Stephanie Penney
As a journalist, losing your creative spark or motivation and experiencing writers block is pretty common. Sometimes when you sit down to write, the words come easily. Other times, they’re nowhere to be found.
You can’t predict which scenario you’ll find yourself in each time you take pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard. Writers block can occur any time during a project. It may even strike right at the end, when you thought you were almost finished. If you’re experiencing a bout of apathy or you’ve struggled with it in the past, fear not. Here are my top tips for overcoming and ultimately befriending the dreaded writers block and get your creative juices flowing again.
What is writers block?
Writers block is characterised by a lack of motivation or creative exhaustion, primarily associated with writing, although it is not necessarily a result of or a lack of skills or commitment. It is a multifaceted problem that can be caused by uncertainty or self-doubt. With writing, you could write an excellent chapter and then not write again for two months. That doesn’t mean you’ve been unproductive, quite the opposite in fact.
Tackling writers block
The key, and challenge, to overcome writers block is identifying the root of the problem. Why can it be so difficult to get started or finish a particular piece of content? Well, writing can be hard because we set high expectations for ourselves and our work. These expectations can often weigh down not only our fingers when typing, but also our words.
“Don’t worry about reaching perfection the first time around”
If you don’t know what you need to write, it’ll be a struggle to get started. Furthermore, if a writing request is vague, then it’s understandable to feel a bit lost. Nobody likes feeling confused or unsure about what’s needed. I find it helpful to clarify the following when it comes to working on a new article or project:
-
What do you need to write?
-
Why you need to write it? (i.e. its goal and purpose)
-
Who is it for?
-
Where will it be published?
Once I have established the basics, I like to adhere to the following steps to keep the workload manageable:
1. Create an outline or plan
Making time to draft an outline for your article will give you a structure and a plan to work from. The final piece may change from the initial draft, which is fine, but it can still be helpful to jot down what you think you will cover and how it will fit together.
2. Try not to worry about your first draft
Once the first draft is down, no matter how good or bad you consider it to be, the next phase will never be as scary. As you move to the second draft and beyond. Editing replaces writing – don’t worry about reaching perfection the first time around.
3. Give yourself a deadline
If you’re working without a set deadline or without a tangible goal to work towards, it becomes all too easy to put off writing and procrastination can set in. “I’ll do it tomorrow”, “I’ll come back to it next week”, “I have plenty of time” are all thoughts I’ve had when writing. To combat this, if a specific deadline isn’t set by a client or the publication I am writing for, I’ll set my own.
4. Take time out and have a break
It seems contradictory to suggest stopping work in order to be productive, but sometimes this is the best approach. Acknowledging that taking a break is okay and taking time to reset before returning to your work can be vital to the writing process in order to avoid burnout.
Furthermore, breaking a task down into a series of stages makes it seem less daunting. I consciously leave time between tasks too, so I can complete other work, have a break, or pop the kettle on. Never underestimate the value of fresh eyes. The same logic applies when you’re doing a jigsaw and can’t find a specific piece. Leave it for a bit, come back, and then it feels like that piece is staring right back at you.
Impostor Syndrome
Let’s assume that you have a clear brief of what you need to write, and that you’re feeling your best self, yet when it comes to writing, there’s a niggling little fear: the dreaded impostor syndrome.
“I would put excessive pressure on myself to produce ‘perfect’ content, which often led to feelings of inadequacy.”
Research has shown that self-doubt plays a huge role in writers block, and letting impostor syndrome prevail can send us on a downward spiral that does not lead to productivity. I think it’s important to note here that impostor syndrome is an experience beyond writer’s block. Both can be rooted in a desire for perfectionism, acceptance, and success. However, by reframing our thinking, we can approach writing with confidence and share our stories with the world.
Many different methods are recommended for overcoming impostor syndrome. Personally, I find setting realistic goals to be key. For many years I would put excessive pressure on myself to produce ‘perfect’ content, which often led to feelings of inadequacy. However, setting small, tangible goals that I could achieve allowed my confidence to soar. This could mean setting a goal to write for just thirty minutes a day or completing a certain number of words per week.
Mindset
Changing your mindset can be the first step towards reviving your motivation and productivity.
How often have you thought the following things?
-
“I don’t know what I’m doing.”
-
“There are so many better/more qualified writers than me.”
-
“Whatever I write will never be good enough.”
Rather than reminding yourself of these?
-
“I’m a good writer and I can do this.”
-
“I was given this piece of work because they believe in me and my ability.”
-
“I’m an expert on this topic and can write an excellent piece of content.”
Another tool I have found particularly useful is seeking out a writing community or support system. Joining a writing group both in person and online has given me so much valuable feedback, encouragement, accountability, and a new found sense of belonging.
“Looking after your well-being is crucial”
Finally, practicing self-care and mindfulness can help to combat the negative effects of impostor syndrome. This could be taking regular breaks to stretch or meditate, lighting your favourite candle, walking your dog, or simply making time for a hobby you enjoy outside of your of writing bubble. Looking after your well-being is crucial, and it will boost confidence, reduce anxiety, and promote a more positive mindset.
Ultimately, the best advice I can give for overcoming writers block is to strive for progress, not perfection.
READ NEXT:
- CONQUERING PROCRASTINATION: HOW TO GET THINGS DONE
- STUDY SPACE RECOMMENDATIONS
- DISABILITY-INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE IN JOURNALISM
Featured image courtesy of energepic.com via Pexels. No changes or alterations have been made to this image. Image license found here.
Stephanie
Trainee journalist, freelance writer and social policy graduate, based in beautiful North Wales.