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30 de November de 2023
How to Overcome Writer’s Block
At some point in their careers, most writers find themselves facing a case of writer’s block. Is there any greater problem for an author than the inability to come up with fresh ideas for their book while deadlines are breathing down their neck? This is commonly known as a creative slump.
Joël Dicker, one of the most prominent novelists of the last decade, acknowledged in an interview with Europa Press: “Writer’s block is not a problem, because if I have nothing to write, I’m not going to sit there in front of the computer waiting.” The protagonist of his novel ‘The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair’, Marcus Goldman, experienced the dreaded blank page syndrome, bound by a contract with his publisher and struggling to come up with fresh ideas for his next book.
You’ve probably found yourself in a similar situation before when facing an exam, completing a task, crafting a report, sketching a design, or attempting to create a project brief. That mental block is quite common and happens to more people than we may think.
That’s why we’re here to present a series of tips to leave your frustration behind and let creativity flow.
Tips to Overcome Blank Page Anxiety
1. Accept that there will be days in which you won’t be inspired
When it comes to tackling a creative task, it’s important to recognize that you won’t be constantly focused and you won’t come up with great ideas every single day. There will be days in which, no matter how hard you try, nothing will seem to work. Don’t worry, move on to other tasks and ideas will start flowing naturally later on.
2. Avoid being too negative
Sometimes it’s hard to silence that internal voice in our heads that screams that we’re not good enough for certain tasks, that we’re not capable of being creative. Distance yourself from those voices and thoughts, daring to take a step forward is not easy. We’re our own worst enemy and our mission is to prove our worth and develop positive messages.
3. Establish good habits and find sources of inspiration
Being creative involves finding inspiration — but inspiration won’t come looking for you. Many times, you’ll have to go after it. How can you do that? By surrounding yourself with people you consider to be good examples, browsing the internet and finding useful articles, or even reading books that you find interesting. As Rafiki said in The Lion King: “Look beyond what you see,” or in other words, broaden your horizons and don’t always stay on the surface.
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4. Practice, practice and more practice (even if you’re not convinced, good ideas can come out of it)
At first, the outcome of your creativity may not be what you hoped for, but that initial draft may give you some interesting ideas. From there, you’ll need to refine your work to achieve the desired result. Even if you feel you need a second opinion, ask people in your circle. They may offer a more objective perspective than your own.
5. Develop a routine
Repetition is one of the simplest forms of learning. Developing your fluency will help you avoid mental blockages. To do this, it’s very important to create your own habits. For example, try writing, drawing or developing an idea for just five minutes every day. It’s a small habit that will become routine and make your work easier.
6. Establish deadlines and goals
You don’t have to force yourself to come up with a ton of creative ideas right off the bat. Start by brainstorming 2 or 3 ideas and then develop the one that appeals to you the most. As you see it taking shape, you’ll gain the momentum to keep creating. It’s important to set realistic goals and achievable deadlines to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
7. Stain the page
You’re facing a blank page, why not make it dirty? Dare to write, draw, doodle, or start somewhere… anywhere! Push your creative limits and don’t leave anything behind. You always have time to start over, so don’t be afraid.
8. Write down whatever comes to mind
Always have a notebook —or the notes app on your phone— at hand so that you can jot down ideas that come to you in the most unexpected moments. Great projects can arise from there.
9. Disconnect
If you can’t solve the creative block, don’t just wait around. One of the best solutions to avoid prolonging the problem is to get away from your usual work space when you’re feeling blocked. A way to disconnect could be to switch to a different task. Remember, we often forget that boredom can be productive.
