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Things That May Be Causing Your Writer's Block- and How to Beat Them

I don't like the term 'Writer's Block' - not because it isn't real, but because the term is so vague that it's useless. Hundreds of issues all get lumped together under this one umbrella, making writer's block seem like this all-powerful boogeyman that's impossible to beat. Worse yet, it leaves people giving and receiving advice that is completely ineffective because people often don't realize they're talking about entirely different issues.

In my experience, the key to beating writer's block is figuring out what the block even is, so I put together a list of Actual Reasons why you may be struggling to write:

(note that any case of writer's block is usually a mix of two or more)

Perfectionism (most common)

What it looks like:

You write one sentence and spend the next hour googling "synonyms for ___"

Write. Erase. Write. Rewrite. Erase.

Should I even start writing this scene when I haven't figured out this one specific detail yet?

I hate everything I write

Cringing while writing

My first draft must be perfect, or else I'm a terrible writer

Things that can help:

Give yourself permission to suck

Keep in mind that nothing you write is going to be perfect, especially your first draft

Think of writing your first/early drafts not as writing, but sketching out a loose foundation to build upon later

People write multiple drafts for a reason: write now, edit later

Stop googling synonyms and save that for editing

Write with a pen to reduce temptation to erase

Embrace leaving blank spaces in your writing when you can't think of the right word, name, or detail

It's okay if your writing sucks. We all suck at some point. Embrace the growth mindset, and focus on getting words on a page

Lack of inspiration (easiest to fix)

What it looks like:

Head empty, no ideas

What do I even write about???

I don't have a plot, I just have an image

Want to write but no story to write

Things that can help:

Google writing prompts

If writing prompts aren't your thing, instead try thinking about what kind of tropes/genres/story elements you would like to try out

Instead of thinking about the story you would like to write, think about the story you would like to read, and write that

It's okay if you don't have a fully fleshed out story idea. Even if it's just an image or a line of dialogue, it's okay to write that. A story may or may not come out of it, but at least you got the creative juices flowing

Stop writing. Step away from your desk and let yourself naturally get inspired. Go for a walk, read a book, travel, play video games, research history, etc. Don't force ideas, but do open up your mind to them

If you're like me, world-building may come more naturally than plotting. Design the world first and let the story come later

Boredom/Understimulation (lost the flow)

What it looks like:

I know I should be writing but uugggghhhh I just can'tttttt

Writing words feels like pulling teeth

I started writing, but then I got bored/distracted

I enjoy the idea of writing, but the actual process makes me want to throw my laptop out the window

Things that can help:

Introduce stimulation: snacks, beverages, gum, music such as lo-fi, blankets, decorate your writing space, get a clickity-clackity keyboard, etc.

Add variety: write in a new location, try a new idea/different story for a day or so, switch up how you write (pen and paper vs. computer) or try voice recording or text-to-speech

Gamify writing: create an arbitrary challenge, such as trying to see how many words you can write in a set time and try to beat your high score

Find a writing buddy or join a writer's group

Give yourself a reward for every writing milestone, even if it's just writing a paragraph

Ask yourself whether this project you're working on is something you really want to be doing, and be honest with your answer

Intimidation/Procrastination (often related to perfectionism, but not always)

What it looks like:

I was feeling really motivated to write, but then I opened my laptop

I don't even know where to start

I love writing, but I can never seem to get started

I'll write tomorrow. I mean next week. Next month? Next month, I swear (doesn't write next month)

Can't find the time or energy

Unreasonable expectations (I should be able to write 10,000 words a day, right????)

Feeling discouraged and wondering why I'm even trying

Things that can help:

Follow the 2 min rule (or the 1 paragraph rule, which works better for me): whenever you sit down to write, tell yourself that you are only going to write for 2 minutes. If you feel like continuing once the 2 mins are up, go for it! Otherwise, stop. Force yourself to start but DO NOT force yourself to continue unless you feel like it. The more often you do this, the easier it will be to get started

Make getting started as easy as possible (i.e. minimize barriers: if getting up to get a notebook is stopping you from getting started, then write in the notes app of your phone)

Commit to a routine that will work for you. Baby steps are important here. Go with something that feels reasonable: every day, every other day, once a week, twice a week, and use cues to help you remember to start. If you chose a set time to write, just make sure that it's a time that feels natural to you- i.e. don't force yourself to writing at 9am every morning if you're not a morning person

Find a friend or a writing buddy you can trust and talk it out or share a piece of work you're proud of. Sometimes we just get a bit bogged down by criticism- either internal or external- and need a few words of encouragement

The Problem's Not You, It's Your Story (or Outline (or Process))

What it looks like:

I have no problems writing other scenes, it's just this scene

I started writing, but now I have no idea where I'm going

I don't think I'm doing this right

What's an outline?

Drowning in documents

This. Doesn't. Make. Sense. How do I get from this plot point to this one?!?!?! (this ColeyDoesThings quote lives in my head rent free cause BOY have I been there)

Things That Can Help:

Go back to the drawing board. Really try to get at the root of why a scene or story isn't working

A part of growing as a writer is learning when to kill your darlings. Sometimes you're trying to force an idea or scene that just doesn't work and you need to let it go

If you don't have an outline, write one

If you have an outline and it isn't working, rewrite it, or look up different ways to structure it

You may be trying to write as a pantser when you're really a plotter or vice versa. Experiment with different writing processes and see what feels most natural

Study story structures, starting with the three act structure. Even if you don't use them, you should know them

Check out Ellen Brock on YouTube. She's a professional novel editor who has a lot of advice on writing strategies for different types of writers

Also check out Savage Books on YouTube (another professional story editor) for advice on story structure and dialogue. Seriously, I cannot recommend this guy enough

Executive Dysfunction, Usually From ADHD/Autism

What it looks like:

Everything in boredom/understimulation

Everything in intimidation/procrastination

You have been diagnosed with and/or have symptoms of ADHD/Autism

Things that can help:

If you haven't already, seek a diagnosis or professional treatment

Hire an ADHD coach or other specialist that can help you work with your brain (I use Shimmer; feel free to DM me for a referral)

Seek out neurodiverse and neurodiverse writing communities for advice and support

Try body doubling! There's lot's of free online body doubling websites out there for you to try. If social anxiety is a barrier, start out with writing streams such as katecavanaughwrites on Twitch

Be aware of any sensory barriers that may be getting in the way of you writing (such as an uncomfortable desk chair, harsh lighting, bad sounds)

And Lastly, Burnout, Depression, or Other Mental Illness

What it looks like:

You have symptoms of burnout or depression

Struggling with all things, not just writing

It's more than a lack of motivation- the spark is just dead

Things that can help:

Forget writing for now. Focus on healing first.

Seek professional help

If you feel like it, use writing as a way to explore your feelings. It can take the form of journaling, poetry, an abstract reflection of your thoughts, narrative essays, or exploring what you're feeling through your fictional characters. The last two helped me rediscover my love of writing after I thought years of depression had killed it for good. Just don't force yourself to do so, and stop if it takes you to a darker place instead of feeling cathartic

Recently, I have been reflecting a lot about myself and my personal growth from the past year. This year was tough for me, academically and personally. And many, many, many things have not gone my way. So, I uh, I have kind of failed a lot this year? I think I have failed more in this past year than in the previous nineteen years of my life. I failed at my new job, I almost failed calculus, my grades have struggled all year long, I had to withdraw from my summer class, etc. As hard as this year has been, I definitely think I am a better person now that I am on the other side of it. I am so much stronger than I was June 29th of last year. I have had to grown up a lot, and learned some “big girl” lessons. So here are my thoughts on dealing with failure, in school and just in life in general,  and how to tackle all the messy emotions that come along with it. 

1.) Remember: college is a tough environment. 

Most of my friends and acquaintances are all tirelessly working towards some impressive end goal (graduating, getting into med school, getting an internship). Many of my friends are also in hard programs, and must be at top performance at all times. I attend a competitive university, and so it really does seem like EVERYONE has their life together. Everyone I know has big dreams/goals/plans. We are all trying SO damn hard to succeed at our respective fields, and it can be hard to always be around successful, overachieving friends. Most of the time it is great– I have a great support system and I love to see all the great things my friends are doing…but

It can be so hard to not compare. It’s hard when everyone seems to have everything working out for them, and I don’t. Especially when I feel as though I put in an equal amount of effort. It is important to remember that first of all, it is impressive that you are even in college. You would not have gotten accepted into your university if you could not have handled the work. It is important to remember in school, that everyone goes through their struggles. Some struggles are just more apparent than others. 

2.) It’s okay to not be perfect. 

I know this can sound cheesy, but it is true. I struggle with perfectionism. I always feel like I need to be in top performance mode for school, but somedays, I just can’t be. I get tired, or sad, discouraged and stressed, just the same as everyone does. You aren’t a robot, and you can’t just go-go-go without stopping. Sometimes to you need to stop and take a break. It is okay to rest. Resting is not quitting. It is not failure. 

3.) Reflect and learn from what happened…then MOVE ON. 

I honestly think this is the most important point. It’s very important to look back on your past mistakes and think “What could I have done differently?”…Could I have studied more effectively? Could I have started planning earlier? Could I have been a better friend? Use your failures to your advantage– learn something from them. This is how you better yourself. 

However, after wallowing in self-pity, and dwelling on whatever happened, move on. It is now in the past. It is done. It is hard to not be hard on yourself. Nobody is perfect. No one should expect you to be perfect, and you should not expect that of others. 

4.) Failure is necessary.

Failure is the scary part about “putting yourself out there,” in every aspect of life. But, it does make you a tougher person. I have failed a lot in my life, but I can say with confidence that I have more grit than pretty much anyone else I know. I throw myself at my goals, but only get the desired results half the time. That is life. Life is not fair. I have such a steadfast grasp on what I want to do with my life, and I refuse to let any obstacle overcome that. My failures have made me realize how badly I want to achieve my dreams. If you are not comfortable with failing, then you are going to miss out on a lot of life experiences. It’s going to happen to you, no one is immune. 

Well, I hope anything I said comforts at least one person. If anyone else out there isn’t having the best time, remember: it’s okay. You are doing enough just by trying. Go do great things, friends. 

Jenna Ortega

Elf (2003) dir. Jon Favreau

First day at work 😱

Source

50 Things that Top Students Do

Listen to everything they’re taught, not just hearing

Take notes

Listen to opinions they don’t like

Be open to having their minds changed

Don’t listen to music with words when studying

Practise

Commit

Keep a regimen of self-discipline even in the face of a lack of motivation

Take breaks

Sleep regularly and more than expected

Work very hard during the day

Exercise

Plan in advance

Get small tasks done when there isn’t time to do bigger ones

Engage

Take failures as a learning curve

Think positively

Do their best work at the start of the year so they get more slack later

Talk to those who teach them

Debate

Do a little every day instead of all at once

Ask for help

Help others

Drink water

Work hard but work smart

Know what study setup is their most productive

Hold themselves accountable

Figure out which work is a priority

Don’t waste time re-reading as a form of studying

Find out things they don’t understand

Test themselves frequently

Work backwards through things to understand why something works

Learn more than they need

Have more interests and hobbies than just academics

Find out the most important concepts in a course

Learn the most important 20% of the course to get 80% of the grade

Don’t complain

Tailor their courses to focus on what interests them the most

Play hard after working hard

Read in advance

Know how to say no but don’t say no unless they have to

Take every opportunity they can

Eat well

Defend their personal beliefs

Don’t use other people’s successes/failures as an excuse for anything they do

Don’t let studying become the main part of their life

Understand that everything is temporary

Set goals, short- and long-term

Put their phones away/on silent when studying

Don’t expect any results immediately

Incense Meanings

Acacia: Burned with sandalwood to stimulate the psychic powers.

African Violet: Protection and to promote spirituality within the home.

Allspice: Attract both good luck and money.

Aloes: Attract good fortune, love, spiritual vibrations, and strength.

Althea: Protection and to stimulate the psychic powers.

Amber: Love, comfort, happiness and healing

Ambergris: Burn for dreams and aphrodisiac

Angelica: Protection, harmony, integration, insight and understanding, stability and meditation

Anise seeds: Meditation and emotional balance incense.

Basil: exorcise and protect against evil entities such as demons and unfriendly ghosts, and to attract fidelity, love, good luck, sympathy, and wealth. This is also an excellent incense to use when performing love divinations.  Also burn for concentration, assertiveness, decisiveness, trust, integrity, enthusiasm, mental clarity, cheerfulness, confidence and courage

Bay: Facilitate the psychic powers, and to induce prophetic dream-visions.

Bayberry: Attract money and also burned for protection, happiness and control

Benzoin: Purification, astral projection, clears negative energy, emotional balance, eases sadness, depression, weariness, grief, anger, anxiety and to attract prosperity

Bergamot: Money, prosperity, uplifting of spirits, joy, protection, concentration, alertness, confidence, balance, strength, courage, motivation and assertiveness

Bistort: Burned often with frankincense as a powerful incense to aid divination.

Bracken: Burned in outdoor fires to magickally produce rain.

Cardamom: Mental clarity, concentration, confidence, courage, enthusiasm and motivation

Carnation: protection, strength, healing, love and lust

Cedar: Purification, to stimulate or strengthen the psychic powers, attract love, prevent nightmares, and heal various ailments, including head colds.

Cedarwood: Healing, purification, protection, money, balance, grounding, clarity, insight and wisdom

Chamomile: Harmony, peace, calm, spiritual and inner peace

Cinnamon: Protection and to attract money, wealth, prosperity, business success, stimulate or strengthen the psychic powers, and aid in healing.  Also burned for stimulation, strength and lust

Citron: Burned in rituals to aid healing and also to strengthen the psychic powers.

Citronella: Cleansing, warding off, healing and exorcism

Clove: Dispel negativity, purify sacred and magickal spaces, attract money, and stop or prevent the spread of gossip. Also burn for pain relief, intellectual stimulation, business success, wealth, prosperity, divination, exorcism, protection, eases fears, improves memory and focus

Coconut: Protection

Copal: Purification, uplifting spirits, protection, exorcism, spirituality and to attract love.

Cypress: Strength, comfort, healing, eases anxiety, stress, self-assurance, confidence, physical vitality, willpower and concentration

Damiana: Facilitate psychic visions.

Dittany of Crete: Conjure spirits and to aid in divination, astral projection, especially when mixed with equal parts of benzoin, sandalwood, and vanilla.

Dragon's Blood: Dispel negativity, exorcise evil supernatural entities, courage, purification, attract love, and restore male potency. Many Witches also burn dragon's blood for protection when spell casting and invoking. When added to other incenses, dragon's blood makes their magickal powers all the stronger.

Elecampane: Strengthen the clairvoyant powers and scrying abilities-divination by gazing.

Eucalyptus: Healing, purification and protection

Fern: Burned in outdoor fires to magickally produce rain. Also used to exorcise evil supernatural entities.

Frankincense: Dispel negativity, spirituality, purify magickal spaces, consecration, protect against evil, exorcism, aid meditation, astral strength, induce psychic visions, courage, protection, attract good luck, and honor Pagan deities.

Fumitory: Exorcise demons, poltergeists, and evil supernatural entities.

Galangal: Break the curses cast by sorcerers.

Gardenia: Peace, love and healing

Ginger: Wealth, lust, love and magical power

Ginseng root: keep wicked spirits at bay, and for protection against all forms of evil.

Gotu Kola: Burned to aid meditation.

Heather: Conjure beneficial spirits, and to magickally produce rain.

Hibiscus Flowers: Attract love, lust and also for divination.

Honey Suckle: Attract money, happiness, friendship and healing

Horehound: Burned as an offertory incense to the ancient Egyptian god Horus.

Hyacinth: Happiness and protection

Jasmine: Attract love and money, and also to induce dreams of a prophectic nature, purification, wisdom and astral projection

Juniper: stimulate or increase the psychic powers, and also to break curses, exorcism and hexes cast by evil sorcerers. It is also burned for calming, protection and healing.

Lavender: Induce rest and sleep, and to attract love-especially of a man. Also burned for cleansing, healing, happiness and relaxation

Lemon: Healing, love and purification

Lemongrass: Mental clarity

Lilac: Stimulate or increase the psychic powers, and to attract harmony into ones life.

Lotus: Elevate mood, protection, spirituality, healing and meditation

Mace: Stimulate or increase the psychic powers.

Mastic: Conjure beneficial spirits, stimulate or increase the psychic powers, and intensify sexual desires. The magickal powers of other incenses are greatly increased when a bit of mastic is added.

Mesquite: Magickal powers of all healing incenses are greatly increased when mesquite is added

Mint: Increase sexual desire, exorcise evil supernatural entities, conjure beneficial spirits, and attract money. Mint incense also possesses strong healing vibrations and protective powers.

Musk: Aphrodisiac, prosperity, courage

Myrrh: Burned (often with frankincense) for purification, consecration, healing, exorcism, and banishing evil. Myrrh is also aids meditation rituals, and was commonly burned on alters in ancient Egypt as an offering to deities Isis and Ra.

Nutmeg: Aid meditation, stimulate or increase the psychic powers, and to attract prosperity.

Oakmoss: Money and attraction

Orange: Divination, love, luck and money

Patchouli: Attract money, love, growth, mastery, sensuality and also to promote fertility.

Peppermint: Energy, mental stimulant, exorcism and healing

Pine: Purification, and to banish negative energies, exorcise evil supernatural entities, and attract money, as well as to break hexes and return them to their senders. Also burned for grounding, strength, cleansing and healing

Poppy seeds: Promote female fertility, and to attract love, good luck, and money.

Rose: Increase courage, induce prophetic dreams, house blessing, fertility, healing and attract love. Rose incense is used in all forms of love enchantment and possesses the strongest love vibration of any magickal incense.

Rose Geranium: Courage and protection

Rosemary: Purify, aid in healing, prevent nightmares, preserve youthfulness, dispel depression, attract fairy folk, and promote restful sleep and pleasant dreams.

Rue: Help restore health.

Sage: Protection against all forms of evil. It is also burned to purify sacred spaces and ritual tools. Plus it is great for promoting wisdom, clarity, attract money, and aid in the healing the body, mind, and soul.

Sage Brush: Aid healing, and to banish negative energies and evil supernatural entities.

Sandalwood: Exorcise demons and evil ghosts, conjure beneficial spirits, and promote spiritual awareness. Sandalwood incense is also used by many Witches for protection, astral projection, healing rituals and in wish-magick.

Solomon's Seal: Mainly as an offertory incense to ancient Pagan deities

Star Anise Seeds: Stimulate or increase the psychic powers

Strawberry: Attract love and for luck.

Sweetgrass: Conjure beneficial spirits prior to spell casting.

Sweet pea: Friendship, love and courage

Thyme: Purification of magickal spaces prior to rituals, to aid in healing, and to attract good health.

Vanilla: Attract love, increase sexual desire, and improve the powers of the mind.

Vervain: Exorcise evil supernatural entities.

Vetivert: Break curses, exorcism, for protection against black magick and thieves, money, peace and love.

Violet: Break curses, exorcism, for protection against black magick and thieves, money, peace and love.

Willow: Avert evil, attract love, and promote healing. It is also used by many Witches as an offertory incense for Pagan lunar deities.

Wisteria: Protection against all forms of evil.

Wormwood: Protection against all forms of evil.

Yarrow: Courage, exorcism

Ylang Ylang: Love, harmony and euphoria