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Writer’s block is when you want to write but can’t seem to get the words out. Writer’s block happens to everyone—it’s a normal part of the writing process. Whether you’re struggling to start, feeling stuck in the middle, or overwhelmed by perfectionism, writer’s block can make writing feel impossible.

Common Causes and Signs of Writer’s Block

Understanding the common causes and signs of writer’s block can help you move past it. Causes are the underlying reasons that can make writing difficult. Signs are the ways writer’s block can show up in your thoughts and behavior. Recognizing these factors is the first step toward overcoming writer’s block and getting your ideas flowing again.

 

Causes

  • Anxiety or Fear: You may feel overwhelmed or stressed about writing.
  • Perfectionism: You might find yourself obsessing over every word and unable to move forward.
  • Procrastination: You might be making excuses and finding other things to do to avoid writing.
  • Self-Doubt: You may feel like your ideas or writing skills aren’t good enough.

Signs

  • Lack of Focus: You may have difficulty concentrating or staying on task while writing.
  • Frustration: You might feel frustrated if your ideas aren’t coming together as planned.
  • Physical Restlessness: You might find yourself fidgeting or getting up frequently to avoid writing.
  • Loss of Motivation: You might not have any interest or energy to engage with your writing assignment.
  • Disorganized Thoughts: You may feel scattered and unsure about what to say, especially when the task seems too big or complicated.

Self-Reflection

 

Which causes and signs of writer’s block have you experienced before?

Tips for Overcoming Writer’s Block

Writing is a messy and creative process that takes practice and patience. If you’re feeling stuck, don’t worry—writer’s block is a common challenge for writers of all levels. The good news is that there are many strategies to help you get your ideas flowing again.

Plan Before You Write

A blank page often means you don’t have a plan yet, not that you can’t find the right words. Before you start writing, gather your research and ideas, and create a clear thesis and outline. Spending just 20 minutes prewriting will give you direction and focus. If you feel stuck with your research, it may help to practice critical reading strategies.

Learn More About Prewriting Practice Critical Reading Strategies

Find a Suitable Environment

Your home might be too cozy, making you want to relax instead of write, or the coffee shop might be too noisy to concentrate. A change of scenery could help you break through writer’s block and spark new ideas. Find an environment that suits your writing style, and consider writing during the time of day when you're most productive—whether that's morning, afternoon, or late at night.

Just Begin

No APA rule says you must begin writing at the introduction. If you have some great information for the body of your paper, start writing there. If you can visualize how the paper should end, begin with the conclusion. You can always go back and change, delete, or revise what you’ve written. At the very least, you can keep the process moving.

Turn Off Your Internal Editor

If you find yourself reading and rereading your draft, stop, take a breath, and move on. Try not to edit yourself while you write and avoid becoming caught up in the way your paper sounds or how many grammatical errors you may be making. Keep your eye on the bigger picture (the paper as a whole). You can always address issues of precision during the revision process!

Write Nonstop for a Set Period

Find a timer or stopwatch and set it for 1 minute. Then, like a sprinter, type or hand-write nonstop until the time is up. Even if you type the letter A over and over again, you’re still typing something! You’re still defeating the blank page and strengthening your writing muscles. Next, set the timer for 2 minutes, then 5 minutes, and repeat the process, with 1-minute breaks in between. Soon enough, you’ll be surprised by what you see on the page!

Set Realistic Goals

Sometimes the blank pages in front of you can be incredibly intimidating—especially if you know that you’re required to fill 25 of them! Rather than tackling the entire paper in one sitting, set goals for yourself. Setting goals will help you work at a reasonable pace and form the paper in increments and pieces. Set time goals, such as these:

  • I will complete my outline by Friday.
  • I will finalize my thesis statement by 3 p.m. today.
  • I will freewrite for 5 minutes for the next 3 days.
  • I will work on the body paragraphs for 2 hours today.

Hold yourself accountable to your goals by writing them down, setting a reminder on your phone, or sharing them with a friend.

Step Away

Giving yourself a break (whether for 10 minutes, an hour, or a day or two) will help clear your mind and make your words appear fresh on the page. Some ideas need time to develop without conscious thought—not all time spent away from the computer is unproductive time!

Change Perspective

Taking a step back and looking at your work from a different angle can spark new ideas and help you overcome writer’s block. Changing your perspective allows you to see your writing with fresh eyes, leading to stronger arguments and clearer connections. Here are a few strategies to help you shift your thinking and gain valuable insights. 

Tip 1: Bounce Ideas Off Classmates, Friends, or Family Members  

Ask general questions to people who are familiar with your topic. What seems important to them? What background, terms, or other ideas will they need to know in order to understand your message? Do they disagree with your argument or the points you make? If so, why? 

Tip 2: Summarize Your Own Work 

In the margins of your paper (or using comment bubbles), write a one-sentence summary of the purpose of each paragraph. Review your summaries to get a clearer idea of your direction, the overall flow of the paper, and how far you still need to go. 

Tip 3: Take Another Look 

Ask yourself a few questions:

  • Is this information necessary?
  • Does it add to my argument?
  • What message am I trying to convey?
  • Are these ideas contributing to that message?
  • What ideas could I be missing?

When in doubt, read more on your topic—it is never a bad idea to go back to your sources and expand your knowledge when you’re trying to work your way out of writer’s block.  

Self-Reflection

 

Which strategies for overcoming writer’s block are you most likely to try in the future?

Key Takeaways

  • Writer’s Block is Common:

Feeling stuck while writing is normal. Recognizing it as part of the process can help you move forward.

  • Try Different Strategies:

Overcome writer’s block with strategies like prewriting, finding the right environment, and setting realistic goals to stay focused and productive. 

  • Keep Going, Even If It’s Not Perfect:

Just start writing, even imperfectly. You can revise later—what matters is keeping the flow going. Each word brings you closer to overcoming the block

 

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