellar—but you’re definitely home alone… or so you thought. (The Write Practice)
• You’ve put that doll in the cabinet, in the closet, in the attic, but no matter where you tuck it, it always shows back up on the sofa. On Halloween night, you come out to find it watching you… (The Write Practice)
• A bad-tempered businessman is driving home after a long day of work. He thinks he sees his kids trick-or-treating and stops to pick them up—but those aren’t costumes. (The Write Practice)
• A young woman goes to her grandmother’s house for tea on Halloween night. They have a wonderful time together, sharing stories, joy, and the best times of family. The next day, the woman learns her grandmother has been dead for a week and no one could get ahold of her to tell her. (The Write Practice)
• Aliens have just landed on Earth—and boy, did they pick a weird day to come. How do they respond to Halloween, supernatural or otherwise? Do they decide this place is just too bizarre and get the heck out . . . or do they stick around and join in the fun? (The Write Practice)
• On Halloween night, lovers get to come back and spend the evening together one more time. One couple from the Roaring Twenties decides to come back from the grave to help their extreme nerd great-grandchild or the kid will never get married. (The Practice)
• A little boy’s lost in the woods, but at least his faithful dog is with him. As they look for the way out, the dog defends his master against terrifying monsters and animals. Finally, the boy arrives safely on the other side, beautiful green field, no more fog or night. Then the dog goes home . . . where his owner, the little boy, has died. The good doggy guarded him all the way to his final rest. (The Write Practice)
• You wake up in the middle of the night to see a dark figure crawling across your floor.
• Moments after taking off for a flight, the entire plane begins to shake dramatically. The pilot comes on the speaker and says, “This is very bad.”
• You awake in a dark, small box and can hear strange noises outside.
• Several weeks after buying your dream house, you start getting strange letters delivered in the mail warning you to move out.
• Your dog has been acting very strangely recently. Some would say… almost human.
• You stumble across a website that contains clues to some very disturbing crimes.
• As you’re settling in to bed for the night, you hear an unusual scratching sound at your bedroom window.
• You’re on vacation in a new city for the first time. As you walk down a busy boulevard, you suddenly look up to realize you have no idea where you are or how you got there. Come to think of it, you don’t even know who you are.
• On your way to work, you notice that no one is driving on roads. The busy rush hour traffic is nonexistent, and there are no people walking around, either. It’s just you. What’s going on?
• You discover, much too late, that your downstairs neighbor is a cannibal.
• During a renovation of your home, you and your spouse find human remains underneath your back porch – a crime that you are now being charged with.

What are some children’s writing prompts?

• Your dog begins speaking in a human voice one morning.
• The sky turns purple.
• Your best friend’s head turns into a mushroom.
• Dinosaurs come back to earth.
• You and your family rescue a turtle who was hit by a car and nurse him back to health.
• You turn into a goldfish.
• What would happen if you could turn any food into cotton candy?
• Rain turns into soda.
• Your family adopts a pet monkey.
• The new kid at school wants to be your friend, but you’re very shy.
• You and your boy scout troop get lost in the middle of the forest.
• Your parents tell you they’ll give you $20 if you eat your vegetables with every dinner. Do you do it?
• Write about a special memory from your childhood.
• What parent were you closest do? What are some of your favorite memories of spending time with them?
• Write about yourself at age five.
• Write about yourself at age ten.
• What was your greatest dream when you were a child?
• Write about your favorite childhood pet.
• Get inspiration for your writing by thinking about a vacation you took as a child.
• What would happen if you woke up one day and kids ruled the world?
• Tell the story of a child who has just transferred to a new school.
• Tell the story of a platypus.
• Imagine running away with a group of your childhood best friends – where would you go?
• Dream up your own imaginary world.
• Children’s books are known for their fun and creativity. What’s the craziest, kookiest new breed of animal you can imagine?
• Give advice to new parents.
• Give advice to your younger self.
• Imagine what it would be like to live in a world where instead of taking the school bus, you ride a dragon to classes!
• Write about your favorite childhood game.
• Tell the story of a family who decides to hire a new babysitter or nanny.
• Your parents tell you one day that you’re going to be a big sister – but you really like being the only child!
• If the world could be any color, what would you want it to be?
• If you could taste a specific flavor any time you ate something, what would you want it to be?
• Describe a trip to the zoo with your class.
• You and your best friends get to leave school to have lunch anywhere in town. Pizza, candy – anything! Tell the story of where you go.
• Tell the story of your first time at summer camp.
• Tell the story of your first time away from home.
• What if we lived in a world where kids were treated like adults? And adults were treated like kids?
• Take a spin at your very own Dr. Suess-esque book and use rhymes to tell a kooky, crazy story!
• You’re in charge of babysitting your little sibling for the first time.
• You decide to run away from home – what are some of the challenges that you face?
• Picture a world where everything is upside down! What’s life like for you?
• Write a book advising children on how to overcome adversity.
• Write a book advising children on how to be a good friend.
• Write a book advising children on how to be a kind sibling.
• Bobby the Bunny wants to make friends with a fox pup who recently lost its family.
• A giraffe and an ostrich live together in a zoo, where they bond over similar neck characteristics and learn how to play one another’s games.
• A dragon wants to be loved and befriended, but every time he farts, fire erupts from his rear end.
• Bruce the German Shepherd loves to run through the woods with his human. When he and his human get separated from one another, Bruce has to learn from his forest friends how to get back home.
• Tell the story of the tooth fairy… Imagine that she just started her job and has to be trained.

What are some young adult writing prompts?

• It’s your first day of middle school. But when you’re half human, half dragon, that makes things a little tough.
• What happens when you begin working at the same yogurt shop as your crush?
• Both of your parents die in a car accident, leaving you an orphan who gets shipped off to your mysterious aunt’s house in Europe.
• One day you find out that you never have to return to high school. What do you decide to do instead?
• You’re chosen to go on a school trip to Africa where you’ll be helping to build wells. You’ve never been out of the country, though, and are worried.
• Your mom disappears one day, and you never see her again.
• Tell the story of the best high school summer of your life.
• Your boyfriend gets in a horrible car accident and ends up in the ICU. Another girl is found in the car with him, too – but she died. Who is she?
• You find out that your brother is adopted.
• During her freshman year of college, she found out that people in her dorm started to disappear. Almost from thin air.
• A group of high school freshmen learn that the teachers and administrators at their boarding school are actually human like AI working towards the Singularity and human enslavement. If they don’t act fast, the robots win.
• A group of at-risk teenagers are on an overnight camping trip with a wilderness counseling group in Badlands National Park when an arctic blast forces them out of a blizzard and into a cave. On day three, their counselors go out in search for help – and never return.
• Your high school sweetheart dumps you suddenly because of something you posted on social media. But you didn’t post it, and you have to figure out just how different – and difficult – your life is now that you’ve been hacked.
• Imagine that the world is run amok with vampires. Or zombies. Or authoritarian dictatorships in a dystopian future.
• In the near future, climate change has led to the extinction of butterfly and bee pollinators. A small group of teen geniuses band together to develop autonomous, robotic insects to replicate the functions of insect pollination before the global food shortage turns from disastrous to extinction-level.
• You find out that your best friend’s dad is responsible for the growing number of missing people in your hometown. How do you get everyone to believe you?
• You did it – after years of hard work and try outs, you finally won the coveted spot on the football team. But here’s the thing – you’re the first girl to ever play.
• One night you wake up to find yourself levitating over your bed. The next morning, strange wings start to grow from your shoulders. Are you turning into some sort of mystical bird?
• It was pretty freaky to wake up for school one morning, only to see that my parents were literally frozen into blocks of ice in the kitchen. Even freakier? Every adult in town is frozen solid, too.
• A boy pursues his list of wildly ambitious New Year’s resolutions, with hilarious and touching results. (Bryn Donovan)
• A girl on the swim team transforms into a part-time mermaid. (Bryn Donovan)
• A group of “outsiders” become a clique that eventually excludes others. (Bryn Donovan)
• A girl’s favorite author plagiarizes her fanfiction. (Bryn Donovan)
• A boy learns who believed his sister died finds out she’s very much alive. (Bryn Donovan)
• A teenager’s best friend goes missing—and is widely believed to be the murderer of a family member. (Bryn Donovan)
• Two teens begin to write a fantasy novel together and then cross over into the world they’ve created. (Bryn Donovan)
• In a dystopian future, college admissions boards have access to video footage of students’ entire lives. (Bryn Donovan)
• A girl always hangs out at a particular little nook at the library. Then the same boy starts taking the space every day. (Bryn Donovan)
• A boy learns something terrible about his parents.(Bryn Donovan)
• In a modern-day Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, three girls ditch class for a day filled with adventures. (Bryn Donovan)
• 35. A girl who wants to be a virgin until she gets married faces social pressure about her decision. (Bryn Donovan)
• A teen gains the ability to take the form of any other person she chooses. (Bryn Donovan)
• A girl’s science fair project yields results that attract the government’s attention. (Bryn Donovan)
• A teen’s suspicions about a teacher lead him to conduct a private investigation. (Bryn Donovan)
• A girl struggles with the decision to tell authorities about what the star quarterback did. (Bryn Donovan)
• Soon after a boy was born, his father went missing. Now, a skeleton has been discovered in the basement of their former home. (Bryn Donovan)
• You check out a book from the library and discover that it’s telling the story of your life. Do you decide to read ahead and find out what happens, or let it be a surprise?
• Your beloved dog goes missing, resulting in a cross-country chase to reunite her with your family.
• Put yourself in your favorite anime or manga series. What type of character would you play?
• You and your best friends have been playing in a band in your mom’s garage for years. Now you’ve gotten discovered by a major Hollywood scout, but they only want you to go on to fame.
• Some friends go to an escape room only to discover it’s being run by one of the most elusive serial killers in history.
• After going to see the circus with your parents, you decide to run away to join the troupe. What act do you take on?
• What would you tell your younger self as a teenager? What do you wish you had done differently, or not done at all?
• What would your younger self tell you now? What would they think about your life?
• Tell the story of someone who switches places with themself as a 14-year-old.
• Think Princess Diaries – you’ve just found out you’re part royal with a massive inheritance to look forward to. What changes about your life?
• A small spaceship crash lands in your backyard with nothing inside but an instruction manual on how to rebuild the aircraft. Do you take it back into space?
• You have the power to shift into whatever creature you want – bear, wolf, etc. When do you choose to utilize your powers?
• What would happen if you changed places with a rockstar?
• Your big brother has always been the more successful, studious one of the family. You’ve finally got a chance to prove yourself and one up him – how do you do it?

How to use AI for writing prompts?

While that list was extensive, we understand that authors might need more specific prompts. For example, maybe your prompt needs to include exact examples and a more tailored answer specifically for your characters and story. That’s where Artificial Intelligence tools like ChatGPT can be useful.

By engaging with ChatGPT in a conversation, users can specify their preferences and receive prompts that align with their interests. Whether you’re seeking prompts for fiction, non-fiction, or even poetry, ChatGPT can inspire and spark ideas that you may not have considered otherwise.

With its ability to understand context and generate coherent text, ChatGPT writing prompts can be a valuable tool for writers of all levels.

Some example questions authors can use in ChatGPT to create specific writing prompts include: “I’m looking for a fantasy prompt set in a magical forest with a protagonist on a quest for a lost artifact.” or “I need a mystery prompt set in a small town where a series of strange occurrences unravel a dark secret. Can you provide a compelling scenario?” You could even use some of the 500 prompts above and add them to ChatGPT and ask it to create some similar variations. The possibilities are endless!

There you have it, we hope these 500 writing prompts help you on your way to publishing your next book . For more resources on self-publishing, book marketing, and general indie author trends, make sure you check out these resources . You can also sign up for our free author newsletter to stay up to date on the latest news.

Note: This blog post was updated on 4/25/2024

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49 comments on “ 500 writing prompts to help beat writer’s block ”.

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Thanks for sharing the prompt ideas! I am thinking to start writing a book since a long time. But I wasn’t getting any good heads. Your article has helped to understand my area of interest, especially in which I can write a book successfully.

very nice story I like it

Writer’s doubts never end here is a way to solve this issue with 500 writing prompts. It is such a research based and praiseworthy blog, it is a must read. Thank you for this article! This is really very informative for us.

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With all 500 of these, I should have no trouble finding something to write about. Thanks so much for these prompts.

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My friends and I are doing a competition to see who is the best FANTASY writer. Here’s the catch, you need to include twins, homeless people and abused animals in your story. Plz help???

Hi Ebony! Maybe try a slightly post-apocalyptic slant? I know that subgenre can veer on Science Fiction (instead of Fantasy) but you could definitely apply those required themes to a post-apoc story.

Urban fantasy set in a modern day. The protagonist is a homeless person who has a pet dove-griffin (also called winged rats). One day, he is assaulted and they take his companion, leaving him for dead. He survives, and uses his background as a hunter to track down the people who wronged him, stumbling in the process upon a ring of fantasy animal traffickers called the Chain of Cerberus, which is ruled by three brothers, triplets. He has to fight against all odds using his skills and save his only friend and companion.

The secret motivation for the protagonist is atonement for his past as a hunter, since he helped rich people (like the Triplets) to capture the fantastic animals they were after.

I call it ‘Fantasy John Wick’

Thank you for sharing such a wealth of prompts! These are fantastic. What a tough job to choose 500! If you’re interested in more open-ended prompts (just to switch it up), check out my instagram for (almost) daily writing prompts as well: @sharp.writer .

This is the complete list of writing prompts over the internet. Thanks for sharing.

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SoI made like a short script bit of a prompt like the one bout you looking in a mirror to see something that does not look like you.

Its 5 o’clock in the morning. As I came out of my cream sheets with speckles of generally grey all around, I fixed my bed. From patting down pillows to rearranging my duvet for the most part placing my silk pretty black blanket to definitely finish it off. I basically was heading for the fridge to get the creamer for coffee when I stared into the actually metal fridge looking for my reflection but instead kind of found that something looking back at me and it was not my reflection, which really is quite weird. Its kind of looked nothing like me, or so I thought. I really tried to really come up with excuses; I am in a daze, I am still half-asleep, I for the most part am asleep. IT CAN’T BE. I said, until I saw that it can. But that thing in the mirror particularly was scaring me because it stared back at me and it was waving now in a kind of like I AM WATCHING YOU kind of way. but before I could do anything it….

I found your blog very helpful in my writing project someday. Thank you for sharing your wonderful article.

I’m so glad this was helpful to you, Monique. You’re very welcome!

I have been reading posts regarding this topic and this post is one of the most interesting and informative one I have read. Thank you for this!

You’re very welcome, Patricia!

i need to do a story in which the main character is a demigod (as in percy jackson yknow) and i don’t know what to write.

Here’s one you might enjoy , Anika! Found on the #demigod prompts Tumblr page.

This is an excellent list of prompts! For me, though, I don’t lack story ideas or character scenarios. After plotting out my story, I tend to get stalled after a few chapters or in a particular scene, even when I have a good conflict for the characters to work through. ****** I found this great little book on Amazon called “What Would Your Character Do?” It really helped me because the prompts are designed to get you brainstorming about your character’s next actions when you’re stuck in a scene. I can always find a prompt in the book to get me unstuck! I’ll definitely share this particular list with my writer friends though!

Great recommendation, Jackie! Thanks for sharing

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thank you for these prompts. they really helped with my writer’s block

these are so helpful! I’ve been trying to figure out how to continue my dystopian story for weeks then I found this website! I can’t wait to continue working!

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Thank you so much for compiling such an array of prompts. Reading through these and of course changing them up in my head has me scrambling to write again. Have a Blessed Day!

Was looking for some takes regarding this topic and I found your article quite informative. It has given me a fresh perspective on the topic tackled. Thanks!

What a great list of writing prompts. I have saved this page to share with my writing partner. I am sure we will use some of these.

Hello! I wanted to ask you, if I am allowed to use some of you prompts. (of course I will give credits to you and add a link to this site). I am leader for a community on an app called Amino, it’s quite similar to Instagram, where the member can post some stuff. I wanted to post some writing prompts, since everyone there likes to write. So I wantet do aks, if i can use some of your prompts. (And sorry for my bad english, I have a german community there, since I speak german…)

Absolutely, please feel free to share and we would appreciate linking back!

Of course I do, thank you!

This was so helpful! Every prompt in this article was amazing You’ve really outdone yourself Kelsey!!!!!<3

This is extremely helpful. I am in 2nd year of high school and struggle with writers-block. I decided to do number three in the ‘horror’ section, and the options written in this article are extremely ‘flexible’ — there is a prompt for everyone. Thank you.

These writing prompts are fun! Thanks for putting it all together.

I’ve started several books. None completed, Although a few stories were published in a small town newspaper. A couple of years ago I began a book when the work came to an abrupt end. My husband fell off the roof. Now, after 2 years, I find myself wanting to write, but stymied as how to pick up where I left off. I’ve read your prompts. Some of the fiction, thriller, mystery and prompts in other areas have been true life experiences for me. Now, as I stand in the aftermath of the train that hit me, in need of a battery jump to restart, I have hopefully found a way forward.

I absolutely loved these! Thanks so much! Writing prompts really help me keep the wheels turning.

Thanks so much for these amazing prompts! I had nailed down a genre and topic but needed some help getting down to the nitty gritty specifics. You saved the day (and my essay). Thank you!

I am impressed with your sharing. Helpful for new writers. Thanks for your share.

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Unbeatable listing. A lot of quality and tremendous compilation.

I love these prompts! They help me get started when I’m feeling stuck.

I have all the actual writing material I need, but I am using writing prompts to get myself in the zone for writing. This list is outstanding. It’s a bit of a struggle to stop perusing because there are so many that entice me. I’m pretty sure that many of these will little warm-ups will end up in my Ideas file. Thanks so much for this.

To the prompt about scientists figuring out how to extend life but someone has to die:

The mail held a few worthless ads, nothing to be worried about. But then my heart stopped at the sight of a letter. My hands trembled as I took it out of the box. I wracked my brain for ways to escape. If I never read it, could I claim ignorance? No, it would never work. Shakily I tore open the envelope and unfolded the paper inside. When it began with “We sorrowfully regret to inform you,” I recognized the words from my sister’s letter and the grief came flooding back. Half for her and half for myself. I wasn’t ready to let go of the wonderful life I had. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye. But it didn’t matter. Getting this letter meant I was going to die, and it also meant that I had no choice.

Just a blurb. Thoughts?

These gave me some great ideas!

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Strategies for Overcoming Writer's Block

Evidence-based tips and tactics.

Posted November 3, 2023 | Reviewed by Gary Drevitch

• What Is Motivation?
• Find a therapist near me
• Self-criticism and self-doubt can undermine the writing process.
• Feeling overwhelmed by the scope of a project can lead to inertia.
• Sometimes, a change in your writing routine can break the monotony and stimulate creativity.

Writer's block, characterized by a prolonged inability to generate written content or a feeling of creative stagnation, affects writers across genres and disciplines. It is a common and often frustrating hurdle for individuals engaged in various forms of writing, from creative endeavors to academic and professional tasks. Let's take a look at some evidence-based strategies for overcoming writer's block. By understanding the factors contributing to it, and implementing proven methods, writers can enhance their creativity , productivity , and overall writing experience.

Several factors may lead to writer's block, including:

• Perfectionism . The relentless pursuit of perfection can paralyze creativity.
• Procrastination . Delaying writing tasks can lead to anxiety and diminished motivation .
• Negative Self-Talk . Self-criticism and self-doubt can undermine the writing process.
• Overwhelm. Feeling overwhelmed by the scope of a writing project can lead to inertia.

Evidence-Based Strategies

• Freewriting and Mind Mapping. Research suggests that freewriting, a technique in which writers generate spontaneous, unstructured content, can help overcome writer's block (Elbow, 1973). Mind mapping, a visual brainstorming method, can also facilitate idea generation and organization (Buzan, 1974).
• Setting Specific Goals. Setting clear, achievable writing goals can increase motivation and provide a sense of direction (Locke & Latham, 1990). These goals should be realistic, measurable, and time-bound.
• Cognitive Restructuring. Cognitive-behavioral techniques, such as cognitive restructuring, can help writers identify and reframe negative thought patterns that contribute to writer's block (Beck, 1976).
• Writing Rituals and Environments. Creating consistent writing rituals and optimizing writing environments can signal to the brain that it's time to write. Research shows that these practices can enhance productivity (Kaempfer & Vos, 2019).
• Collaboration and Peer Feedback. Collaborating with peers, participating in writing groups, and seeking feedback can provide fresh perspectives and motivation (Paulus & Brown, 2007).

Writer's block need not be an insurmountable obstacle. By understanding the factors that contribute to it and implementing evidence-based strategies, writers can rekindle their creativity and productivity. It is essential to tailor these techniques to individual preferences and needs, acknowledging that overcoming writer's block is a dynamic and personalized process.

As the research suggests, freewriting, goal setting, cognitive restructuring, optimizing writing rituals, and seeking collaborative support are effective approaches to address writer's block. Embracing these strategies can transform writer's block from an impediment into an opportunity for growth and increased creative output.

11 Tips for Overcoming Writer's Block

Writer's block is a complex psychological phenomenon, and it's important to recognize that experiencing it is not a sign of inadequacy. Even the most renowned writers have encountered writer's block at some point in their careers. The key is to develop a toolkit of strategies and coping mechanisms to address it when it arises and continue to nurture your creativity.

• Change Your Routine. Sometimes, a change in your writing routine can break the monotony and stimulate creativity. If you typically write in the morning, try writing in the evening, or vice versa. Changing your physical writing environment, such as moving from a desk to a park bench, can also help.
• Mindfulness and Meditation . Practicing mindfulness techniques and meditation can help calm your mind and reduce anxiety. Mindfulness encourages you to focus on the present moment, which can be helpful when you're feeling overwhelmed by the scope of a writing project.
• Read Widely. Reading books, articles, or other written materials that are outside your usual interests or genres can expose you to new ideas and writing styles. This can reignite your inspiration and creativity.
• Writing Prompts. Writing prompts are short, open-ended statements or questions designed to spark your imagination . They can be a great way to jump-start your writing when you're feeling stuck. Websites and books with writing prompts are readily available.
• Break the Project Into Smaller Tasks. Divide your writing project into smaller, manageable tasks. Instead of focusing on completing the entire piece, concentrate on finishing one section or writing a certain number of words each day. Achieving these smaller goals can provide a sense of accomplishment and motivation.
• Physical Activity. Engaging in physical activities like walking, jogging, or yoga can help clear your mind and reduce stress , which can be a major contributor to writer's block.
• Time Management Techniques. Employ time management methods such as the Pomodoro Technique, which involves working for a set period (e.g., 25 minutes) followed by a short break. This can enhance focus and productivity.
• Creative Writing Games. Participating in creative writing games, such as word association or storytelling with friends or writing peers, can be a fun and effective way to get your creative juices flowing.
• Write Anything. When you're experiencing writer's block, it can be helpful to write anything, even if it's unrelated to your main project. The act of writing itself can stimulate your creativity and help you regain your writing momentum.
• Use Cinema Therapy . There are some inspiring films out there that feel like they were written for writers. Check out Finding Forrester and Shakespeare in Love.
• Seek Professional Help. If your writer's block is severe and persistent, consider seeking assistance from a professional, such as a counselor or therapist who can provide guidance on overcoming psychological barriers that may be contributing to your writer's block.

Different strategies may work better for different individuals or in various situations. It's essential to experiment with these techniques to discover what works best for you. Developing a toolbox of coping strategies can help you navigate and conquer writer's block when it arises.

Beck, A. T. (1976). Cognitive therapy and the emotional disorders. International Universities Press.

Buzan, T. (1974). Use both sides of your brain. Dutton.

Elbow, P. (1973). Writing without teachers. Oxford University Press.

Kaempfer, S. H., & Vos, D. R. (2019). The effects of a flexible workplace on employee creativity. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 40(3), 249-265.

Locke, E. A., & Latham, G. P. (1990). A theory of goal setting and task performance. Prentice-Hall.

Paulus, P. B., & Brown, V. R. (2007). Toward more creative and innovative group idea generation: A cognitive-social-motivational perspective of brainstorming. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 1(1), 248-265.

Barton Goldsmith, Ph.D., LMFT is a licensed psychotherapist, a columnist, and the author of 7 books, including Emotional Fitness for Couples.

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Judge Presses Pause On Second Case To Challenge FTC Non-Compete Ban

A federal judge has issued a stay in a challenge to the Federal Trade Commission’s non-compete ban. The ban would prevent employers from enforcing most non-compete agreements.

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Finger presses the pause button on wooden cubes.

A federal judge has pressed pause on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's lawsuit challenging the Federal Trade Commission's non-compete ban, issuing a stay in Chamber of Commerce of the U.S. v. FTC.

On April 23, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a final rule banning non-compete agreements. The final rule made clear "that it is an unfair method of competition—and therefore a violation of section 5—for persons to, among other things, enter into non-compete clauses ("non-competes") with workers on or after the final rule's effective date."

On the same day as the ruling, Ryan, a global tax services and software provider with its principal place of business in Dallas, Texas, issued a legal challenge to the new rule, filing suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas.

(For more background on the ban and the Ryan case, click here .)

It was the first suit filed to counter what the company described as "the FTC's lawless action, which imposes an extraordinary burden on businesses seeking to protect their intellectual property (IP) and retain top talent within the professional services industries." The purpose of the suit, the company says, is "to prevent the immense, undue burdens the FTC's rule would impose on service-driven companies of every size nationwide."

After Ryan filed suit, four associations filed a lawsuit against the FTC:

• According to its website, the Chamber of Commerce of the United States (USCOC) is the world's largest business organization, with members including small businesses, chambers of commerce, leading industry associations, and global corporations.
• The Business Roundtable is an association of more than 200 chief executive officers of America's leading companies, representing every sector of the U.S. economy.
• The Longview Chamber of Commerce is a voluntary organization of business and professional men and women who have joined together to improve business, tourism, downtown Longview potential, and the overall quality of life in Longview, Texas.
• The Texas Association of Business (TAB) is the Texas State Chamber, representing companies of every size and industry. TAB also serves as the state-designated affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. (Ryan, the plaintiff in the first lawsuit, is also a member of TAB, a fact which was disclosed according to court rules.)

The joint lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas.

(On April 25, 2024, a third lawsuit was filed by ATS Tree Services, based in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. That lawsuit is not impacted by this ruling.)

FTC Procedures

The FTC's final rule followed publication of the proposed non-compete clause rule, introduced on January 19, 2023. The FTC reported that it received over 26,000 public comments about the proposed rule, with over 25,000 expressing support.

“Based on its own data analysis, studies published by economists, and the comment record,” the FTC found that non-competes are in widespread use throughout the economy. The Commission estimated that approximately one in five American workers—or approximately 30 million workers—are subject to a non-compete.

Legal Arguments

The legal arguments raised by the Chamber and its co-plaintiffs in their lawsuit are similar to those raised by Ryan. Among other things, they argue that the FTC lacks the authority to issue substantive rules or to ban non-compete clauses. Additionally, they argue that the FTC acted “contrary to law by retroactively invalidating non-compete clauses without individualized consideration like that envisioned by the Fifth Amendment.”

Under the final rule, employers will be required to notify those workers bound by an existing non-compete that they will not be enforcing any non-competes against them (with the exception of certain carve outs). According to Ryan's initial lawsuit, the move would retroactively invalidate 30 million employment contracts. That, the Chamber and its co-plaintiffs argue, is an improper use of the agency’s authority.

Judge J. Campbell Barker granted the FTC's motion to apply the first-to-file doctrine. The first-to-file rule is invoked when two parties file what is essentially the same suit in the federal system but in different jurisdictions. It is possible that there could be two different outcomes (made even more complicated by Ryan’s involvement in both suits). And while both were filed in different districts in Texas, they would end up in the same place—the Fifth Circuit—following any appeal. The first-to-file rule does what it sounds like and gives the first party to file priority over matters filed afterwards.

As a result, Judge Barker issued a stay in the Chamber of Commerce matter. A stay is an action to stop a legal proceeding. A stay is normally only temporary—think of it like a pause—until something else happens.

The Chamber and other parties now have the option to intervene in or join Ryan's case. None of the plaintiffs immediately responded to requests for comment.

The FTC declined to comment on the stay.

The case is Chamber of Commerce of the U.S. v. FTC (E.D. Tex., No. 6:24-cv-00148).

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