Autumn Irene 🌕

Writer’s block is that dreaded demon waiting to dance on all our shoulders. It happens to the best of us, and sometimes it can really bring on a defeatist mindset. There have been many instances that I’ve found myself blocked in my writing and over the years I’ve found the solution is rarely just one thing, but a combination of activities to stimulate my creative mind.

Here are the strategies I use whenever my writing block demoness comes creeping from the shadows 👹

⏸️ Step Back

One of the worst things you can do when blocked is sit and obsess. Drop the pen, take your fingers away from the keys and step away from the story for a bit. Whether it’s an hour, a day, or a week, give yourself time to let the story (and your mind) breathe! When I do this, I find it’s best to give myself a time limit so that a break doesn’t turn into avoidance and procrastination.

📚 Read Something

Great writers read! Sometimes that bit of motivation or inspiration you need to get the gears turning is waiting for you in a book sitting on that endless TBR pile. Read something in your genre or out of it, something instructional or strategic, whatever feels right to you in the moment. Reading the work of other writers allows us to grow, evolve and problem solve. We all choose a book for a reason, sometimes it’s your future self telling you an answer can be found in the pages of one of them.

📝 Journal

This is one of my favorite things to do to solve any problem (emotional or creative). When I’m blocked in my writing, I like to write through the problem and have a conversation with myself about where I’m stuck, what I’d like to happen, and where I envision the story going. It’s kind of like creating a roadmap to help me flesh out the end goal without getting lost in the details. Journaling is also a great way to put work into your story while still giving it space to breathe.

🌳 Grounding

It’s easy to be cooped up in your cave as a writer, wherever it may be. Grounding myself in nature helps me reconnect with my heart center and creativity. The sun is free medicine, use it and go for a walk, stand barefoot in the grass, or talk out your creative woes with the wind. Nature and the every day have the ability to inspire all of us. Rather than wallow in the frustration of being blocked, go outside to have some 1:1 time with Mother Nature, she’s always available for a hug and a boost!

🫂 Community

Sometimes you just need folks you can lean on when you find yourself in a creative rut. Being in community with other creatives, or having a trusted friend and confidante is invaluable to the writing process. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve asked my bestie for her opinion on something, or for space to talk through a problem I’m having to push the story forward. Writing groups are great resources for brainstorming, camaraderie and accountability; I’ve found support both online and in person. Being a writer can be a lonely profession, finding others who just get it can make the path forward just a bit brighter.

🌞 Chakra Healing

I’ve found that blockages are often energetic. Chakra healing is a great ready to get stagnant energy flowing again and recreate balance in your creative landscape. It never hurts to balance all your chakras from time to time, but most often when I have creative blockages my crown, solar plexus and sacral chakras are the culprits. There are many ways to heal your chakras including meditation, sound healing, yoga, dancing, and dietary changes. Here’s an article that provides an overview of the 7 main chakras and their meaning.

🎲 Switch it Up!

If you’re like me, you probably have a few writing projects in your queue at any given moment. When blocked, sometimes you just need to switch it up and try working on a different project to keep the creative wheels turning without getting stuck in the cycle of anxiety of not being able to move forward in a story. There are also times when I’ve been stuck at a particular point in a story, and I simply skip ahead to write out a part that I have a clearer understanding of how to move forward with. There’s no right or wrong process for writing, as long as you are simply writing.

🎨 Creative Outlets

Exploring other creative outlets—like painting, dancing, playing music, or even cooking can be a powerful way to break through writer’s block. Shifting your focus to a different form of expression allows your mind to rest from the pressure of words while still engaging your imagination. These alternative activities can spark fresh inspiration, unlock new perspectives, and help ideas flow more freely when you return to the page. Creativity feeds creativity, and sometimes the best way to write is to stop writing, just for a little while!

🫟 Write Badly

One of the hardest things to do, especially as a new writer, is being okay with your writing being…well…bad. When I first started writing I was running into blockages that mostly had to do with the obsession of making every sentence a perfect work of art. This was an unsustainable mindset if I ever wanted to finish projects consistently. No matter what you write, it will likely go through a few rounds of edits, especially if it’s a novel. The very first version of anything you write is unlikely to be the same as the one that ends up being published. Writing badly is better than not writing at all, and it’s also a part of the process. Get the words on the page, no one’s looking, the beautifying can always come later!

Some or all of these strategies always work for me when I find myself in a writing rut. The most important thing to remember is that blockages are temporary and they are just a part of life as a writer. It doesn’t mean this isn’t your path or you’ll never reach your writing goals, it just means you’re human. Don’t let the demon win, your words are meant to be read.

Happy Writing 🍃