Beating writer’s block

Every writer gets stuck. The difference between those who finish and those who do not is having ways to get moving again.

1. Lower the bar

Tell yourself you are writing a terrible first draft. Bad sentences can be fixed; empty pages cannot.

2. Write for ten minutes without stopping

Set a timer and keep your pen moving, even if you write “I don’t know what to write”. Usually, something useful appears.

3. Skip ahead

Stuck on the opening? Write the ending or the most exciting scene first. You can fill in the gaps later.

4. Change the senses

If a scene feels flat, write only what your character can hear or smell. A new angle often unlocks it.

5. Talk it through

Explain your story out loud to a friend, or to yourself. Saying “and then…” often reveals what happens next.

6. Take a walk

Moving helps thinking. Many writers solve plot problems away from the desk.

Try it: next time you are stuck, set a timer for ten minutes and try trick number two.