Rec
Unfortunately there's no solution that works for everyone all the time. (If there was, I'd be published by now🙈.) BUT here are some things that I sometimes do to try and conquer the block:
•Let it sizzle: This is my least favorite suggestion, so I'm getting it out of the way first. Sometimes that project/idea/etc. needs time to marinate before you can keep going. This is especially a good idea if you've been working at it relentlessly, and possibly grown fatigue. If it loses its novelty and stops impressing you, you're gonna be less inclined to WANT to keep going. Leave that doc alone for a week or two, and return when your mind is fresh. Sometimes you'll get lucky and find inspiration/have a shower thought that prompts you to go back.
•Put canon aside for a sec: Start with a writing prompt. This can be a one word prompt, or an absolutely ridiculous scenario to put your character in. Allow yourself to write a non-canonical or semi-canonical snippet/oneshot around this prompt. This is something I usually do begrudgingly, but it HAS helped me get in my characters' heads, further establish their voices and mannerisms, and learn a lot about how my worlds operate outside of The Plot.
•Delete the section that's stumping you and rewrite it from memory: This is a weird one, but it's helped me before. If you're stuck and can't move forward from a particular spot, it might help to (momentarily) cut the text out. Attempt to rewrite it from memory, and see where it takes you. It may land you in the same dead end, but every so often you'll end up with something better than before.
•Write out of order (write what you want): I always do this anyway, but mad respect to anyone who's structured enough to NOT jump around all the time. But uh... this is sometimes what you NEED to do, I think. I've started writing where I can, and putting placeholders like <THIS HAPPENS> <TIME PASSES> <IDK WHAT'S NEXT> where I can't. Sometimes, by skipping around and writing that one special scene, I simultaneously create the context needed to fill in some of those gaps.
•Change up your text, visually: I think this is a tip I saw on Tumblr of all places. Taking what you've written and changing the font is something that will quite literally alter the way you look at the text in front of you. Nothing may come of it, but it may psychologically trick you into reading it from a different perspective. Try a more whimsical font, or one that matches the tone and theme of the work. Make it bigger. Smaller. Change the color. Change the background color. You never know what might help🤷♀️
•Make a playlist: This actually hurts me more than it helps, because I'll focus on doing stuff like this OVER writing my thing. But it can be fun to make a playlist of songs that remind me of my story. Whether that's songs to embody my characters and their personalities, songs that I think they'd listen to, songs that fit the mood and ambiance of my story, songs that remind me of certain scenes or locations, songs that would play in a theoretical soundtrack/AMV, etc.!!! Once you've compiled 'em, listening through could conjure up ideas to get you back in the game. Doesn't hurt to give it a go!
•Watch or read something in the same genre: I'm not encouraging plagiarism or anything, but am saying that reading "Frankenstein" and watching "Nosferatu" really put me in the mood and mindset to forge on with my gothic horror novel. My mind was RACING with macabre inspiration. I think this sort of ties in with the playlist suggestion for that reason.
•Devote a notebook or bullet journal to this project: Use it for EVERYTHING except writing the actual work. Give yourself ten minutes to write as complete of an outline as you can. Make a list of everything that's stumping you. Be CANDID: admit when you're having a hard time growing fond of a certain character, or fitting in a certain scene, or overcoming a plothole. Make a list of all the things you need to research. Brainstorm dialogue. Paste in pictures from magazines that remind you of your world and characters. Go crazy!
Ultimately it's hard to know what will and won't work to get you out of your slump. Sometimes it feels like you'll never make it through. Every writer is different, and what works like a charm for one person can actively harm another's creative process. But keep trudging on, and look for inspiration everywhere. I believe in you, and wish you luck on your journey!
•Let it sizzle: This is my least favorite suggestion, so I'm getting it out of the way first. Sometimes that project/idea/etc. needs time to marinate before you can keep going. This is especially a good idea if you've been working at it relentlessly, and possibly grown fatigue. If it loses its novelty and stops impressing you, you're gonna be less inclined to WANT to keep going. Leave that doc alone for a week or two, and return when your mind is fresh. Sometimes you'll get lucky and find inspiration/have a shower thought that prompts you to go back.
•Put canon aside for a sec: Start with a writing prompt. This can be a one word prompt, or an absolutely ridiculous scenario to put your character in. Allow yourself to write a non-canonical or semi-canonical snippet/oneshot around this prompt. This is something I usually do begrudgingly, but it HAS helped me get in my characters' heads, further establish their voices and mannerisms, and learn a lot about how my worlds operate outside of The Plot.
•Delete the section that's stumping you and rewrite it from memory: This is a weird one, but it's helped me before. If you're stuck and can't move forward from a particular spot, it might help to (momentarily) cut the text out. Attempt to rewrite it from memory, and see where it takes you. It may land you in the same dead end, but every so often you'll end up with something better than before.
•Write out of order (write what you want): I always do this anyway, but mad respect to anyone who's structured enough to NOT jump around all the time. But uh... this is sometimes what you NEED to do, I think. I've started writing where I can, and putting placeholders like <THIS HAPPENS> <TIME PASSES> <IDK WHAT'S NEXT> where I can't. Sometimes, by skipping around and writing that one special scene, I simultaneously create the context needed to fill in some of those gaps.
•Change up your text, visually: I think this is a tip I saw on Tumblr of all places. Taking what you've written and changing the font is something that will quite literally alter the way you look at the text in front of you. Nothing may come of it, but it may psychologically trick you into reading it from a different perspective. Try a more whimsical font, or one that matches the tone and theme of the work. Make it bigger. Smaller. Change the color. Change the background color. You never know what might help🤷♀️
•Make a playlist: This actually hurts me more than it helps, because I'll focus on doing stuff like this OVER writing my thing. But it can be fun to make a playlist of songs that remind me of my story. Whether that's songs to embody my characters and their personalities, songs that I think they'd listen to, songs that fit the mood and ambiance of my story, songs that remind me of certain scenes or locations, songs that would play in a theoretical soundtrack/AMV, etc.!!! Once you've compiled 'em, listening through could conjure up ideas to get you back in the game. Doesn't hurt to give it a go!
•Watch or read something in the same genre: I'm not encouraging plagiarism or anything, but am saying that reading "Frankenstein" and watching "Nosferatu" really put me in the mood and mindset to forge on with my gothic horror novel. My mind was RACING with macabre inspiration. I think this sort of ties in with the playlist suggestion for that reason.
•Devote a notebook or bullet journal to this project: Use it for EVERYTHING except writing the actual work. Give yourself ten minutes to write as complete of an outline as you can. Make a list of everything that's stumping you. Be CANDID: admit when you're having a hard time growing fond of a certain character, or fitting in a certain scene, or overcoming a plothole. Make a list of all the things you need to research. Brainstorm dialogue. Paste in pictures from magazines that remind you of your world and characters. Go crazy!
Ultimately it's hard to know what will and won't work to get you out of your slump. Sometimes it feels like you'll never make it through. Every writer is different, and what works like a charm for one person can actively harm another's creative process. But keep trudging on, and look for inspiration everywhere. I believe in you, and wish you luck on your journey!
Related Recs
Rec
✍️This!!! Lately I've been in a slump, I've found that setting a 30 minute timer where I put phone on do not disturb, only have my document up on the screen, and write — not editing it as I go just write for 30 minutes straight — has helped. By the end of those 30 minutes I'm usually in a flow and try again for another 30 and so on.
I also like collecting quotes or photos (I use Pinterest) that connect to my story. It's a way of grounding me back into the world and a source of inspiration.
I used to commute 1 hour back and forth to work everyday and that time in the car by myself is when a lot of the building for my novel took place. So now whenever I'm in the car, it's reflexive almost for me to work out plot lines, dialogue, etc.
I also like collecting quotes or photos (I use Pinterest) that connect to my story. It's a way of grounding me back into the world and a source of inspiration.
I used to commute 1 hour back and forth to work everyday and that time in the car by myself is when a lot of the building for my novel took place. So now whenever I'm in the car, it's reflexive almost for me to work out plot lines, dialogue, etc.
Dec 28, 2024
Rec
✍️I can make my home office space as comfy, cool, great as possible, but I just physically can NOT get myself to start on my creative work at home. I write, so depending on your craft, this can be different, of course.
I like to go to a park/green space with a notebook for idea generation, then a cafe to lock in and get a draft done. If I'm stuck on something, I go for a walk with a thematic playlist to see if I can work it out in my mind before going back to the page.
All of this to say - I need to be out of my living space. I have notes on notes on notes of ideas, excerpts, etc. but as much as I think about getting started, I find ten things I have to do at home (and sometimes, I just sink into a video game).
My advice is less about overcoming something, and more just getting outside of your space and going somewhere else with the express intent on Getting Started. Everyone works differently, so find the flow that works for you, but going to a new place with this intent gets the brain working (I think, anyway)
All of this to say - I need to be out of my living space. I have notes on notes on notes of ideas, excerpts, etc. but as much as I think about getting started, I find ten things I have to do at home (and sometimes, I just sink into a video game).
My advice is less about overcoming something, and more just getting outside of your space and going somewhere else with the express intent on Getting Started. Everyone works differently, so find the flow that works for you, but going to a new place with this intent gets the brain working (I think, anyway)
Jun 29, 2025
Rec
✏️at least for me, writer's block occurs when i feel like i've exhausted thoughts, ideas, motifs, etc. that used to fuel creative output previously – but changing your perspective (either by changing your influences, or your environment, etc.) will put more gas in your tank to write new, exciting things, and to experiment with how you write about those things
in the artist's way, julia cameron mentions how a core tenant of the program is "artist dates" where you go out on a solo excursion to give yourself more creative "input" like novel life experiences, new perspectives on familiar experiences, etc. that can then funnel into creative output
i think a similar effort is just reading more; for example, i like sci-fi as a consumer, but when i was reading parable of the sower by octavia butler for a book club, i was so inspired by it that previous projects in that genre i had parked because they felt uninspired became exciting to work on again. new sci-fi projects came to me and gave me some runway to outline / draft them. same for fantasy, non-fiction, etc
the more you're inspired (either by your experiences or your influences) the easier it will be to write more, because exploration will often take less effort than refinement. both are essential parts of the process, but if you're exclusively refining based on a body of work limited in scope, it's going to take more time / be more agonizing / feel less worth it; if you can expand that scope, there'll always be something to say on the page
in the artist's way, julia cameron mentions how a core tenant of the program is "artist dates" where you go out on a solo excursion to give yourself more creative "input" like novel life experiences, new perspectives on familiar experiences, etc. that can then funnel into creative output
i think a similar effort is just reading more; for example, i like sci-fi as a consumer, but when i was reading parable of the sower by octavia butler for a book club, i was so inspired by it that previous projects in that genre i had parked because they felt uninspired became exciting to work on again. new sci-fi projects came to me and gave me some runway to outline / draft them. same for fantasy, non-fiction, etc
the more you're inspired (either by your experiences or your influences) the easier it will be to write more, because exploration will often take less effort than refinement. both are essential parts of the process, but if you're exclusively refining based on a body of work limited in scope, it's going to take more time / be more agonizing / feel less worth it; if you can expand that scope, there'll always be something to say on the page
Feb 10, 2025
Top Recs from @amanda_townsend
Rec
I'm so sorry☹️🩷. My friend group of 10 years just split unexpectedly this past week: it's a harrowing and complicated kind of heartbreak and I wouldn't wish it upon anyone.
Here are some movies to help you through some of the feelings you might encounter (apologies if I got any of the years wrong) :
💔💔💔
If you're feeling unhinged or directionless about subtracting this person from your life; if you're feeling ashamed, guilty, neglected, or exiled; if YOU were the one who was friend-dumped; if you're having a hard time giving up the memories and facing your new reality: Here are some on-the-nose recs for films to help you feel vindicated, and give you the strength to embrace self-care and having fun on your own (especially if there's the teeeensiest part of you that wants to prove to them that you CAN have fun and be okay apart from them. Like a platonic revenge bod):
•FRIENDSHIP (2025)
•THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN (2022)
•MURIEL'S WEDDING (1994)
___🧍___
If you kinda saw the breakup coming; if the friend was becoming someone you didn't recognize; if you've been ruminating on the issues and trying to trace back to where it all went wrong; if you're mostly feeling numb:
•I SAW THE TV GLOW (2024)
•FOX AND THE HOUND (1981)
📉📉📉
If your friend ever made you feel shut-out or betrayed; if they were a lowkey a-hole; if you feel strongly that they're the one in the wrong; if you feel like you got the short end of the stick; if you're insecure that they're thriving while you're hurting:
•THE SOCIAL NETWORK (2010)
•THE LAST FIVE YEARS (2014)
🔥🔥🔥
If they were a fake friend; if they were changing you for the worse; if stuff was getting toxic; if you're better off without them and you KNOW it; if you're burning that bridge to BLAZES:
•HEATHERS (1989)
•MEAN GIRLS (2004)
•JENNIFER'S BODY (2009)
🤬🤬🤬
If you're angry; if you're feeling like hurting someone or punching something; if you're hurt and thirsty for revenge:
•SERIAL MOM (1994)
•JOHN WICK + BALLERINA
•KILL BILL (or pretty much any Tarantino)
🙅🙅🙅🙂↔️🙂↔️🙂↔️
If you don't want to think about your friend at all; if you just need a distraction or some background noise for comfort:
•INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS (2009): Watch a bunch of nazis die gruesomely!!!
•THE MUMMY (1999): Classic treasure hunt adventure
•WAITING FOR GUFFMAN (1996): Mockumentary about a small town community theatre production.
•GAME NIGHT (2015): one of the funniest modern comedies out there, imo. •BULLET TRAIN (2022): action comedy with a quirky cast of characters. A really fun time and a go-to comfort film for me. •A MUSICAL MOVIE (if you're into that): For a feelier, cry-it-out experience try "Tick Tick Boom," "Les Mis," or "La La Land." For pure unbridled joy, go for "Mamma Mia!" or "Mary Poppins." •A CONCERT FILM! My personal favorites are MCR's "The Black Parade is Dead" in Mexico City, and of course Talking Heads' "Stop Making Sense" Remember, there's no correct way to be feeling, and no one-size-fits-all way to grieve (or celebrate!) Take your time to process this in a way that suits you, and allow yourself extra attention and special care as you navigate your feelings. Wishing you the very best🩷
•GAME NIGHT (2015): one of the funniest modern comedies out there, imo. •BULLET TRAIN (2022): action comedy with a quirky cast of characters. A really fun time and a go-to comfort film for me. •A MUSICAL MOVIE (if you're into that): For a feelier, cry-it-out experience try "Tick Tick Boom," "Les Mis," or "La La Land." For pure unbridled joy, go for "Mamma Mia!" or "Mary Poppins." •A CONCERT FILM! My personal favorites are MCR's "The Black Parade is Dead" in Mexico City, and of course Talking Heads' "Stop Making Sense" Remember, there's no correct way to be feeling, and no one-size-fits-all way to grieve (or celebrate!) Take your time to process this in a way that suits you, and allow yourself extra attention and special care as you navigate your feelings. Wishing you the very best🩷
4d ago
Jul 9, 2025
Jul 10, 2025