Five Steps to Breaking Writer’s Block

When ever I think of the phrase ‘breaking writer’s block’ I get a mental image of some wild-haired, red-eyed writer, dragging an empty page out of an old-fashioned typewriter, then staggering round a room full of scrunched up pieces of paper before finding a half full whiskey bottle on the floor and drinking it dry.

Is that your image too? Maybe something similar? Does it have to be like that?  Have I ever done that myself?  No, but I’ve felt like it sometimes – even though I hate whisky.

The thing about breaking writer’s block is that there are many conflicting opinions about what causes it.  Some people say it doesn’t exist. I say if it feels real to you, then it is real.

Meanwhile if you are looking for a solution to your problem then try this:

FIVE STEPS TO BREAKING WRITER’S BLOCK

1. WRITE ABOUT A TIME YOU FELT SUCCESSFUL

Think of a time in the past when you felt successful – maybe winning a writer’s prize or getting something published. If you are not there yet then think of a time you were successful in another area. Maybe you earned a promotion or grew a beautiful plant etc.  It doesn’t matter what it was – just write it down.

2. WRITE ABOUT HOW YOU FEEL NOW

Just be honest – if you feel down – don’t put a false positive spin on it. If you have strong feelings of frustration, anger or even spite or hatred towards someone – write it down.

3. WRITE DOWN WHAT YOU WOULD WRITE ABOUT… IF YOU WEREN’T BLOCKED

So would you be writing an adventure? A romance? A sexy story? A thriller?  Write it down.

4. WRITE DOWN WHO THE CHARACTERS IN YOUR STORY WOULD BE IF YOU WEREN’T BLOCKED

Okay, so pretending you are not blocked – write down what sort of people would be in your story. What would they look like? Where would they be from? What sort of personalities? Any fears or special characteristics?

5. WRITE DOWN WHAT YOUR STORY WOULD BE ABOUT IF YOU WEREN’T BLOCKED

Take the characters you wrote about at step four and write down what would you do to them if they were in your story. What would happen to these characters if you weren’t blocked?Finished?  Now, what were you saying about being blocked???????

Best of luck with your writing.

Grace.

P.S. Don’t forget if this helped you take a second to like, share or comment and you will make my day!