Olivia Carofano, Features Editor
@OCarofano32144
Writer’s block is a frustrating experience that can leave you staring at a blank page for hours. Whether you’re writing a paper for your English class or completing a creative writing assignment for extra credit, everyone encounters creative roadblocks at some point. Fortunately, here are some effective strategies that I use when writing an assignment to beat these roadblocks and generate a great paper.
Step 1: Take a Step Back and Take a Break
Sometimes, the best way to get past writer’s block is to take a break. Go for a walk, get a snack, watch 20 minutes of TV or do some of your other work and then go back to looking at your piece. Giving yourself time to refresh can help ideas flow when you go back to your piece.
Step 2: Change Your Environment
If you’ve been writing in the same place for hours, changing your surroundings can make a big difference. Try writing at a coffee shop, library or a different desk or place in your house. For me, when I go through these roadblocks I go to the library, put on my headphones and just zone in and write my piece.
Step 3: Get All Your Ideas Out On The Page
One of the biggest causes of writer’s block is self criticism. I know that when I’m writing my piece I always think what I put down isn’t good enough and doesn’t represent what I want to say in my piece. Instead of trying to write something perfect, get all your ideas out on the page, you can always cut it down later. Free Writing can help you bypass your inner critic and generate new ideas
Step 4: Write a Different section First
If you’re stuck on a particular part of your writing, skip ahead to a different section. Writing the conclusion or one of your body paragraphs first can help generate ideas while also getting through your paper and being productive.
Step 5: Talk it Out
Sometimes when I’m writing, I can always verbalize my thoughts but never get them out onto the page. For me, when I talk to my mom, dad or friends about the idea of my piece it helps me understand what I want the message to be while also generating ideas. Speaking about your topic out loud can make it easier to translate those ideas into writing.
Final Thoughts:
Writer’s block can be discouraging but it also doesn’t have to fully derail your progress. By trying different techniques like the ones I mentioned and being patient with yourself, you can create a piece that accurately represents your ideas and could be one of your best pieces of writing. Now I’m not saying that you would only have a good piece of writing if you use my steps, try things that work for you whether that be sitting in a quiet space or talking it out, see what makes you generate ideas to create a piece of writing that you are proud of.
