Helpful Tips to Kick Writer’s Block

Writer's Block Meme

Have writer’s block?

Here are the best writing tips every writer should know

Writing is tricky. A blank canvas can be just as intimidating to an experienced writer as it is to someone just starting out. Writing is also a skill that constantly needs your attention and time. Good writers foster careful observations and compassion for the people and places they encounter on a daily basis. Anything can be interesting if you take the time to pay close attention to your surroundings and jot down what you see. This will help you build more interesting characters and memorable story plots over time. In the wise words of actor George Clooney, “It’s possible for me to make a bad movie out of a good script, but I can’t make a good movie from a bad script.”

Writing Tip Number 1: Writing Prompts are Your Friend

Creative writing prompts are not just for your 6th-grade English class. Writers use prompts to help their ideas flow and move a plot or script in the right direction. We’ve all experienced the following scenario at some point while writing. One minute you have an amazing idea floating around your head and the next…POOF. To get you back on track, you can either buy a book with hundreds of writing prompts in it or use a handy plot generator such as Squibler. This simple website generates 500+ short story ideas with the click of a button.

Writing Tip Number 2: Get Inspired by Other Authors and Creatives

You’re in luck with having entertainment arts as a focus for your work. Many famous directors, screenwriters and artists share their ideas and creative processes on sites like MasterClass and YouTube. Writers like Stephen King have even published books on writing, which are great resources for anyone looking to write. Here are our favorite books for writers:

  • On Writing – Stephen King
  • Bird by Bird – Anne Lamott
  • Save the Cat: The Last Book on Screenwriting You’ll Ever Need – Blake Snyder
  • Adventures in the Screen Trade: A Personal View of Hollywood and Screenwriting – William Goldman

Writing Tip Number 3: Use the Pomodoro Technique

Proper time management is the key to success in school and work. A great tool to use is the Pomodoro Technique if you want to boost your productivity and eliminate distractions that creep in while you work. What is the Pomodoro Technique? Creator Francesco Cirillo coined this method in the late ‘80s as a way to help himself focus on studying for an exam. Cirillo realized that the ideal unit of work was 25 minutes followed by a 2-5 minute break. If you are having trouble concentrating on writing, try the Pomodoro Technique and set a timer for 25-minute increments.

Writing Tip Number 4: Jump Ahead to a Different Section

This writing tip seems odd, but it does help you get your thoughts down quickly. Oftentimes, writers will start with the body of the story and save the introduction for last. The technique here is to just start writing. You can always rewrite your first draft, but the important part is to start somewhere—even if it’s in the middle.

Writing Tip Number 5: STOP reading this post and GO WRITE

Now that you’ve found this super helpful blog post about how to overcome writer’s block, it’s time to start writing. That’s right, set your timer for 25 minutes, and write down your thoughts on the topic or chapter you are focusing on today. The initial draft is the hardest part, but once you have that down you will feel an immense sense of accomplishment. You’ve got this!