How to Break Through Writer’s Block

If you’re a writer, you’re most likely familiar with writer’s block. If you haven’t experienced writer’s block before, you are Mother Blessed and you can scamper on out of here, you silly, lucky fool! That’s right, this isn’t for you. Go on, git!

Anyway, for the rest of us writer’s block can be a frustrating part of what we do. Maybe you’re starting your next work and the blank page is staring back at you, blinding you with its whiteness (or blackness, I’m partial to dark mode.) Or maybe you’re enjoying the process and then all of the sudden, BAM, you don’t know where to go next in your story. Or maybe you haven’t written in a while and you’re in need of a reminder of how to connect your brain with your words again. I’m going to share with you my best practices for breaking through those walls.

My first piece of advice is probably something you’ve heard before. Just start writing. I don’t care what you write. Journal or recap a recent piece of media that entertained you. Jump into an old story you haven’t worked on in a while, or start a new one. It doesn’t have to be good, it doesn’t have to make sense, it just has to be words on the page. The words you put down will visually push you past the point of the blank page or the point you got stuck on, signalling to your brain that the instance of high pressure or anxiety has passed. You have moved past the hurdle. Eventually, you will start feeling more comfortable with your writing and a similar flow to what you’re used to will return.

“But Erica,” you say, “There’s nothing I want to write about!” or “I can’t think of anything to write!”

Here is where I have some more novel advice for you! (Haha, so punny.) These are my go-to prompts when I am stuck.

Fanfiction. Yes, really.

Writing fanfiction puts your brain in the creative state you need it in to write, without having to worry about creating new characters or worlds. 

Watch an episode of your favorite show or one of your favorite movies. Pause it at a scene that involves the characters deciding which direction the story will go. Write about what happens next if they choose the path that doesn’t follow the show. Another thing I love doing is asking, “What if?” about my favorite media. What if Smaug had a kid that wanted revenge? What if Snow White was a man and the prince was a princess? Write a better final season of Game of Thrones. 

Ask “What can happen?” or “What if?” about your own work.

This is especially helpful when you’re stuck in the middle of a story. When you sit down to write, take ten minutes to ask yourself, “What can happen?” What decisions could characters make, or actions they can take? What if this character found another character attractive? What if a dragon attacked the village they’re in?  What if they lost their legendary weapon? Keep a list of these ideas at the top of the page, cross out anything you don’t like when you’re done, and work toward making some of those things happen. This is often how I start writing sessions, even when I don’t have writer’s block. It gets me excited about what I’m writing toward.

Ask “What if?” about everything.

Some of the best stories can be framed as answers to the question, “What if?” What if vampires sparkled and went to high school? What if a “normal” kid gets invited to wizard school? What if a great wizard lived in a moving castle? What if a hobbit has to save the world?

Obviously, the stories are much more complex than these single questions, but the questions are launching pads. One of the best things about fiction is that we get to ask, “What if?” and make people, places, and tales that are new and interesting, crafted however we’d like to craft them. Take something you’re familiar with and twist it to create something new.

I’m diligently working on book 2, so if you’d like to get all the updates about that you can sign up for my newsletter and follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Threads, or Bluesky as etay_1010. I also share silly memes and fun things I’m doing.

You can also read more of my writing advice on Plotting or Pantsing?, Plot vs. Character, or How I Created the Gods.