Writer’s Block

We all get stuck with our writing sometimes, and this can be especially true if you are returning to study or just starting out on a new project. Writing is hard—academic writing is very hard— and it takes a lot of practice to start to feel comfortable with it. When we are intellectually grappling with concepts, or when we are immersed in the labyrinths of data, it is easy to find ourselves stuck when it comes to writing. This section offers a few tips for dealing with writer's block.

 

Strategies for dealing with Writer's Block

1. Freewriting

Freewriting is an excellent technique to use at the start of a new piece of writing, for example, a section of your thesis. It is simple to do and takes very little time.

Simply find a quiet space and get a pen and blank piece of paper, or open a blank word document.  You can set yourself a topic, if you can easily think of one, and try to focus on that. However, you can also just write whatever comes into your head. The idea is to start writing and not stop for 10 minutes. Aim to write in sentences, but don't try to edit or worry about grammar or expression, and if you don't like the way you have said something, start a new sentence, don't try to rephrase one you have already written. If you cannot think of anything to write, write "I cannot think of anything to write." 

Stop after 10 minutes and review what you have done. It is alright if you don't produce any useful ideas or writing, but you may have come up with something small that is useful. Free writing works best if you don't try to think too much about it as you are doing it; it should be a kind of an unconscious freeing of ideas. Like any exercise, if you do this regularly, you should start gradually to loosen up your prose.

 

2. Establish a writing routine.

Most successful writers set aside regular and routine times for writing, every morning for a certain time, for example. Routine encourages habits, and you want to get into the habit of writing. Plan your schedule so that you write something everyday. Try writing after exercise, but before answering emails.

 

3. Treat yourself to a special writer's notebook

We all do most of our writing on screens these days, which can make it a bit tedious. Mix it up. Get yourself a special notebook to record ideas, freewrite, note down daily observations, record interesting comments, etc. There's something special about having a paper notebook that just may get you going!

 

4. Change your environment

Sometimes a change is as good as a holiday! If you are unable to write in the space you are using, move somewhere else. It is always good to have a dedicated space for writing, somewhere quiet, comfortable and without distractions, but if the place you are trying to write doesn't work for you, move it somewhere else. And don't forget to ensure the ergonomics are right for you. If your working place is causing strain (eye strain, back pain, headaches, etc.) it needs to be altered. You cannot write if it is causing you pain.

 

5. Eliminate distractions

Playing with the dog, going to the fridge, checking email and social media, all things that distract you are going to be bad for your writing. Remove yourself from things that you know will distract you: turn off devices; disconnect the internet; get someone to babysit your children. You need to focus.

 

6. Do something physical

Writing is a cognitive process. If you're stuck, try doing something physical instead. Get your blood moving. Go for a walk, a swim or a run. Doing something rhythmic can free up space for thinking and will keep you healthy as well. Stretching your body will help with stretching your mind.

 

7. Brainstorm

Destroy the tyranny of the sentence! Instead of trying to write in sentences, practice a bit of brainstorming using lists or more pictorial methods. Make a bullet point list of ideas and then sort them in some way. Draw a mind map on a whiteboard, design a chart that you could use to represent your data.

 

8. Plan your writing

Set up the next day’s writing task before you log off at night. Having the plan at the beginning of the day, can make it easier to fire up.

 

9. Stimulate all your senses

When we write, we use only sight and touch, and we limit ourselves to mental processes. Try using some other of your senses to help stimulate those cognitive flows. Burn some incense, bring some scented flowers to your writing space, listen to some music (although not the distracting kind - there's no point if you're singing along), taste something delicious (chocolate!). Engage all your senses and see what happens.

 

10. Read something inspiring

Reading literature related to your thesis might help, but it is also good to read material that falls outside your research as well. A favourite novel or poem? Some inspirational quotations? Famous speeches?

 

11. Join a Writers' Group

Writers' Groups not only get you writing, but also provide you with feedback on your writing from supportive peers.

 

12. Try some breathing exercises

An excellent blog post from Katherine Firth about how to use breathing exercises to focus your writing.