No one wants to visit writer’s block. But it happens, especially after months and months of a pandemic. The world can be distracting and disturbing. My brain and body can become too out of kilter to write. I get stuck. I doubt myself and my stories. It happens to all creators at some point.
It can feel like I’m wandering in an endless loop. Or like I’m trapped and unable to move.
When I visit schools, I often get asked how I overcome writer’s block. Here are a few ways that have worked for me. Hopefully, you’ll find something that’ll work for you when you get stuck.
Ways to Overcome Writer’s Block
Set a daily word count. Sometimes, I need to push my way through a writing block. By writing a little bit every day, I keep my story in my head. I like to set a low daily word count, like 200 words/day. I often write more, but my goal is to get started each day.
Put the manuscript in a drawer. When I’m not sure what to write next in a story, I write down the unanswered questions I have about the manuscript, then I put it away for a few days, weeks, or months. My subconscious writer’s brain will work on answering the questions while I’m doing other things. When I come back to the manuscript, I’m often surprised to discover that I have the answers to my questions.
Get feedback from trusted critique partners. I’m a big fan of writing critique groups and partners, partly because it’s hard to be objective about our own writing and partly because I adore spending time with other writers. When I’m stuck, fresh eyes on my manuscript can help me find new ways forward. And helping other writers makes me a better writer too.
Re-read what I already wrote on a story. When I sit down to write each day, I usually re-read what I wrote on it the day before. Sometimes, I need to re-read an entire draft of a novel to be able to see how to write the next part.
Talk with a friend about why I’m stuck. I often talk to a friend or family member when I’m stuck. As I talk, the problem usually comes into focus. Sometimes, they have ideas that spark me. Either way, I feel supported and ready to dive back in.
Write outside of the story. Some people call this “side writing,” and it can take many forms. For example, I might write a scene from a different character’s point of view, write a letter from one character to another, brainstorm ideas for what might happen next, ask my character a series of questions to get to know them better, write a poem about my story, and so on. There are a million ways to do side writing, but basically, the goals are to play with your story, to loosen up, to get to know your story and characters better, and to re-kindle your writing.
Take a writing class or read about writing craft. When I’m struggling with a manuscript, sometimes I need to learn more about how to tackle a particular writing challenge. For example, I took screen-writing courses when I had trouble with plotting, and I regularly read books about writing for tips and techniques.
Take a break. Not every day is a writing day. It’s okay not to write for days or even months at a time. Sometimes, I need to get away from my writing desk to rest and recover or to experience the world. So if writing is slow, consider taking a nap, going for a walk, or even launching a grand adventure! Of course, these days, that will be six-feet apart and wearing a mask, but we can still find ways to adventure.
If you have other suggestions for overcoming writer’s block, please let me know. I’d love to hear them!
My writing space has been in transition for three years as I’ve moved from home to home to home. And during this time, most of my books have been in cardboard boxes, shuffled from place to place. I’ve missed them.
One great thing about writing is that it’s accessible. Anyone can do it with only a pen and paper. On a phone. On the back of a grocery bill.
I’ve learned to write in cafés and libraries. While I’m walking or lying in bed. Even in doctor’s waiting rooms. It’s good to know that I can write wherever I am.
Now, I’m in a fresh, new writing space with a new desk and – best of all – bookshelves. Right now, they’re empty, ready to welcome my books. I don’t want to rush this unpacking. I want to figure out how to organize them. By genre? By size? By colour? So many possibilities.
What will I write in this space? What new stories will come to be? What frustrations will I face? I can only imagine the possibilities. But at least I’ll face them with my books, spines out, pages full of facts and stories that are my old, familiar friends.
Each episode of Cabin Tales focuses on one aspect of creative writing, such as setting. They include original spooky stories, excerpts from creepy classics, and writing tips from authors like me. The stories are deliciously monstrous – ones you might tell around a campfire to scare your friends – so Catherine warns that they’re not for very young listeners.
Cabin Tales also encourages young writers to share their own stories with fun weekly prompts. I hope you check it out!
A global pandemic. Self-isolation. Health worries. No work. Too much work. Unsafe work. Unsafe streets. Blatant racism on display in the most gut-wrenching ways. These days, it can be hard to concentrate. Hard to sleep. Hard to see the way forward.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve had trouble reading and writing over the last five months. My mind races from one dire situation to the next. I’m easily distracted. And if you’re one of those people who can’t concentrate, who can’t read right now, that’s okay. However you feel, that’s okay.
When I’m awake at night worrying and wishing I could get back to sleep, I remember when I was a kid, when I used to stay awake on purpose, vowing to read the whole night through. Sometimes I would set a stack of comic books beside my bed, determined to read them all. Other times, I’d read a novel under the covers. Reading has always been a joyful escape, and writing too.
Is there a book that might help you escape right now? That might bring you happiness?
Or maybe you have a story inside you that wants to be written? That helps you move forward? If you do, I hope you write that story.
A year ago, I announced my debut picture book – a story of two siblings told in just 230 words to be published by Owlkids Books in Fall 2021. Yesterday, I reviewed the illustration roughs for it by Anna Kwan, and they were brimming with life and emotion. I can’t wait to share more about this book!
Now, I’m excited to announce that I’ve signed a contract with Owlkids Books for a second picture book! I’m thrilled to be working with the talented Owlkids team once again. This time, it’s a nonfiction picture book, and I’ll share more about it later. The germ of the idea began when I was watching a documentary, and after much research, I wrote my first draft in my third semester at the Vermont College of Fine Arts. Fifteen drafts later, it was accepted for publication, which is scheduled for Fall 2022.
Although our world is horribly out of sorts right now, I’d like to share some happy news. On Friday, I signed an agent contract with Ginger Knowlton of Curtis Brown! I’m super excited to begin this next stage of my writing journey with such a talented agent. Thank you, Ginger!
I’d also like to acknowledge that I didn’t get here on my own. My critique groups and partners have always been both tough and kind with their feedback. My east-end café writers helped to create a comfortable place to write when I didn’t have one. The students and faculty at the Vermont College of Fine Arts were instrumental in supporting and encouraging me, particularly my Writers Without Borders, my Goodnight Noises, as well as my faculty advisors:
Liz Garton Scanlon, who guided me into the world of writing picture books with a rigorous attention to language and a steady, nurturing hand.
A.M. Jenkins, who helped me move beyond planning-type thinking to tap into my characters’ deepest, rawest, primal feelings.
William Alexander, who encouraged me to balance intense focus with play, fun, and whimsy. Will, I vow to “trust my wyrd”!
Alan Cumyn, who taught me how to plumb the depths with each successive rewrite.
