Many writers over the years have stated that they have suffered from a condition called “Writer’s Block.” A point where no matter what they do, they are unable to write because ideas refuse to flow or come together in a coherent or productive way. The concept of this has become so prolific that many other writers have been able to write and sell books on how to overcome this issue.

I am not stating that it doesn’t exist, only that in the majority of cases, the underlying cause is more likely related to not having a defined direction to go in. After all, if you went to see your doctor for any reason and he turned round and said: “Sorry, I’m suffering from ‘Doctor’s Block’ and can’t treat you today” you would be complaining about a lack of ethics.

Where does that leave you as a writer? Writers fall into two categories, Pantsers and Plotters. A ‘pantser’ writes by the seat of the pants with little to no planning, hence the name. Whereas a ‘plotter’ outlines in varying degrees of detail, how their story will go. Characters, events and places, the mechanics of the world they live in, etc. and then writes within those guidelines.

Neither of these is the right or wrong way. Each has merits, and whichever best suits your writing style is the one you should adopt. Personally, for flash fiction, I am able to write as a ‘pantser’ but anything beyond that needs some structuring to ensure I stay within the realm of believability and to ensure there are no gaping plot holes in the stories.

So, why is it you can’t write? Is it from fear, lack of focus, the great procrastinator in you? Only you can honestly answer those questions. If you’re in the middle of a story and ideas have dried up, is it because you’re writing on the fly, so to speak? If so, try plotting out what you’ve already written. Identify the pinch points. Does the action / dialogue drive the story or is it a filler? Examine your characters, how they act and interact. Are they flat or interesting, are you describing too much, what is driving your story?

Perhaps there are things that you should re-examine. Has the focus or idea within the story dried up? Has it gone off at a tangent? Are you info dumping or loading too much backstory in one place? Are your characters doing or saying something that drives the story or have you placed too much emphasis on one character like the protagonist and therefore failed to do anything with your antagonist? (To help with this last point, do yourself a favour by investing the time and read what Sacha Black has to say about this subject.)

Planning gives you a framework to work with, much like an architect designing a building. If you know where your boundaries are, you can lay the foundations for your book. Within that, you build your world, like rooms of a house. Then fill in the details of places, people, action and events.

A quick internet search will return hundreds of results for story structure and outlining. If you’re struggling with your current work in progress (WiP), try mapping it to one of the many available online. A better option is to learn how to structure and outline your novel from great authors such as KM Weiland (Helping Writers Become Authors). The books are educational, easy to digest and have an accompanying workbook.

One invaluable resource I recommend is One Stop for Writers. Their collection of thesauri will help develop your writing. Unlike most thesauri that give you synonyms and antonyms of a word, these give you a definition, physical signals and behaviours, internal sensations, mental responses and other key notes. Everything needed to help show and not tell. The last site I highly recommend is that of EA Deverell. A great site for worksheets (many of them free) covering everything you need to develop your story. And, most importantly, get you writing again. I would also suggest checking out the courses on offer.

All of the above will help you find your way again. None of the links are affiliate. I promote because I use them and want other writers to succeed.

All of the above mentioned resources and tips can help you when you are stuck, though it doesn’t explain why you got stuck in the first place. Ideas are ten-a-penny. It is implementing them that is the challenge. What to do?

Staring glazed eyed at the cursor hoping for the flash of inspiration isn’t the answer. It won’t come! You’ll just become more infuriated and despondent. What you need to be doing is writing. Anything! But you’re stuck in that Catch 22 situation.

A good habit is to write every single day, but that isn’t always an option. Do make it a habit to write regularly. It doesn’t have to be the novel or story you’re working on (or stuck on). Choose something to prompt you and jot down 50 or 100 words. Look at things with a different point of view. Whether you’re in a coffee shop, fast food joint or cueing in a supermarket. Watch the people around you, make up the conversation they are having.

Another option is to write from the point of view of an object. The TV in the shop window that everyone looks at but doesn’t buy, be the gum stuck on the bottom of a shoe, a revolving door, a coin changing hands. Then write about the world as it passes you by. You’re not looking for a masterpiece. Don’t edit as you write, just write. The objective here is to get words down. Each time you do this, you set your mind working. You set the creative juices flowing and more ideas will pop into your head.

So stop looking at the blank page. Whether you reach for a pen or a keyboard, take that first step and put the words out there. Who knows where it will lead.