The Best Exercises to Beat Writer’s Block

Every writer capabilities Writer’s Block at some point in their career, and it always sucks. However, you don’t have to resign yourself to days or weeks of monotonous lack of productivity. Some can defy the writer’s block with sheer will power, but not all are so strong. If you’re struggling, try stepping away from the project that’s plaguing you and dive into one of these writing exercises: 

Use Writing Prompts to Beat Writer’s Block

Writing prompts are an ideal way in which to find ideas and inspiration. There are thousands of writing prompts available at your fingertips and more created every day. There is no shortage, though it’s essential to use them properly. 

If you’re not committed to using a writing prompt actually to write, you’ll most likely get distracted by all the prompts and never write anything substantial. Don’t spend any more than five or ten minutes looking at prompts before choosing one. Then, start writing. A good writing prompt generator is one that can give you many new ideas fast. 

Create a New Character

Come up with a brand new character, unrelated to anything you’re writing or have written before. Give them a name, a personality, describe their appearance, give them flaws – do everything you would do for an important character in a novel. 

It will serve to get your mind going and encourage creativity. Worst case scenario, you’ll never use the character and all you achieved was a small burst of creativity. It is still a win. 

Best case scenario, you keep going with the character. As you bring them to life, you decide on things about them and where you want them to go. You become attached to them and want to see them grow and succeed. From here, a brand new story can be born, or perhaps you find a place for them in the project you’re struggling to continue. 

Also Read: How to Develop Creativity in Writing?

Switch to another Creative Outlet

Sometimes all you need is a break from writing itself. However, quietly sitting on the couch and turning on the TV isn’t your most productive option. Going for a walk might help as it can clear your head and provide a change of scenery. 

You can also try expressing yourself differently. Challenge yourself with something different such as painting, drawing, knitting, or even baking. You don’ have to do these things well. You can be terrible and still benefit from the creative challenge. 

Doing this takes the pressure off of you to write, and you might create something else of value in the meantime. The process may also serve to inspire you. Images and ideas can come from anywhere. Painting a picture or writing a song might give you that spark you need to continue your main project.

Writer’s Block: Time Yourself

If your creativity is blocked up, try setting a timer. It’s a simple and inconsequential action, but it can be useful. While switching up your creative outlet removes the pressures of writing, setting a timer applies pressure. Sometimes, more pressure is what you need. 

The urgency you’ll feel as the clock counts down can be an excellent way to force the words out. If a simple timer isn’t enough, try this writing prompt generator with real consequences. Here, you can set a timer and begin writing directly on the platform. If you stop writing for more than a few seconds, it ends the session and pronounces you a failure.

This is an extra incentive to keep going. Especially if you’ve chosen to write with a prompt, you want to make sure you get all the ideas out. Ending the session prematurely will make this more difficult. It gives you extra encouragement, which might do the trick. Even if what you produce is terrible, at least you’ve created something you can improve on. You can’t improve on anything at all. 

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Describe what Around You in Detail is

If all else fails, take a look around you. Take note of all the small items, pieces of furniture, photos, decorations, etc. Start writing about them with as much detail as possible. It will probably feel pointless, and in the grand scheme of things, it is. Nobody will care to read an excruciatingly detailed account of regular household items. 

The point is to get you thinking and get you writing. It’s also the perfect time to practice your descriptive skills, which are essential to have. 

All Writing is Productive Writing

Especially when you’re in a bind and inspiration has dried up, any writing you manage to eke out is productive because at least you’ve created something. It might not be good, and it might never read by anyone else, but at least you wrote something. You also never know when inspiration may strike. You could be writing something that feels so silly and pointless when all of a sudden, it gives you an idea that’s worth something. If you’re stuck, try one of these exercises and keep putting words down on paper. 

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