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Feeling stuck in your writing? You’re not alone! Every writer faces moments where the words just won’t flow. But don’t let it derail your progress. Feeling stuck is a normal part of the creative process. Remember, your best writing often comes after you push through the tough moments. Keep going, you’ve got this!

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Eight Proven Ways to Get Your Writing “Unstuck”

If you are finding yourself stuck lately when you sit down to write, know that you are not alone. And that you’ve come to the right place!

Every writer knows this feeling well. You have been flying through your book, with copy flowing easily and quickly. You can hardly keep up with your inspiration and ideas! Your fingers race across the keys as you work to capture it all. The writing is coming easily and freely -- an author’s dream.

Then, quite suddenly, things change. One quiet morning, you sit down to write, and nothing happens. No ideas flow. No inspiration remains. You feel stuck. You start to panic and begin to re-read some of what you have already written in hopes that it will get you going again, but it does not. Your heart sinks. Your fingers freeze.

You are stuck.

Every writer has been there. Every single one. The panic and anxiety that can easily set in during these moments is real. Getting stuck – and the anxiety and overwhelm that it causes – can totally derail some authors. They may lack the confidence to sit down again to write the next day, or may even give up on their book altogether, worrying that they don’t have what it takes. I suspect many great books sit unwritten because of authors’ struggles to push past their stuck-ness.

The good news?

This is a *normal* part of the writing process, and there are some very effective techniques that can help you push past feeling stuck, lessen your anxiety and overwhelm, and rediscover the free flow of ideas that makes writing fun.

The next time you are stuck, try these eight proven tips to push past the block:

1. Remember that getting stuck, anxious, or overwhelmed is a *normal* part of the process. Keeping this in mind will allow you to give yourself grace, take a breath, and stay calm enough to implement some of the strategies below.

2. Come back to your “why.” Remind yourself of why you are writing this book –why it matters that it is out in the world for people to read. Refocusing on your “why” will give you the motivation you need to keep pushing.

3. Take a short break. I emphasize short, because you don’t want to stay away too long. Just like you were encouraged to get back on your bike quickly when you fell off as a kid, so too must you keep writing – especially when it’s hard. That said, sometimes taking a short break can give you the space you need to reset and regain some confidence.

4. Set some clearly defined writing goals. When you’re stuck or overwhelmed, simply getting started – getting *something* on the page – will help you regain the forward momentum you need to find your rhythm again. On the tough days, set a small but concrete goal for yourself – number of words, pages, etc., -- and make yourself write. Even if it feels clunky. Even if you think you might hate what you write. Just get something on paper.

5. Connect with mentors and other people who believe in you. Never underestimate the power of accountability partners and good friends to give you the push of confidence you need to get going again. They can help remind you of why the world needs your book, and how capable you truly are.

6. Remove distractions. Revisit your writing routine and make sure you’ve removed all distractions. Your door should be closed. Phone off. Whatever rituals you use to help focus you – coffee, candles, whatever – make sure you have it all to support you in your toughest moments.

7. Skip to a section you’re excited to write. Sometimes all you need is to feel the fun in writing again, and this is easily achieved if you skip ahead to a portion of your book you’re super excited about and feel confident writing. Once your juices are flowing again, you can go back to where you got stuck.

8. Seek inspiration. Read other authors you love, listen to podcasts, talk to people who inspire you most. Sometimes all you need is a little spark of inspiration from an outside source to reignite the passion inside you.

Some of these techniques will work better for you than others, and that’s ok. Try them all on for size. See how they feel and how they affect your writing. When you find some that do the trick, consider integrating them into your regular writing routine in order to set you up for future success.

And if you find yourself in need of more support as you move through the writing process, hop over to www.myownghostwriter.com or send us an email at [email protected] to explore the many resources and programs available to help you move forward with confidence. From guided authorship programs to full service ghostwriting, we deeply understand the writing process and can support you every step of the way – especially on the days you are feeling stuck.

Remember, learning how to push past these tough moments is all a part of becoming the author you were meant to be. You can do this. Happy writing!