How to Stay Focused When You Experience Writer’s Block

Every writer who has ever lived has at some point sat in front of a blank page and had no clue what word should come next. Writer’s block is a completely normal experience, and when it happens, it’s completely fine to abandon the words and return later. Problems arise, however, when writer’s block occurs more and more – to the point you find you cannot finish your novel/script/short story/poem collection.

The good news is that, because writer’s block is as old as writing itself, plenty of authors have come up with interesting and genuinely helpful methods to get the words flowing once more. Here, we have hand-picked some of the very best.

Forget About Perfection

All writers operate differently. Some like to dump ideas onto the page, whereas others prefer to be more meticulous when choosing each word. If you fall under the latter category and frequently experience writer’s block, it’s time to let go of perfection – at least for a little while. Dump your thoughts onto the page, allowing yourself to make mistakes without overthinking them. You might find that new ideas form, and you’re back into the flow of writing before you know it. Plus, remember that nobody has to see a rough draft!

Read Something Inspiring

One of the most irritating things about being a writer is that, sometimes, it can feel like you’re the most productive, motivated person in the world, and you are both ready and able to produce the best possible work you can imagine. Other times, that eagerness is all but lost, and you have no drive to write even a single sentence, leading to writer’s block.

To revive your creativity, return to why you fell in love with writing to begin with: the words of others. Read something you find genuinely inspiring, whether that’s a classic novel you’ve adored since you were a teenager, or a new selection of short stories by a writer whose prose you can always sink into. Sometimes, even a short but perfectly written sentence or a story that gives you goosebumps at the end is enough to push you back into your writing chair.

In general, it’s important for any writer to maintain a healthy reading habit. If you find you don’t read as much as you’d wish, check out our blog on How to Build a Reading Habit that Actually Sticks.

Use a Writer’s Focus Tool

With modern technology comes modern solutions, and that’s certainly the case for combatting writer’s block. There are plenty of fantastic writers’ focusing tools you can find online, including:

• ZenPen
• Calmy Writer
• Ulysses
• Storyist
• OmmWriter

Many of these provide an interface that keeps you focused for ultimate concentration – try a few out to see which works for your writing style.

Join a Writing Group

It always helps to have fellow writers around you for a dose of inspiration and motivation. They will be like your personal enthusiastic mentors (and vice versa). You can listen to their work and provide feedback, as well as bring in your own writing and receive helpful critiques. If you know you have a writing group session coming up, you are more likely to get the words out!

Create a Writing Schedule

Some people think that good writing only comes when inspiration strikes, but more seasoned writers know that’s anything but the case. What you need is a fixed, rigid writing schedule. Even just one hour of writing time every morning or evening is enough to get you into good habits. Even if you’re not actively writing that entire time, spend that scheduled window focusing on the work in front of you, whether that’s writing, researching, or mapping out the storyline.

Ready to Publish?

Have you figured out a way to push through writer’s block and are ready to put your work out there? It’s impossible to find an audience as a writer if you don’t actually publish your work. If you’re wondering where to publish it, OpenLeaf offers a solution. Our indie publishing site is all about showcasing a range of incredible stories in all sorts of genres, so sign up today and start publishing your work chapter by chapter!