What can I do to get rid of writer's block?

Answer 1

Start walking around saying the story out loud. Keep doing this even if it seems to frustrate you. Don't write, just talk. The energy you use doing this will break the block in your head.

Answer 2

Three recommendations:

1. The same thing most other people have said: take a break from writing, or even thinking about writing. Watch TV; read a book; do a crossword puzzle; take a walk around the block, if the weather is good enough; do whatever will take your mind off what you're trying to write. While you're doing that, trust that your subconscious mind is working on the puzzle of where whatever you're writing is going next, and how to get it there. Hopefully, the solution will sort of pop into your mind after a while. (It could also be that you're just tired and need a break. If that's the case, this option should help, too.)

2. If that doesn't work, do the exact opposite. Think hard about where you want your writing to go -- if you're writing fiction and aren't sure what the very next thing that happens should be, think about the next scene after that, or even later. What has to happen to get to the point where you eventually imagine the story ending? If you can figure out an event a little way in the future from where you are now, you have two options: you can start sketching out a path from here to there, or you can just skip ahead and start writing that scene now. You can always fix the parts in between later.

3. Just type. Think about what you're trying to say, and write down whatever you think of connected to it. Eventually, you'll get out a couple of coherent ideas. If you're still having trouble, think about those, and write down whatever you can about them. Keep doing it until you feel like you have a decent idea of where you're going; then you can worry about cleaning it up and getting it organized.

(I'm giving examples with the idea that you're working on fiction, but regardless of what it is, these methods can still help. The third one is my favorite for papers and essays.)

Answer 3

I agree with some of the answers. Step away from the paper for awhile and do something totally different. When you are least expecting it you will get a great idea. Or brainstorm a whole lot of ideas at once and you may blow right past the block. I think the first idea works the best just don't stay away so long that you don't want to go back to the story.

Answer 4

Stop. Breathe and now take a deep breath.
Easy as 1, 2, 3.

1. Tell me what you are going to tell about a subject.
2. Tell me about that.
3. Summarize what you told me.

1. Write 1 sentence as the intro to what you want me to know.
I'm going to tell you about getting rid of writer's block.
2. Write 1 sentence about the subject.
You can get rid of writer's block with the 1, 2, 3 method.
3. Summarize what you told me in 1 sentence.
If you use the 1,2, 3, method, you will break through writers block.

Now go and add 1 more sentence to each of the 1,2,3 sections.
Now add 1 more sentence to each.
Now add 1 more sentence to each.

Almost done?
Now, practice smiling, each time you pass a mirror, a big smile because you are breaking through your own writer's block.
.......whenever this happens again, remember 1, 2, 3 method to get started in simple terms. When you try to teach me too much about your subject, you get overwhelmed.

GOD bless.
MBA-Boston Univ.
CPA-retired

Answer 5

You have to step away from the piece and distract your mind with something else. Maybe work on a puzzle while you have writers block. If you think about it too much you won't get unstuck.
Just... step away. When you come back to it, you should have a fresh look at whatever it is you are working on.

Good Luck!

Answer 6

I know somebody who had writers block and wrote an entire speech about it. Of course, by the end of the speech the block was gone and they threw a pillow at me for laughing at them. Anyways, I always like to read. It's the easiest way.

Answer 7

When I get writers block i like to read or watch movies, it'll inspire you and maybe even give you some new ideas.

Answer 8

Depending on the nature of what you are writing about - sometimes the best thing can be to put it away for a few days, and then go back to it. Also, work on other creative projects, take some soul searching time, listen to music that inspires you, talk to someone about your literary project.

Answer 9

The exquisite corpse will drink the new wine.

Have you heard this before?

I've always found that writing exquisite corpses helps me get the creative juices flowing. It makes for a lot of fresh ideas also. Just try it with words to form simple sentences.

If you don't want to make them on your own, you can do it online with other people. I will give you some links below.

Answer 10

One of my english professors once suggested that when someone has writer's block, to write down random words.