We’ve all been there: staring at a blank screen, unable to write a word. Whether we love writing or we struggle to get our thoughts on paper, Writer’s Block impacts us all. Though it affects us at different times and in different ways, almost all of us will experience Writer’s Block at some point in our academic careers.
When does Writer’s Block tend to strike?
- When we’re getting started
- When we can’t find the right way to express a difficult idea
- When we need to pull everything together
While Writer’s Block is most common at the beginning of an assignment, it can happen at any point. Particularly if we’re stressed, or lack confidence with the material, it’s easy to get stuck.
The good news is that if you’re struggling from Writer’s Block, you’re not alone! Even professional authors often experience Writer’s Block. If you’re struggling, this does not mean you aren’t good enough.
There are also tried-and-true methods of working through Writer’s Block. Watch our Lightning session to learn more, then scroll down to read our Top Tips!
[To skip the intros, jump straight to 1:53]
In the recording, we discuss all kinds of ways to beat Writer’s Block. Here are a few of the most effective:
1. Do the Prep Work
Many times, if we’re struggling with Writer’s Block, it’s because we’ve not done the necessary prep-work. Before we start writing, it’s essential to spend time researching the topic and planning a structure for the essay. Once we know what we’re going to write, actually getting the words down becomes much easier.
[Note: Sometimes people procrastinate on writing by spending endless hours researching and planning. If that’s you, it’s important to just start writing! You can always write a bit, then do more research, then write more, then more research… Academic writing doesn’t have to be a linear process.]
2. Take a Break
If the words just aren’t coming, the best thing you can do is take a break. Get away from the screen, and head outside for a walk. You could even do something fun and creative, like play a musical instrument or bake cookies. You just might find that the best ideas come when you’re doing something else!
3. Just Write!
Writer’s Block is often caused by perfectionism. We think every word needs to be perfect, so we struggle to get anything written. If that’s you, the best thing to do is just write. Challenge yourself to write as many words as you can in five minutes. Or try to write a paragraph as badly as possible. It’s perfectly acceptable– and even beneficial!– to have a messy first draft. Just get the words down, then edit later.