In The Real Reason You've Got Writer's Block, we diagnosed your symptoms: maladaptive perfectionism, cognitive avoidance, analysis paralysis, and the creative fatigue that gives the writing struggle bus a flat tire.
Now, it’s time for action. Writer’s block is like that toxic ex who keeps sliding into your DMs—you can ignore it, but eventually, you have to shut it down for good.
Here’s how to train your brain, trick yourself into writing, and finally get those words flowing again.
Rewire Your Brain: The Science of Overcoming Writer’s Block
Your brain is a habit-loving machine. If you’ve been stuck for a while, it’s because your brain has gotten too comfortable in “not writing” mode.
The fix? Create new writing habits that feel easy and automatic.
Brain hack: Instead of thinking, “I have to write a whole book,” shift to “I’m just writing for 4 minutes.”
This reduces pressure and tricks your brain into focusing. Studies show that small, achievable goals activate the dopamine reward system—meaning the more tiny wins you get, the easier writing becomes.
Five Proven Techniques to Get Words on the Page
Here are five tried-and-true ways to get past the block and start writing again.
1. The Timer Trick
If writing feels overwhelming, start small. Set a four-minute timer and write—no stopping, no editing.
Why it works: It forces your brain into action before doubt creeps in. It makes writing feel temporary. You’re not committing forever, just four minutes). Nine times out of ten, you’ll keep going once you start.
Bonus Challenge: Set a daily four minute writing session for a week and see what happens.
2. The “Hot Mess First Draft” Method
You know how a sculptor doesn’t start with a perfect statue but instead begins with a big ol' slab of marble? Writing works the same way.
You have to start with something rough and unpolished before you can refine it into that smooth, gorgeous prose.
Let’s walk through an example:
Exhibit A: The Bare-Ass-Bones Prompt
Your outline might say something simple like:
"Enter hero. Walks alpha-maley into room. "
This is great. It gives you direction. But you can’t publish that.
Exhibit B: The Word Vomit
So, you sit down to write the scene, but your brain isn’t cooperating. Instead of freezing up, you let yourself write badly on purpose:
He walked in. He was hot. Very hot. So hot that she immediately forgot how to breathe.
[Insert sexy eye description here. He’s got great hair. Fix this later.]
His jacket probably fit too well. It was unfair. Unethical, even. Did men know the effect they had on women when they strolled into a room like that? Probably.
This is still a mess. But that’s okay—at least now you have something to work with.
Exhibit C: The First Attempt at a Real Description
Later, you come back and flesh it out:
He walked in like he owned the room—not in an arrogant way, but in the way of a man who had never once been told “no.” His eyes were a shade of blue so deep they should have their own tides, and his jacket? Tailored within an inch of its life. She tried (and failed) not to look at his shoulders.
Better, right? But let's get this "editor ready."
Exhibit D: The Version You Hand to Your Editor
After tweaking for rhythm, tone, and word choice, you land on this:
He entered the room with the kind of effortless confidence that came from never hearing the word no. He wore midnight-blue velvet—a deliberate choice to be seen—that set off the sharp angles of his cheekbones and the unfairly vivid blue of his eyes. The jacket was precision-tailored, molding to broad shoulders in a way that was both devastating and entirely unreasonable. A man had no business looking like that.
Now, this is the version that makes it to your editor.
Why it works: Psychologically, your brain thrives on small wins and reduced pressure. When you allow yourself to write badly, you lower the stakes, which helps quiet the executive control network (the part of your brain responsible for critical thinking and self-editing). This gives your default mode network (the creative, daydreaming side) the freedom to generate ideas without interruption.
In other words, writing a “hot mess” draft tricks your brain into focusing on creation rather than perfection, reducing anxiety and boosting productivity. Once you have something—anything—on the page, your brain naturally shifts into problem-solving mode during revision, making it easier to refine and improve.
So, the next time you feel blocked? Give yourself permission to write terribly. That’s how every great book starts.
3. The Scene Swap Strategy
Stuck on a particular scene? Skip it. Write whatever excites you most—even if it’s out of order.
Why it works: Momentum is everything. Writing something is better than staring at a blank page.
You can always connect scenes later.
Example: Can’t figure out how they confess their feelings? Write that scene you’ve been itching to get to—the one playing in your head on repeat, even if you’re “not there yet.”
Let yourself jump around—progress isn’t linear, and your writing doesn’t have to be either.
4. Change Your Writing Atmosphere
If your usual writing spot = frustration, your brain associates it with stress.
Switching your environment serves as a pattern interrupt, breaking the cycle of negative associations and giving your brain a fresh start. Research shows that even small environmental changes can activate new neural pathways, boosting creativity and reducing mental fatigue.
Why it works: Your brain creates context-dependent memories, meaning it associates certain environments with specific tasks and emotions. If your writing space has become linked to stress, perfectionism, or avoidance, simply being in that space can trigger those feelings.
How to do it:
- Write in a different room, at a coffee shop, or the library.
- Try handwriting in a notebook instead of typing to engage different cognitive processes.
- Dictate your story into a voice memo while taking a walk—physical movement can stimulate brain activity and spark new ideas.
Sometimes, all you need is a small pattern interrupt to break through The Block.
5. The “Write to a Friend” Hack
I love this one: struggling with wording? Write like you’re telling a friend what happens next.
Example: “Okay, so in this scene, the heroine walks into a wedding reception. She's wearing a dress with pockets ('nuf said) and there is some disaster to one of her 5-inch heels. To make matters worse, her enemy is standing at the bar looking super good and he's there with a date. Unlike her, she's dateless. Maybe his date looks like her a little? He smells like pine trees and . . . man. There’s banter, tension, and an almost-kiss in the caterer's kitchen. Maybe a Mr. Darcy hand flex. Fix this later.”
Why it works: It removes the pressure of “formal” writing and tricks your brain into storytelling mode instead of overthinking. Later, you can refine it into polished prose. But for now? Just get the idea out.
How to Keep the Momentum Going (And Not Fall Back Into The Block)
Set Realistic Goals
NO: “I’ll write 5,000 words after dinner.”
YES: “I’ll write 200 words before bed.”
Small goals = BIG progress.
Set a Routine
Write at the same time every day, even for 5 minutes.
Pair it with a habit, e.g. “I'll write it over my first cup of coffee.”
Keep a streak going—momentum matters more than word count.
Celebrate Small Wins
Every word you write is a victory. Treat it like one.
Finished a chapter? Treat yo' self.
Wrote 500 words? Treat yo' self.
Finally got past that hard scene? Treat yo' self.
A Final Pep Talk: Your Words Deserve to Be Written
Listen, Linda, you are not a bad writer just because you’re struggling. Writing is hard. But that doesn’t mean you’re not capable of doing it. The goal isn’t to write perfectly—it's to keep going.
So, the next time writer’s block tries to stop you? Try one of these techniques, take a deep breath, and write anyway.
Need More Help? Here’s a Science-Backed Source to Give You a Boost
Check out this Harvard research on creative blocks.
Until next time, stay sassy, keep writing, and know you've got this!