I still remember the deep frustration I felt that day.
I sat down to write, with my interview transcript in front me and … I didn’t know where to start.
I had just had the hour-long interview with a delightful Christian influencer. I got plenty of great quotes. I knew the basic story that needed to be told but …
I didn’t know what to write in that moment. There was just no creativity flowing whatsoever.
In an earlier post, I explained the ultimate cure for writer’s block. I stand behind that article 100%.
However, there are times we know what we need to say; we’re just struggling to know how to say it. We lack the creative energy we need to put into words what we know we need to write.
In those cases, try these strategies:
1. Pray for creativity.
This is my go-to strategy for creativity, and I must say, it works really well.
God always knows what I need to write better than I do. (Which is why it’s a good idea to pray over what you write, even if you don’t have writer’s block!)
When you’re struggling to craft the right words for your blog or podcast script, it’s always a good idea to bring it before the Lord and simply ask for help.
Confess your weakness to Him. (He knows how much you need Him anyway!) Be vulnerable with Him.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve stepped aside from my cubicle just to steal away for five minutes alone with Jesus before diving back into a difficult article.
Because prayer works.
2. Do a creativity brain dump.
Write down every idea you might want to include in your article. The ideas don’t have to be in order. They don’t even have to be connected. Just dump them.
Once you have all those pieces out of your head and onto paper (or on your computer), it’s much easier to recognize where all the pieces should go.
After a brain dump, start creating an order and eliminate the pieces you don’t actually need.
3. Do something physical or rote.
Sometimes when your creativity doesn’t want to play along, it helps to do something that lets your brain go into autopilot while your hands do all the work.
For me, that might mean promoting articles on social media or scheduling things on my calendar.
Even better, I try to do something rote AND physical, like washing dishes or doing laundry or organizing files.
4. Make an outline.
Your outline doesn’t have to be detailed or complicated. Just get a rough idea of where you want to go in your article.
If you already did a brain dump and got a rough order for the pieces, this step should be a lot easier.
How do you want to hook your reader?
Write it down.
What are the main points you want to make?
Write it down.
How do you want to close? What action will you call your readers to take?
Again, write it down.
5. Talk to a friend to get your creativity flowing.
Sometimes this works for me and sometimes it doesn’t. It depends on which stage of processing the data I’m in.
In the early stages, my brain just needs time to soak in all the information. Later on, it will suddenly “Ding!” and tell me which order the info needs to go in.
At that point, if I’m still struggling, talking to someone else helps.
But not everyone’s brain is like this.
Some need to talk it out before the information can even make sense.
Is that you? If so, grab a trusted friend and talk them through the idea you’re thinking about.
Ask for feedback and actually listen to what they say. (Don’t let pride hold you back from listening to their advice or answering their questions.)
6. Sleep.
Again, this goes back to the whole “letting your brain subconsciously put the pieces together.”
Several amazing things happen when you sleep.
One study revealed that you can process complex information when you sleep. Even while unconscious, your brain can process and organize detailed data.
Research also shows that when you’re sleeping, you’re actually forming new memories and consolidating old ones. (This is why sleep is so crucial when you’re learning.)
This is helpful because sleeping can bring a connection or a point to mind about your article that you didn’t think of before.
And, what I find most interesting, your brain actually makes creative connections when you’re asleep.
When you’re sleeping, your imagination has pretty much zero inhibitions. (As I’m sure you can tell by your strange dreams!)
But sometimes, those obscure connections can be exactly what you need to boost your writing creativity.
So go ahead and take a nap. Research encourages it!
7. Take a shower.
I’ve heard it said that the ions in the shower actually release creativity.
I have yet to see any scientific study about this (if you know of one, comment with a link to it below!).
But I can personally attest to getting some of my most creative ideas while in the shower.
I’m sure you’ve experienced it too.
This is likely because you’re more relaxed in the shower, which releases dopamine in your brain.
That handy-dandy dopamine allows your brain to meander wherever it wants, often cracking open that creative block.
Hence, why this little doo-dad that lets you take waterproof notes actually sells.
This is obviously one trick that I can’t do at my 9-5 job, but I can certainly practice it at home!
Creativity Bonus Tip
I hope these seven tips help you when you’re facing a serious bout of creativity block.
But before I close, let me offer one more bonus tip:
Write every day.
Often when you’re facing writer’s block, it feels like a short-term problem that requires a short-term solution.
But that’s so far from true.
If you’re like me, your real creative growth is long-term.
Get your brain and your hands into the habit of creating words that work well together every day.
It will soon become easier and easier. And your writer’s block will pop up less and less.
If you’ve tried these writer’s block tips and they worked for you, share this article on your social media.
It may just be what a fellow creative writer needs to read!
Jenny Rose is a freelance copywriter and content marketer specializing in B2B marketing, real estate, and accounting. She's written for clients like AAA, Edward Jones, Flyhomes, Guild Education, and more. Her writing has also appeared in publications like Business Insider and GOBankingRates.
