Ever since I transitioned into a fiction writer, I’ve run into these insane walls. It’s the kind of blocks that make you doubt your abilities as a writer. You question whether this story’s dead-end is a sign it’s time to burn it. Maybe this story isn’t meant to be, you think to yourself. Maybe you don’t have the chops to be a fiction writer.
It’s not like this didn’t happen when writing nonfiction. But I was able to research might way out of it. And I had an editor with a deadline, which are good incentives. But as I’ve been tackling stories for 8 years now, I’ve learned there are similarities in the fiction world when it comes to writer’s block.
Fear is going to follow you no matter what genre you tackle or how long you’ve been a writer. Thankfully, the tools that helped me through nonfiction essays and articles are just as vital in the fiction world.
Here are four essential tips to combat writer’s block:
- Rest.
The problem with many writers who are often Type A perfectionist type is that we have a history of succeeding by an uncanny knack for self-discipline and control. This makes us great at deadlines and accomplishing to-do lists. What it’s less helpful with are solving problems and getting answers. You cannot force your way through a story’s muddled middle or unsatisfying end. And the more you bang your head against the keyboard to figure it out, the worse it gets. Pressure it seems is wonderful for a deadline. But it’s not so great when it comes to getting unstuck. Taking a few days or even a week to do something else is a game-changer. It’s restorative and refreshes you so that you can return to your desktop with a new state of mind.
2. Put yourself in the perspective of your character.
This isn’t just about writing a story as a narrator. This is imagining you are your main character. I did this twice now and it worked miraculously. Sometimes we guard ourselves against getting too intimate with our characters. That can be due to fear. Putting distance between us and our characters is a coping mechanism, a way to prevent us from really seeing how bad/good our writing is. This defense mechanism is appropriate when writing a first draft. Otherwise we’d never get anything done. But inevitably we must return for a deeper dive into our characters and understand who they are and how they feel so that our readers can empathize with them as well.
3. Research.
Research requires using your left-brain which is great for us who aren’t as comfortable with the unknown. It focuses our energies on what we can control, which are facts and information. Even in fiction, it’s a great idea to dive into things like setting, music, language, food, and culture. Even if you never use anything that you learn, the information will filter into your subconscious and guide you in unexpected ways. Just the other day, I read a fascinating article on why there are few Hawaii children’s writers and illustrators. Later in the evening, I read a parenting book and then a how-to article in The Writer magazine. And then I went for a walk with my dog. That night, while I was trying to go to sleep, I imagined what it felt like to be my character and suddenly I knew what was missing. My brain was forming connections with everything I experiencing during the day and it created the necessary link to finalize my story.
4. Play.
To feed the muse, I need to play. This requires time in nature, experiencing something new, and being inspired by art. Downtime when you’re not consciously trying to solve a problem is as essential to rest. You need to take fun seriously. Once you prepare your ingredients (the above three items), give yourself a break. Being in the present moment allows problems to work themselves out. I imagine tiny electric pulses in my brain making connections while I’m busy enjoying my life.
This is how you get unstuck from writer’s block. You control what you can and release everything else. There is magic involved in the writing process. And of course, there is work. Once you do the work, the magic part comes easier.
