I've been doing this for a couple years without knowing it was great writing advice. I endorse it fully. I especially try to leave it like this on my last writing day before it's back to work for the week. It'd be difficult to just jump into it again the following Saturday if I didn't leave it at a spot where it's easy to keep going.
The idea of walking away/coming back later with fresh eyes has merit, and it really can work. But it can be something of a detriment. Following Hemingway's advice, what if you forget exactly what you had thought of for what happens next? What if the next morning you have a completely different idea? What if what made sense and felt good yesterday doesn't today? I feel like I run into this constantly.
You're not alone. But if you have that better idea tomorrow, you can pursue it and discard what you previously thought was the next step in the story. And if you've forgotten what that previous step was, it probably wasn't that good, and you've liberated yourself from it.
I work one-on-one with writers who are stuck, and very often what is sticking them is not a lack of ideas (this is why I think the threat of the dreaded ‘writer’s block’ is a little overblown) but on the contrary, an excess of ideas, and a reluctance – or inability – to choose which to focus on. - Sari Botton on Substack
Today I read that Theodore Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, kept a collection of 300 hats. When faced with writer’s block, he would choose a hat to wear until he felt inspired. Do you have a ritual or a superstition related to getting past writer’s block?
I also have a collection of hats -- some nice flat caps, a couple of straw hats, a warm felt pork pie, and a couple of trilbys. But I wear them for the obvious reason, i.e. to keep the sun and cold off my head, not to be inspired by. When I have writer's block, I get up and stare out the window for a few seconds, which usually works. If I'm still stuck, I make a cup of tea and put on the Dross Machine (i.e. television). This isn't for inspiration -- the TV never inspired anybody -- but I just flick through channels until I get bored and turn it off, and then I go back to the window until I feel inspired.
I never really thought about writer's block until recently. I play a Get Fit with Rick exercise routine and see if that unblocks the pipes. If not I move away from the screen and try and do something that is productive such as housework or gardening. At least you have then freed up some time for when you can write. I have discovered the worse thing you can do is stare at the screen
Step away. It might sound counter-contradictory, but sometimes to take a break and allow oneself to focus on something else, then come back with a fresh and clear (clean?) mind can sometimes be beneficial. It's worked for me on a few WIP's.
Never? Anybody? Should I spend an hour on Google curating an extensive list of quotes from amazing writers inspired by what they've watched on television? No, I'll instead suggest replacing "anybody" with "me," and then no one would ever take exception to that statement.
Fair enough. I was simply thinking of what Groucho Marx had to say about television: "I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book." I don't think much has changed since his day. (And Groucho was on TV, so he knew what he was talking about).
As a resident of the Badger State, e.g. Wisconsin USA, I might resent that remark. And I might add that sacrificing a badger would be a nasty bloody operation for both sides. They are ill-tempered well-equipped creatures. I've been stuck with major writer's block for several months now, and have focused mostly on meditation, posting here, and reading, figuring that if I can't do anything, I can at least do nothing well.
What about the kind of block when you're stuck in 2nd-3rd gear? That might be even more frustrating (to me, anyway.) I'm just getting my WIP off the ground and I have done some fairly deep character dev and worldbuilding, got the setting down, and several plot devices and some subplots. But I'm still not locked in on what the main story is about. I feel like I'm 75% of the way there. I have one big idea in mind where it all could work but I have yet to convince myself it's the right way to go. It's like being at a stop sign with a million possible directions to choose from.
drive until the gearbox overheats and releases itself.. ie pick a direction and start writing, nothing good comes from procrastination, it may be that you don't go in the right direction first time but the action of writing may kick better ideas loose
Writers block for me is more about distraction. It is not that I cant write it is that by the time I have booted up the machine, waited for updates, it sometimes crashes. I use the PC for other reasons. For instance I invest and that is very greedy with my time. Excuses, excuses, excuses!!! But there are many more! Anyhow I have built a camper van which is just finished and plan to take the dog for long walks around Cornwall and Devon. Then just eat, sleep, and write for the whole of 2025. Lets see... By the way I am able to write at the moment so not looking for a solution right now. It is just I know me and I need to focus. I appreciate that all of the above excuses will follow me to Cornwall or Scotland or wherever, but it is more about putting writing first. For instance I am going to visit a wild life reserve in the New Forrest which is entirely for writing research. I would concur with others that doing anything creative will help get the juices flowing. Playing an instrument, drawing etc or other arts and crafts. Something that allows your brain to be so focused that you forget all the bull and nonsense. Really important to disconnect your self from the fast lane.
