Everyone experiences writers' block at some point in their writing career... right? We have all stared at the empty computer screen wondering how to start. The 300-page novel seems an impossible mountain to climb.

Here are the main things I do that inspire or help me when the dark cloud of writers' block descends.

Surround yourself with creative people. Hang out with fellow writers, musicians, poets and artists. Often, just being in a creative environment will inspire you and refresh your creative mind.

Start somewhere. If you create a load of nonsense for a few pages, you’re writing something and you will find, whether it’s creative or not, the brain loosens up and it’s easier to break through the barrier and come up with ideas.

Expose yourself to new art – books, music, paintings – all the time. If you’re a rocker, listen to funk. If you’re a crime writer, read fantasy. If you’re a productivity writer, read something about slacking off.

Develop a “morning ritual. This puts you in the creative zone – whether it’s stream-of-consciousness such as in tip 2, or a series of non-spectacular everyday actions in sequence that tell your brain it’s time to get in the zone. Perhaps you drink a coffee while watching the news before going for a morning walk – if you repeat the same actions before doing creative work for long enough, it eventually creates an association that tells the mind to get in a particular zone.

Use GTD techniques. Free up your mind from the hassles of life by doing an info dump so your head is clear enough to create instead of worrying.

Never stop learning. Read, read and read some more.

Drink coffee. This is my favourite.

Do something new. Read a book if you watch television and watch television if you read. Go outside. If you don’t lunch with friends then do it.

Don’t be too precious about your work. Being inspired by the creative is important, but if the doctor and the store assistant can do their jobs every day, then so can you. Dump the feelings of self importance.

Meet new people from different walks of life. Gain insight into their perspectives on life. Strike up a conversation on the bus. I used this one so much and it gave me the majority of my ideas and characters.

Just Be. Sit quietly, go to sleep, or meditate. Stop thinking and clear your mind so that the clutter doesn’t get in the way of your thoughts.

Creativity is a muscle. Exercise it daily – if you only need to create once a week, your muscles may have atrophied if you don’t do it just because you don’t have to.

Carry a notebook everywhere. You will never remember that funny line you heard or the great plot you just thought of.

If you’re not on a tight deadline, walk away and do something completely unrelated. Don’t let yourself spend that time stressing about what you need to do.

Create a framework. As many writers have said, the blank page can be the biggest show-stopper. Instead of trying to rely on pure inspiration, set your topic or theme and start creating within confines. Think within the box you create for yourself.

Turn off the phone. That friend who calls to complain about their life can wait until you can afford to get stressed about their problems.

Don’t judge your ideas until you have plenty to judge. Don’t be embarrassed by yourself – just write them all down!

Stop telling yourself you’re not creative. If you tell yourself not to come up with ideas, then you probably won’t – no matter how hard you try.

Rest – take breaks and don’t feel guilty about taking them Your mind needs a chance to wind down so it doesn’t overheat and crash.

Exercise every day, before you sit down to be creative. If you exercise afterwards you’ll get the creative burst – just too late.

Spend time with your children. Or someone else’s or your dog; they will appreciate your time.