10 Productive Things To Do When Writer’s Block Hits

A list of 10 productive things you can do if you’re stuck or experiencing writer’s block… that aren’t staring at a blank page.

You’re probably here because you feel stuck with your manuscript and want to hear that one thing that will make you feel better. Unfortunately, I don’t have the magic words. But what I do have is a list of actionable things you can do to help you get unstuck or stay productive in your writing while you wade through this. 

I believe that writer’s block comes from our need for our craft to be good, well-received, and validated by others. No writer is above perfectionism, no matter how many years you’ve been writing. So before I delve into this list, I want to take a quick moment to say a few words about perfectionism. 

If you’re here that likely means you’re working on a first draft. Guess what? First drafts are not meant to be perfect. They’re meant to be edited later. At this point in your manuscript, you just need to figure out your story, to develop your character’s voice and journey, to find your story arc. Your job at this point is to get your creative juices flowing and to get words on the page. Every suggestion below aims to get you to switch your perspective and try something new—even a little wacky—in a way that helps your writing in the long term. I want you to bear with me and approach the following list with these two things in mind: inspiration can come from anywhere, and terrible words can be edited later. For now, I’m asking you to put your perfectionism aside and give yourself the permission to be editable and to write what I like to call “the blooper reel.”

1: Journal

Journalling is a fantastic tool for writers. Of course, you can journal in the way we usually talk about journaling: by writing down your thoughts feelings, and insecurities in a private notebook or app. Maybe writing about your deep-rooted desire for perfectionism will help you leave it behind for the day’s writing session. But you’ve probably already thought of this. This is not what you’re here for. What I’m recommending instead is to have a process journal where you can be… whacky. Try journaling about the day from your characters’ POV. Write an entry where a character is writing a letter to another character. Maybe they are confessing a secret, a past, how they felt about something that happens in their backstory, or maybe they’re finally addressing their anger at that one thing another character did. Whatever it is you write, use it as an exercise in inhabiting the novel’s world from a character (or several character’s) POV. And do it freely! This is, as I mentioned, your blooper reel. This stuff likely won’t make it into your book, but it is still a productive way to get to know your story better. 

2: Work on your pitch. 

What would the back cover of your book say? Try writing that instead. Writing a pitch acts as an intention or an outline, of sorts. It forces you think about what your character wants, what’s standing in their way, and what is at stake. It also forces you to focus on what your premise is promising the reader, and whether you’re doing that well. Not only will you evaluate (or reevaluate) what the intention and promise of the premise are, but you’ll also have a draft of your pitch ready for when you need to send it to an agent or editor (or for when you need to answer the dreaded “what’s your book about?” question at family dinner). Two birds, one stone. 

3: Work on your synopsis.

Another two birds, one stone situation. Like working on your pitch, working on your synopsis can help you see where the story is headed, what the building blocks are forming, and where gaps need to be filled. You’ll also need to have a synopsis later anyways! Future you will thank you for this productive use of your time. 

4: Engage with art in a different way.

I believe that all art is in conversation with other art and all artists are in conversation with one another. So engage with other art! Tap into that conversation. Read a book or watch a movie. Bonus points if those books/ movies are in your genre and can act as comps. Sometimes comps are a useful tool that can help you gain insight on where your story needs to go. This is especially true if you’re writing a genre book or have specific tropes you’re using.

You can also go to an art gallery, listen to music, or engage with mixed media to gain inspiration. I like walking into galleries and reading the descriptions of artwork and artist interviews. They’re not only fascinating, but they also inspire me to look at my own art in different ways. Podcasts are also a great way to do that. Search for interviews with the authors you love. I can’t tell you how many Aha! moments I’ve had listening to On Being with Krista Tippet. Or better yet, listen to a podcast one of your characters would listen to. 

5: Set the mood. 

Set the mood for your writing session. Go to your local stationary store and get that nice fountain pen and scented candles inspired by famous writers. Just kidding! That’s not actually going to help you (unless you’re going there to buy that process journal from tip #1.) But you know what might? A mood board! Consider making a playlist based on a scene or character or build a Pinterest board based on your book. You can also collage a poster! Whatever it is you do, find a way to immerse yourself in your book. 

6: Write the scene you’re actually excited about writing.

Okay, just because you have a writing plan doesn’t mean you can’t be a free person. Write the scene you’re actually thinking about, the one that’s on your mind that you feel is almost fully developed, or the one you’re itching to get out. Yes, even if it's not it’s turn. It’s still a productive use of your time. At the very least, you’ll have a draft of that scene to use later. 

7: Try approaching the scene you’re stuck on from a different angle

Again, think of this as creating a blooper reel. Try approaching the scene from a different POV or in a different setting. If your character is more active during the scene, try having them be more passive, or vice versa. 

8: Phone a friend. 

Talk therapy! Talk out what you’re stuck on with a writing pal, your partner, or a friend. Sometimes you need to talk it out. Whether you need your friend to give you a pep talk or you need them to question you on your story structure, or you just need them to listen to you without saying anything, your friends will be there for you. Writing is very solitary, but in moments when your brain is not cooperating with you, ask to borrow a friend’s. Remember that we get most of our inspiration and ideas by interacting with the world! 

9: Research 

Research the random things you’ve been putting off. Remember that one scene you said you’d come back to later because you needed to check if the salmon season was actually in the fall but you were in the writing groove? This would be a good time for you to do that. 

10: Go touch grass. 

Yes, your grandma and therapist are right. Go out on a walk and touch your feet to the earth. It does help. It does ground you. Whether it’s because of the change of scenery or the meditative aspect of going out into nature, going on a walk always helps. And even if it doesn’t jog some inspiration or help you get unstuck, you’ll get those steps in. Your body will very much thank you for that after being hunched at your desk for hours.