How to Destroy Writer’s Block
So many times I hear writers, including myself, discuss how much they hate writer's block and would give anything to move past it. Today, I'd like to address the common misconception that is writer's block and how you can indeed overcome it using nothing but your idea cramped brain.
1. Read, Write, Repeat
The more you read, the better you'll write.
There is no better way to understand how to overcome idea cramps and writer's block than to do two things: practice and learn. One of the best ways to learn outside of practicing is to read more. Seriously, don't stop reading. If you want to join the ranks of the best authors, read the best authors. Pick the story apart and discover what makes it work, what makes it compelling and gives you an emotional attachment to the characters. If you find yourself stuck in your story, read someone else's for a little while. Who knows, you may get some inspiration along the way, but even if you don't, you can at least understand what may have to happen in order to move your story forward and not stuck on the couch.
2. Dig Deep
Write what you want to know.
Why are you struggling to write? This is a question you should ask yourself when you inevitably come across your wall, the invisible barrier keeping you from creating the world you see in your mind. What's holding you back? Take a serious look not just in your writing style, but also in your life. What could be holding you back from something in your life? What is it you want out of life? I heard somewhere that we're all told to write what we know, but the really powerful stuff comes when we write what we want to know. When you know what question you need answered in your personal life, write toward that end. Discover what you need to discover, and take your characters with you. You'll be surprised what may come out, and it may just be your best work yet.
3. Stop Being Bored
Change the story. Surprise yourself.
This one sound silly, easier said than done, but it's really simple. Most of the time, I've discovered that I hit a wall in writing simply because I'm bored with the story, the characters, the setting, etc. I just become numb to what's happening, and that should never happen as a creator. When you come across a wall in writing simply because you're bored, give your character something to do! It may be silly and it may not even make it into your final draft, but it might just be the swift kick in your pants that you need to break your funk and get the story moving again!
4. Keep Writing
The worst thing you can do for your story is give up.
Lastly, just keep writing. Quit worrying about what will stay in your story and what won't, just get the ideas that are locked in your brain down onto a paper, digital or practical. Keep writing. There's a story locked inside of you, one you've been writing even when you don't realize it, and it's waiting to come out. Let it out and don't be afraid of what appears on the paper, you may just surprise yourself. And when it's all out and you've exerted your last, then you can begin your rewrites and delete or rewrite the parts that came out as word vomit. But now you have created something, something that may need refining, but is entirely physical and has taken shape. Above all, keep reading, keep writing, and let it all out, even if it doesn't look pretty.
Closing Thoughts
I didn't wait for an epiphany, I kept writing.
Writer's block and idea cramps effect every writer, but the key is not getting bogged down with the thought that you have it, but keep writing, keep going. Here's an interesting story to close this post. I wrote the first paragraph of this post about a week ago and then let it sit, unsure of what to say next. I was blocked. I had no idea how to finish this or what it would look like or even if anyone would read it. But guess what? I sat down and began writing what came into my head. Sure, it wasn't pretty, it was messy, but it came out. I got it out because I kept writing, not because I waited for an epiphany, but because I knew what I inevitably wanted to create, and I trusted that the process would get me there eventually if I just kept writing. So be encouraged! You are way better than you think you are, and you can power through your writer's blocks and idea cramps, I promise you! Keep reading, keep writing, and keep creating.