How to Overcome Writer's Block

1. Allow yourself to daydream while outside, stirring up childlike wonder.

Sitting in front of a computer screen isn't always the most inspirational, especially when you're working towards a deadline. Removing yourself from the writing project is actually highly beneficial. I recommend getting outside, taking a deep breath, and stretching your arms high above your head. Then, take a seat and close your eyes. Forget about your current project. Try your best to think about yourself as a child again, and remember how big your imagination used to be. Allow yourself to daydream without limitation. What created a sense of wonder back then? Reignite those awestruck moments in your mind while breathing in that fresh outdoor air. When you're ready to open your eyes, try to see the world around you as if you were that kid again, full of questions and curiosity, letting the unknown open the door to wonder. Once you've given yourself enough time to reset, maybe by taking an extended leisurely walk, head back in with a perspective full of possibilities and freedom with less pressure and more imagination. 

2. Tell a story about yourself in third person, and add in any imaginable conflict.

You may have heard of specific tips when writing a novel, such as following a strict word count goal each week. While I highly recommend using this strategy, it does force you to continue your story almost every day. For me, it was usually first thing in the morning as I had a full-time job, as well, during this process. Sometimes, when I sat down at my computer, I simply stared. I knew I had to start writing, but I was groggy and didn't always have the next part of the story planned out. The more this happened, I came up with a system where I would think back on my own life where I had experienced conflict or transformation. I would relive the experience, although sometimes painful, but retell it in third person, removing myself a step away from it. Instead of explaining exactly how it went, I added other interesting elements, making it a narrative I would binge watch, rather than a factual occurrence. I created scenarios of further conflict, which then led to another messy scenario, and so on. This was a great exercise to get out of my head and open the door to fresh ideas that could translate over into my characters. 

3. Read books or articles in your genre.

As writers, we think we need to be constantly writing. Of course, practicing the craft is necessary, but whenever you're stuck, the best thing you can do isn't write, but rather read. Whether you're writing a book, magazine article, etc., reading stories that have a similar tone or that are in your genre, can bring back your spark. It allows you to remove the focus from your project and shift into someone else's who has thought of things you haven't. It's incredibly difficult to take the time away from your writing to read, but it exposes you to someone else's train of thought rather than your own, almost like you're in a brainstorming session with a fellow author.