Breaking Through Writer’s Block: Five Unconventional Methods
Ahhh… writer’s block. It’s truly the worst. It’s what keeps good writers from gifting the world with their talents. It’s like a wall between you and your best work, and it’s incredibly frustrating. You know you want to write, but then you sit down in front of your computer and you just can’t focus. Can’t get into the groove. The usual advice is to “just keep writing,” and sure, that’s valid. There’s a reason it’s the most common advice. But if that doesn’t cut it for you, here are five unconventional methods that can unlock that momentum again.
Progress doesn’t come from perfection — it comes from movement.
1. Write in the wrong place
Sometimes the desk itself is the block. There was a time when I was convinced I couldn’t write to my full potential because my “writing area” was my dining room table. The chair was uncomfy, the lighting was harsh (thanks to my giant chandelier), and the second I sat down all of my focus went to my environment. I couldn’t get into the right headspace. Try drafting in an unusual spot — maybe that’s your car, a local coffee shop, a stairwell, or even your front yard. Shifting the environment might just do the trick.
2. The ten-minute throwaway
Set a timer for ten minutes and write your heart out. Write as fast as you can. When the timer is up — throw it away. Yep, delete it or trash it. Make it go away completely. Your brain may get frustrated that it lost some good work and urgently want you to write it again, or it may do the opposite. You might realize your ideas weren’t that strong, but suddenly better ones come to you now that you’re in a groove.
3. Change the medium
If typing feels like grinding gears, switch to handwriting with a pen, sketch out charts, or brainstorm visually. Use your voice memo app and talk everything out. A new medium can shake up your routine just enough to inspire you again. It can knock words loose when a keyboard feels unresponsive. I personally found that talking my book into my notes app helped me overcome a bout of writer’s block just a month ago.
4. Steal a spark
Pick up a book you love, flip to a random page, and copy three sentences by hand. Then, without overthinking, let your own words continue from that rhythm. Try to tie what you’re writing back to those random sentences. Once you’re done, remove the first three sentences and edit. You’re not borrowing their content — just their momentum.
5. Write something ridiculous
Instead of tackling the chapter head-on, write a parody version of it, a sarcastic summary, or a scene where your character complains about you as the author. Humor takes the pressure off and keeps you in the mindset of your story while switching it up for a minute. It allows you to break that fourth wall and make it fun again. Once you’re warmed up, circle back to the real draft.
Writer’s block isn’t the end — it’s an invitation to try a new angle.
Final Thoughts
Writer’s block is inevitable, and it’s such an odd thing. Really, it’s just a signal that you need a new angle. Your brain is bored with what you’ve been doing, so it distracts you to stop you from repeating it. It’s looking for something fun and interesting. If you leave your curiosity open, progress will come again. It may take a week, a month, or even a year (gosh, that would really suck), but one thing is for certain… keep writing!