5 Factors That Cause Writer’s Block and How to Overcome Them

Almost every author encounters writer's block - no matter how hard you try, you can’t get yourself to write a single line. It’s important to keep in mind that this is a temporary state that all authors experience from time to time. Why does this happen? What factors affect it? Which writing tips will help you to turn it back on? Let’s figure it out.

Why does writer’s block happen in the first place?

In a lot of cases, writer’s block stems from fear- of failure, of not being as good as others, of not getting recognized. It is fear that often causes authors to make excuses for themselves to put off writing. Let's look at some of the most common excuses and rework that thinking:

1. I don’t have enough time. It's okay not to have a ton of time to devote solely to writing. In fact, this circumstance can force you to maximize the time you have available. Be committed to the time you’ve carved out for yourself to write. You can devote at least 10 minutes every day, and while you might not see it instantly, you’ll see results with time.
2. I might fail. And you will. Anyone who tries to succeed is doomed to fail at some point, but that shouldn't stop you. Failure should be taken as a natural occurrence on any path to success. There isn’t a single person whose life is a continuous series of victories.
3. I don't know where to start. Research is great, but you can't research forever. So how do you start writing a book? It seems daunting, but really, you just have to start writing. It doesn’t matter if you scrap it later on, but just getting yourself to overcome starting will make things easier. No one is forcing you to finish it in one go. Take breaks and come back when you’re ready to write again. With online publishing platforms like LiveCarta, you can update your work as you go and at your own pace.
4. I am not in the mood to write. There are days when you don't feel like writing at all, but writing is muscle memory, and it needs to be developed with constant repetition. The more you write, even when you're not in the mood, the better you will get.
5. I don’t know what to write. Sometimes what you write is not nearly as important as how you write. Look for writing prompts online, do some research, and start developing your thoughts.

So now that we’ve discussed the most common excuses writers make, how can you stay motivated when writing a book? Let’s review some factors that trigger writer’s block and writing tips on how to overcome them.

Factor #1: Burnout

Being an author, especially at the start of your career, usually means that you are not able to live off fees and royalties alone. In truth, a majority of young authors often have another job that brings more stable income.

Having to work a full day to make ends meet and then still having to find time for your writing can cause burnouts, leaving you unable to generate fresh ideas.

Solution: Aim to find balance. Your life cannot be a continuous cycle of work. Create time blocks in your day for work, but also for yourself. It’s important to make time for other activities, leaving you breathing room for inspiration.

Factor #2: Stress

Stress can actually motivate you but too much of it and it will loom over you and take up all of your energy. A lot of the time, we don’t even recognize when we are in a constant state of stress. We feel our heart rate go up, our body is in fight-or-flight mode, and we are just trying to respond to what we’re feeling.

Solution: The first thing to do is to catch yourself. Finding awareness in these moments will help you deal with the situation better. Once you recognize that you are stressed, you can focus on what is causing it and what actions to take to help alleviate your problems. A good way to deal with stress is to write. The next time you catch yourself feeling stressed out, put that energy into words. It encourages you to be present and aware of your environment.

Factor #3: Too much information

We are living in a nonstop stream of information noise without even realizing it. From the moment you wake up and check your phone, you unknowingly find yourself flooded with so much information- from news feeds to social media, you consume large amounts of useless and even harmful information that takes time and attention that you could use for other things.

Solution: Avoid mindlessly scrolling through your phone and limit the time you spend on your devices.

Factor #4: Lack of diverse viewpoints

Conversely, you may be missing useful information if it is drowned out by the same things. If you are always watching the same network, reading the same genre, and listening to the same music, you will only ever know the same things. The lack of diversity influences your thinking.

Solution: Diversify the information you consume by exposing yourself to different resources.  Study, read, listen, watch, or visit things outside of your norm. Bringing light to different perspectives will give you a more informed opinion and new ideas you wouldn’t have normally had.

Factor #5: Fear

Some authors fear that their chosen topic has already been well covered. Yes, we live in a time where there is an abundance of knowledge, but this does not mean that your opinion can’t shed new light or a new perspective on that matter.

Solution: Fear will always exist, but it is in us to choose how to respond to that fear. Allow yourself to write, even if it turns out badly. You can always come back to what you wrote and rewrite it. Even the best authors will take time to polish their material.

Summary

Now you know how to avoid writer’s block and write more effectively. Don't let excuses get in the way of your goals. If you want to write, start today.

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