Writer’s block is not a rare phenomenon. Many students struggle with it, lose their motivation to write, come up with excuses, or suddenly get really interested in that speck of dust on the shelf and go into a cleaning frenzy. Procrastination—finding everything more interesting than the actual task at hand—is often a side effect of writer’s block. The reasons for this reluctance to write are as diverse as the symptoms themselves, but luckily there are some tricks to help you get back on track. We’ve put together an overview to help you regain your joy in writing—or prevent it from disappearing in the first place!
What does writer’s block mean?
Writer’s block can happen to anyone, not just authors or journalists. It affects students, business professionals writing emails, bloggers, and more. It’s defined as a psychological phenomenon where you just can’t start or continue writing a text, even if you have the necessary skills. Despite having the ability to write, the flow of ideas just isn’t there, leading to discomfort or even anxiety. The severity of the block is measured by the amount of unproductive time spent staring at a blank screen without writing or planning.
How does writer’s block manifest itself?
Feeling stuck, frustrated, angry at yourself, anxious, powerless, or even experiencing physical symptoms like nausea or headaches—all of these can be signs of writer’s block. Here are some common ways it can manifest:
Misjudging yourself
Writer’s block can present itself even before you start writing. “Fear of the blank page” happens when you struggle to start because you either can’t think of an idea or have too many and can’t organize them. You might end up staring at your empty screen for hours without writing a single word. Some people can mentally plan their text but can’t get it down on paper. This often happens when writers put too much pressure on themselves and doubt their abilities, leading to low self-confidence and excessive self-criticism.
Lack of planning
If you don’t plan and structure your writing project properly, you’re more likely to struggle with the actual writing. This can show in different ways: “Early starters” might start writing without planning, but quickly run out of content and end up feeling stuck, leading to long breaks. They often convince themselves that the best ideas will come as they write, only to feel disappointed when they don’t.
Students without a clear plan often end up procrastinating because they’re not sure where they want their text to go. They may be overly critical of what they’ve already written or even delete entire sections.
Another common scenario is spending too much time on research but not organizing or summarizing it properly, leading to difficulties when it’s time to write. This can cause fear of not expressing yourself clearly or misunderstanding the material.
A feeling of overwhelm can start as early as the topic selection, especially if it clashes with personal experiences or beliefs, or if you have no prior knowledge of it. In the latter case, starting the project feels daunting and gets postponed.
Focus on the audience
If you’re worried about strict reviewers, you might feel too much pressure, even when choosing your topic. You constantly think about your reviewer’s opinion and fear not meeting their high expectations. This can lead to frequent pauses due to writer’s block or constant revisions that make writing feel like a burden. On the flip side, if you feel your reviewer doesn’t care about your work, you might lose motivation and start procrastinating.
Wrong environment
Your workspace matters too. If your study space is also your bedroom, living room, and dining room, or if your desk is messy, it can disrupt your writing flow. You get distracted easily and find everything more interesting than your writing, which makes it hard to start and ends up blocking you.
Lack of communication with your reviewer, limited writing practice, or not knowing how to cite sources properly can also contribute to writer’s block.
Perfectionism
This type of writer’s block happens when you write something but think it’s not good enough, so you delete it. It often comes from comparing yourself to the academic texts you’ve read during your research, feeling like you’re not reaching that level on the first try. Perfectionists set the bar too high for themselves, creating a lot of pressure.
They often think they need to use complex sentences and fancy jargon to sound academic. This slows down their writing process, as they focus too much on form and not enough on content.
Slow writing pace
Another form of writer’s block occurs when you feel you can’t write your text fast enough or at the quality you’re used to. This is common for experienced writers who get stuck when they take longer than usual to complete a text, leading to stress and more breaks.
How can you overcome writer’s block?
There are as many ways to overcome a blockage as there are manifestations. Here are some tips:
Get encouragement from a friend
Start by identifying what’s causing your writer’s block. Are you getting distracted easily and putting off writing? Are you doubting your writing skills? If so, reach out to a friend who knows you well and can give you the right encouragement—without being too loud or critical, as that can have the opposite effect.
Freewriting
Just start writing—about anything, even your daily routine—and don’t stop for at least 5 minutes (don’t leave your keyboard or lift your pen). Don’t correct any mistakes or worry about grammar, just let your thoughts flow. This exercise helps you get into a writing routine and organize your thoughts.
You’ve made your first notes? Great! Now take a break. When you come back, try to focus more on your main topic and start writing with more direction. Remember: don’t take it too seriously. This exercise is all about clearing your mind and getting the words flowing to overcome your block. It helps you get back into the habit of writing and shake off any doubts. This method is especially useful for students with strict supervisors, as it helps you forget about the critical audience and just write.
Brainstorming
Set yourself a time limit of 30 minutes and write down every keyword, idea, or thought related to your topic. Don’t discard any ideas, no matter how silly they seem at first. After the time is up, let the notes sit for a day. Then go back, review them, and pick out the most interesting ideas. This method helps kickstart your thinking and writing process.
Changing perspectives
Switch up your workspace: leave your home desk and head to the library, or vice versa. You can also try using a different writing tool: can’t come up with ideas on your laptop? Try writing by hand. Or are you stuck on a particular chapter? Try working on a different section instead. A change in perspective is a great way to reignite your writing process.
Writing Groups
Are you the type of student who solves problems better in groups? You’re not alone—many find it helpful to get immediate feedback and talk with others who are in the same situation. In a writing group, you can use methods like freewriting or brainstorming together, or work on a topic as a team. Another creative idea is to rewrite existing texts in simpler words or turn them into a different genre (like a poem!). This kind of exercise sparks creativity and helps reignite your passion for writing.
Step-by-step planning
If you start writing too early and end up losing your structure, it might help to plan your chapters and sections in as much detail as possible, ideally in bullet points. Remember: revising your work isn’t a bad thing—it’s an important part of the process. Getting feedback from others can also help you stay objective and cut down on self-criticism.
Creative break
Once you’ve written a chapter, let it sit for at least a day. This gives your brain time to process the information and solidify your ideas. Taking a break from your text can give you fresh insights and new inspiration. Tip: boost this effect by doing something that doesn’t require creativity, like going for a walk.
Set realistic expectations
Setting your expectations too high can quickly kill motivation. To avoid this, make sure your goals match your abilities. If there’s an aspect of your topic that particularly interests you, let that motivate you! It’s also helpful to reduce the difficulty by narrowing down your topic.
It’s important to clearly define your goals. Talk with your supervisor to make sure you’re on the right track, but also take a look at existing papers on your topic for inspiration. At GRIN, you can preview the table of contents for most texts and use them as a guide.
More tips
- Always revise what you have written the following day, so you avoid missing errors due to “tunnel vision.”
- Do not interrupt the writing process in the middle of a complex train of thought—finish it first, then take a break.
- Stay hydrated and take regular breaks.
- Create a writing routine and stick to it: take walks, start with a cup of Earl Grey, listen to your favorite band, or update a friend on your progress. Find what helps you stay focused.
- Work with your natural rhythm: night owls shouldn’t force themselves to get up early, and early birds should avoid starting late in the day.
- Write regularly, even if it’s only one paragraph a day. Writing should become part of your daily routine, so you never even get a chance to develop writer’s block.
The GRIN team wishes you the best of luck with your next term paper or thesis!
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