There’s no reason to say you’re stuck!

I’m always surprised when writers (of all levels) complain about being stuck with writer’s block. How is this possible?

Sure, I get bogged down thinking while I write- how do I best approach this conflict, what should my character say in this situation, etc. but I rarely- if ever- have nothing at all to write. Am I lucky? Lying? Or just plain old full of great ideas all the time?

I’d say it’s more accurate that I try to keep my eyes on the prize and remind myself that the process of writing is kind of like a roller coaster– there are highs and lows and sometimes it goes fast and other times, well, it drags a bit.

A good thing to remember is that with the internet we have a lot of inspiration at our fingertips. Whether it’s pictures, music, or lists of writing prompts, there really is no excuse for not writing.

Today’s inspiration comes in the form of a list of prompts to stimulate those creative juices. Now, get writing!!

365 Creative Writing Prompts

How to Beat Writer’s Block

Please enjoy this blog post by guest blogger Brooke Stoltzfus!

Writer’s block is something everybody suffers through regardless of who you are. It is an “illness” that no one can escape, but there are definitely remedies for this common plague. As a college student, I have learned what to do when I find myself suffering from writer’s block. Here are 5 quick easy steps for beating writer’s block:

1. Dedicate a Certain Amount of Time to write

• Each person may write a different way, but I do not write well when I write a paper over the course of a couple days. I find it most helpful to write my paper in one sitting, depending on how long it is. That is not to say that writing a paper the night before is a smart idea, but getting into a writing mindset and staying there is helpful to me.

2. Find a Space Dedicated to Work

• I often find myself not being productive in my room as opposed to a space such as a library. My mind works better when it knows that it’s in a space it associates with work, such as a classroom or library.

3. Limit the Distractions Around You

• This seems like a simple one, but it is so important! Putting my phone across the room so I can’t see the notifications is helpful because I am not tempted to respond. Keeping my work area neat also helps so that I am not stressed out by the amount of clutter around me.

4. Don’t Listen to Music with Words

• I am one of those people who likes to have background noise, but music with lyrics distract me from what I am writing. My mind wants to sing along to the song instead of putting thoughts down on a page. I often listen to study playlists made by Spotify. The playlists are great background noise, and they eliminate the dead silence in the room.

5. Be Knowledgeable About Your Subject

• Knowing the subject you are writing about is important so that you don’t keep writing down the same thought over and over with different wording. The more knowledge you have access to, the more information you can write about.

Each person is different so these tips may not work for everyone. Writer’s block does plague the best of us, so sometimes gaining insight from outside sources is beneficial.

Happy Writing!

Brooke Stoltzfus