Let’s talk about the roadblock that knocks down even the most seasoned authors… writer’s block. 😱

Sometimes it hits when you’re halfway through a novel. Other times it’s waiting for you on page one. Whenever and wherever it happens, it’s inconvenient and demoralizing. Cue this post! 🛟 

Here are six strategies that can help you to get unstuck and back to writing:

1. Skip ahead. ⏭️
Don’t force yourself to write the next chronological scene. Jump to the part you want to write: the dead body being found, the spicy kiss, or the twist that’s been simmering in your brain for weeks. You can always go back to the “stuck” section later. I typically just add in a placeholder page, with a quick outline of what I expect to happen in this scene, then jump to what I want to write.

2. Change your setting. 🏞️
Sometimes your brain just needs a pattern interruption. If you normally write at your desk, try the couch, a coffee shop, or even the passenger seat of your car. A new environment can give you a fresh lens—and sometimes just being around other humans (especially strangers who won’t interrupt) helps quiet the inner critic. I also find that using pen and paper versus my computer also gives my brain a happy bump when it’s refusing to move.

3. Re-read what you’ve written so far. 🤓
Go back and read/edit 5,000 words or further behind your stuck point. Often, your story is already moving—it just needs a push from behind. Like a rolling stone, once it gets going, the momentum can help push you past the block. 

4. Set a 15-minute timer. ⏲️
Give yourself permission to write garbage for fifteen minutes. Don’t edit, second-guess your words, or care if they don’t make sense with the plot. You might only get a few sentences… or you might find yourself on a roll and losing track of time. If you make any progress at all, reset the timer and start again.

5. Examine the source of the block. 🔎
Writer’s block is often a symptom, not the cause. Take a break and consider what is stopping you from putting words down on the page. 
Is it…
• Self-doubt? “This book stinks. It’s a waste of my time.”
• Perfectionism? “I can’t write the next scene until I fix chapters eight, eleven, and twenty-four.”
• Fear of judgment? “What if people hate it?”
Figuring out why you’re stuck can be incredibly freeing. Once you pinpoint the fear, research that fear online and find mental tricks to move past it. 

6. Outline your next three scenes (a few different ways). ✍️
Sometimes you’re blocked because you just don’t know what happens next. Try brainstorming 2–3 possible directions your story could go, and don’t worry about whether they’re “right.” Give yourself options, then choose the most compelling path and write that one. (You can always change your mind later.)

I want to wrap up by saying that you’re not alone. Almost every writer on the planet—bestsellers especially—hits creative walls. The key isn’t to avoid the walls (you often can’t!). The key is to learn how to climb over or push through them.

And if you ever want regular encouragement, tools, and strategy paths to help you move forward, check out Inkers Mastermind. Each month, we focus on a different aspect of your author career, and it’s how I’ve made significant strides in my writing and success in the last two years.

Learn more about Mastermind >> https://inkerscon.com/mastermind

Keep your chin up and keep going. Your future readers are waiting!

Sincerely,

Alessandra Torre