Writing is an individual activity. Inspiration can strike anywhere. However, the craft of writing is solitary and cognitively intensive. As a result, writers encounter writers’ block. It is a natural part of the writing process. My experience is that writers’ block can lead to positive outcomes too. I am learning as I go, and this is my effort to share my learning with fellow writers. In this article, I outline six tips to combat writers’ block. These tips are:

Specific writing output

Mental editing

Sleeping on it

Parking it temporarily

Identifying triggers

Consistent effort

Tip 1 – Specific writing output

This is a basic rule to help writers keep on track. First, decide on the frequency of writing – every day, alternate days, twice a week, and so on. Second, assign a specific writing output – a unit of work or unit of time. Eg: I will write 800 words every day. I will write for 90 minutes every alternate day.

Once you decide this, stick to it strictly. The quality of writing is not important here, the discipline is. You could also seek help from others. Share your plan with a family member or a friend and ask them to check in with you. Set up a reminder on your phone or a calendar application. By sharing your commitment with someone else, you get an extra push. Keep at it!

Tip 2 – Stay away from mental editing

I struggle with mental editing. Ideas come to me in everyday situations – while engaged in household chores, while taking a walk, while reading a book, while talking to someone. In that state, I explore the idea mentally. I outline the idea, expand it, even write a few lines in my mind. I do all this before I get to my notebook. Unfortunately, I also edit during the process. Bingo! When I edit mentally, I decide that the idea was not so good after all and discard it. Due to this flawed process, many of my ideas do not even make it to the draft level.

Avoid editing in your mind as much as you can. No matter how bad you think the idea is, put it down on paper. You can delete it later, but do not delete it in your mind. You do not know how it could evolve. This activity not only ensures that ideas are converted into drafts but also sharpens your writing skills. Say no to mental editing!

Tip 3 – Sleep on it

Many times, once you start writing and get to an early draft version, you get stuck and are unable to continue. This is a desperate situation and leads to frustration. When this happens, leave the draft where it is. Give yourself some time to rest. Sleep on it. Deep-thinking cognitive processes happen during sleep. Allow your body’s natural rhythm to help you. Once your body and mind are refreshed by sleep, review your draft again. You will find creative ways to get unstuck.

In part 2 of this article, we will examine the remaining three tips.