55 Tricks to BREAK Writer’s Block | Quick Inspiration

They say writer’s block isn’t even a real thing (and I agree in a way), but you know what, when you’re stuck in the middle of a story, struggling to lose yourself in a writing flow, it feels pretty real, doesn’t it?

So I hope this list will help you find what works for you to break writer’s block (and maybe bookmark this for when you need it in the future… or present, lol). Please share your own favorite tips in the comments! With that said, let’s get to it! Make sure you stick around till the end, cause let’s just say I saved the best for last. 😉 

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if you have writer’s block…

1. Use a random word generator. Pick 3 or more random words and dare yourself to work them into what you write for the day. You’ll be amazed at the ideas it gives you! Plus, you may find yourself coming up with some pretty cool metaphors when you use this technique. *speaks from experience* (If you need an online site for this, check this one out. So far it’s worked great for me. I just reload the page every time I need new words.)
2. Change location. Try sitting in different areas in your house. If you’re at your desk, try your bed, a couch in your family room, or the kitchen table.
3. Get outdoors. Go for a walk or bike ride. It may be true that “it’s not like there isn’t air inside” (it’s an Edmund Pevensie reference, for those who didn’t immediately get it 😉 ) but going outside is like stepping into a bigger world. There are literally countless opportunities for inspiration.

4. Listen to music that fits the mood of your story. Try both instrumental and with lyrics if you’re not yet sure which will work best for you. (And draw inspiration from the lyrics too!)
5. Take a break, do something else, and FORGET about writing for at least several minutes.
6. Change your writing medium. If you’re typing, try arming yourself with a pencil and paper. If you’re already using a pencil, try typing or using a pen.
7. Close your eyes and see it play out like a movie. Literally close your eyes and imagine the scene. Then transcribe it to paper.
8. Write in the emotional state you’re at. Instead of staying stuck in the scene you’re at, write a scene corresponding to what you are feeling at the moment. (Boredom? Sadness? Excitement?)
9. Browse for inspiration: let yourself take a minute to randomly browse moodboards, collections of quotes, Pinterest, etc. You also can scroll through my Inspiration page.
10. Do something you’ve been putting off. You may not want this to be writing-related. :)) But go ahead if you want that. The point of this is to get backburner stress out of the way and remind you subconsciously that you can get things done. It’s a win-win.
11. Writing sprints: set a timer and force your fingers to write. It works wonders me, especially if I’m doing it with other writers. (If you don’t have a community of writers you can do this with, join Writers’ Vision! You can also hop on Abbie Emmons’ Write With Me livestreams!)
12. Affirmations. Tell yourself you are a writer. Tell yourself you can write. Tell yourself you have what it takes.
13. Compete with other writers. If competition spurs you on, take full advantage of that and connect with other writers to see who can write the most. This doesn’t work for everyone, but if it works for you, go for it! (Sneaky hint: you technically don’t have to know any other writers for this one. For example, if you see someone post their word count in a YouTube comments section and you’re behind them, you could let that motivate you and compete with that. Just saying.) Just remember not to beat yourself up!
14. Make a music playlist for your story if you haven’t. Add to it if you have.

15. Add in an unexpected character and roll with it, as they say.
16. Remember the purpose of your story: step back and remember why you’re writing your story. Reconnect yourself with the theme and the reason it matters to you.
17. Relax. Tell yourself you’re not in a rush. Remind yourself you can rewrite ALL YOU WANT. Don’t worry about anything. Forget expectations and just write.
18. What’s the purpose of the scene? Ask yourself, what is the purpose of the scene you’re writing? When you pinpoint the goal of your scene, what needs to be written will be so much clearer. Trust me on this.
19. Read a favorite scene from a book you love. And don’t just read it and squeal over it; read it and actually dissect what things you love about the scene.
20. Write a monologue for your main character. Step into their shoes and truly write from their perspective – in the 1st person. Even if your actual story isn’t in the 1st person.
21. Moodboard: make, fine-tune, or add to your story moodboard.
22. Collect quotes that remind you of what your characters are going through. Use this as inspo.
23. Cozy up. Find a snug nook with a cup of something yummy, and make yourself truly comfortable before you write.

24. Enjoy the sound of your fingers hitting the keys as you type and think about the fact that you are a writer. Isn’t it so cool?
25. Actually breathe. Like, in and out. Slowly.
26. Be your main character for a little. Do something unique to their daily routine or wear something similar to their usual clothes. Try to get into their mind and see what new lengths that takes you in your story. 
27. Listen to ambience sounds!!! Search YouTube or check out my Ambience playlist. You’ll probably find something that matches the atmosphere of your current scene. I did a post about it here.
28. Stretch. Chances are you have a lot of tension and stress knots in your neck and shoulders that are actually affecting your writing. Just saying. 😀 (I wish I wasn’t saying this from experience.)
29. Make art for your story. For ideas, draw your favorite character, or write your favorite line in creative lettering and decorate the edges of the paper symbolically. 
30. Compete against your previous records. This can be cool because you’re forcing yourself to remember a previous record – something awesome you accomplished yourself. You’re forcing yourself to realize that you can do it again, because, unless I missed something, you’re still you.
31. Journal what you love about your story. No, not what you hate. What you love. Don’t tell yourself there’s nothing, because there IS something. I’m telling you right now, there are good things about your story. Believe it. And I hope you’ll see it.
32. Reward: find a REAL, tempting reward you will give yourself when you reach your goal.
33. Change your font. This works wonders for me. And try having a different font for each character’s POV.
34. Romanticize the writing process: clean and personalize your writing space by hanging up inspiring quotes and/or art. Make it fun and aesthetic.

35. Switch up page colors: if you’re writing in a Google Doc (or anything that’s compatible with this), change the page colors. Go to File, then Page Setup, then Page Color. What color best fits the vibe of your story? (In general I personally like light pastel shades of colors.)
36. Vibe inspiration: take a minute to write down words that describe the “vibe” of your story. (Cute, harrowing, romantic, vintage, sad, realistic, sweet, mysterious, etc.) Take inspiration from what you come up with.
37. Extra conflict: choose the wrong thing. If you’re stuck and your character is at a crossroads, mental or physical, and you’re wasting your time over what they should do, let them choose the wrong path. Have them say the wrong thing, fail their mission, unknowingly embarrass the person they love. 
38. Listen to heart-pounding instrumental music. (Fallout, Main Theme of Jason Bourne, etc.) Then tell me it doesn’t make you write faster.
39. Take a hot shower. Seriously. It’s bound to relax you – and a relaxed state is perfect for new ideas to spring forth. 
40. Talk to yourself: if you’re stuck at a conversation between characters, try roleplaying and speaking the conversation out loud – or whispering – to yourself. Enacting it will help bring it to life and give you more ideas for different ways for how it could turn out. (I used to do this so often with my sister when we were little, and it never gets old.) Not only is it useful, but it’s fun.
41. Visualize a future reader who needs to hear the truth you want to share with the world through your story. Write for that one person.
42. Obliterate all distractions. Just think twice before you toss anything into the trash can, lol…
43. Add extra suspense to build the tension and help you write faster. Let your character feel like they’re being watched. Introduce a suspicious character. Have someone lie.

44. Challenge mindset: view your story as a challenge that you WILL conquer.
45. Tell yourself you have all day, even if you don’t. Take off the pressure of any deadlines you may have.
46. Watch your favorite movie. Absorb the clever dialogue, richly drawn characters, twisting plot, and immersive setting. Then try writing after that. (This almost always works for me!)
47. Pick a sneaky logical fallacy to slip into the dialogue for the scene you’re writing (and more than one if you’re daring). Then step back and be amazed at the loads of tension, misunderstandings, and conflict it will set off. (Here’s a list of 21 for a start.)
48. Focus in. Narrow things down to one simple yet powerful thing: your character’s internal conflict (desire vs fear). Really keep it in mind as you continue writing. Let it drive the story forward.
49. Make a list of what you love in stories. It can be anything from secret missions to a sweet slowburn romance to a powerful presentation of the Gospel to mouthwatering descriptions of food. Add elements of these in the scene you’re writing.
50. Write your Acknowledgements page as if you’ve already finished. Thank the people who have gotten you to the place you’re at. Visualize yourself finishing the book.
51. New page: give yourself a brand new page to write on. Open up a brand new Google Doc. Flip to a new page in your notebook. Or even get a new notebook. 😉 

52. Listen in on a conversation or watch an interview. Take notes on body language and expressions. Pay attention to the lack of logic or presence thereof in each person’s words. Observe the way certain things aren’t said, speculate on the motives behind what is said. Then pull out your story and weave the fascinating footage you’ve gained into that scene you were writing. If I’m not mistaken, this will really help with emotional subtext.
53. Come up with a metaphor or simile you’ve never heard of before. If you want a prompt, come up with an ending for “soft as,” “painful as,” or “rough as.” Then dare yourself to incorporate that metaphor in the scene you’re writing.
54. Skip over the section that’s giving you trouble and jump straight into the action of the scene you know you’re itching to write.
55. Pray over your writing session. Yes, this is the best tip I have in this entire list. You’re praying to the Creator of the universe, the Maker of this beautiful Earth you live in. If anyone knows how to create art, He does. So petition His help in your writing. Pray for inspiration, ideas, grace to get through, strength to find the motivation you need. Then write Soli Deo Gloria. To His glory. 

11/19/22: BONUS TRICKS!

1. Write fanfiction…with your own characters. Have fun and break all the rules. Just plop those characters down and follow their crazy, random rabbit trails. You can even set your fanfic in a different time period or world, or have them interact with your favorite characters from other stories. The only rule is you must. have. fun. 😜
2. Brainstorm with other people. You don’t even have to give them the full scoop on your whole plot; just list the scenario you’re having trouble with! I promise you’ll get new ideas, and some may be genius. *grins*
3. Write in first person POV in the present tense. You can always go back and change it to your original POV and tense in the edits! This works like magic because you’re basically telling yourself that right now, you are the character. You’re experiencing everything they are. Just try it.
4. Work on a different project. Whether that means writing a short story or plotting that backburner WIP, take a break from living and breathing that other story. 😆 Then you can return to your original WIP with a fresh perspective.
5. Find a nook outside and write by hand. This goes along with changing your location, but you’re actually going outside for this one! I know you can’t do this if it’s cold or raining or if there’s a tornado, but if the weather is tolerably pleasant, give this a try!

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Alright! That’s all I have for you today! Try some out and tell me which worked best for you! Also please share your own tips for getting out of writer’s block! Do you think writer’s block is real? I believe it usually either stems from a fear of failure or a lack of mental refreshment and regeneration. Agree? Disagree?

I hope this was helpful and you were able to get something out of it! Thank you so much for reading! 🙂