By: Julia Grant
Let’s begin by asking ourselves, “What is a true Writer’s block?” To begin with, no matter how much you love writing or how good you are at it, your brain can only handle so much at a time. Just like everything else in life including sports and work, too much can cause burnout. The sport of gymnastics for instance has one of the highest risks of burnout. Athletes from a young age are working countless hours in the gym, and progressing rather quickly. While this is impressive, the body and mind can only take so much before they decide to take an untimely vacation. When you are writing, it is completely normal to hit a blank wall. Coming up with detailed stories and characters requires a lot of mental exertion especially from the creative side of your brain. Don’t give up or get discouraged when this happens. Instead, look for ways to rest your mind and also take the time to learn ways to cure your writing block. Laid out below are 5 ways to cure your writing block.
- Take a Walk
Don’t underestimate the power of physical activity. Give your brain a break and give your muscles the attention they need as well. Usually a lack of balance in your physical and mental activity is what leads to quicker writing blocks and burnout. Also, walking is proven to help you think better. According to a Harvard medical research study, “walking and other forms of regular exercise release brain chemicals that help you concentrate.” Go out and put this study to the test. A daily walk in general may even be what you need to help keep your creativity powers sustainable.
- Diet
Believe it or not, a bad diet may be a leading cause of your writing block. According to Vogue Health, “if your diet is lacking in essential minerals and vitamins, especially vitamin B group and vitamin D, your ability to focus will get worse with time.” Not drinking enough water or having a lack of crucial nutrients and vitamins will distract your brain from giving its full attention to your work. Take some time to learn about your body and what you need to stay healthy and alert.
- Keep a Journal
Do you ever get random story ideas throughout the day or night? Maybe it’s in a class, at work, or even right before you fall asleep. Don’t let these ideas go to waste or let them be forgotten. Have a dedicated journal nearby at all times so that you can write down these random thoughts and ideas. By doing this, if you reach a mental block in the future, you will have a journal full of ideas to help give you the energy you need to keep going. Remember, one idea always leads to another. These ideas are only the roots to more amazing discoveries and creations. Never take a simple burst of creation for granted and simply just WRITE IT DOWN.
- Read a Book
Yup! You heard me right. Go read a book! Bouncing ideas off others is a great way to give you more story ideas. Whether you are inspired by their voice in the story or a certain unique situation in the book, you can always tweak the ideas into your own. Surprisingly, some of our best ideas come when we least expect them. Just sit back and read for a while. Trust me. The ideas WILL come as you are patient and trust the process. Your story should never have a due date or a timeline. Give yourself some time to become inspired!
- Observe Real People
Lastly, taking time to observe real life people can inspire more ideas! Maybe you decide to take the local bus somewhere, or go to a busy cafe. At both of these places you will see a variety of appearances, mannerisms, and personalities. Ultimately, you want your characters to feel real to your audience. So why not learn from REAL people. Maybe you see someone say or act in a way that connects to one of your characters or inspires a new character. Describing someone you see in person is a lot easier than from inside your head. This is a great way to gain a new perspective, especially if you are experiencing a writer’s block.
In conclusion, you need to find balance in your writing. Make sure that you aren’t overworking yourself all at once. Remember, your physical body and mental state depend on one another to function. If you are lacking in one area, it will also affect the other. Take a daily walk, or set aside time to go to the gym and re-stabilize your thoughts. Nutrition also is key to keeping a healthy mindset. Make sure that you set aside time to eat and fuel your body so that it can work at its highest capacity. Also, don’t be afraid to get ideas from others. Read a book, or go observe people in public places. Doing this can give you the inspiration you need to overcome your mental blocks and look at your story from a new perspective. Go and give these strategies a try! In the end, your creations should never have a due date. Inspiration can’t be rushed and nor should you.