How Long Does Writer's Block Last and How to Prevent it

I know I'm not the only one who finds it difficult or impossible to write without some kind of inspiration. Whether it's a conversation with a friend, a movie, or an article you read online, when you are writing something and you get stuck, you have to have something to spark an idea or keep the momentum going. There are many different ideas about what causes writers block and how to deal with it. I wanted to share my opinions on some of the main causes of writers block and my suggestions for how to deal with them.

Writers block is that feeling you get when you're trying to write something, but can't seem to produce anything good. It's not a specific disease or affliction; it's just the writer's way of saying, "I'm not feeling inspired right now, and I can't seem to do anything about it." Because writers are people too, writers block affects all of us from time to time. It's even possible for the greatest of writers to experience it.

We've all experienced writers block — the frustrating inability to come up with a good idea for the paper you're crafting or the article you're writing. It can be easy to blame the problem on a lack of inspiring resources, but there are plenty of other things that can cause writers block, even if you have an unlimited supply of resources at your fingertips.

If you're a Writer, then you probably already know how frustrating it can be when you hit that wall of writers block.

There's nothing more soul-crushing than staring at a blank page and not knowing what to write next.

What is writers block?

Writers block is a general term for any frustration that keeps you from being able to write. The reason it's called writers block is because it's most often associated with the act of writing; however, the same symptoms can apply to any creative project, like painting or sculpting.

When you're trying to write, but nothing seems to be coming out, it's easy to give up and call it a day. But if you let yourself get distracted by other things, it can be hard to get back into the writing groove, which is why it's important to know how to prevent writers block.

What causes writers block?

The first cause of writers block is lack of inspiration . Sometimes you just don't feel like writing. This can be caused by any number of things: stress, apathy, or just having too much work on your plate. I find that in these situations it can help to take some time away from my project and do something else entirely. What really helps me is to take a walk outside, listen to music that inspires me, play a game for fun (I love word games), or watch a movie. Taking up another activity for a short amount of time is helpful because it frees your mind from being tied down by your work so that when you return after a short break you can approach your project with fresh eyes and good frame of mind.

However, there are several causes for writers block.

  • - You don't know what you want to write about.
  • - You don't know how to start your writing.
  • - Your writing isn't turning out well.
  • - You aren't feeling inspired.
  • - You can't find enough information about your topic.

    • Why does it seem like some writers have no problem at all, seemingly typing out novels as fast as their fingers can fly across the keyboard, while others are plagued by something that seems to be an unsolvable mystery?

    Writers block is the bane of even the most prolific of writers. There's no telling when it will strike, but there are many things you can do to prevent it. Here are five tips that might help.

  • -Keep a journal: When you're feeling uninspired, revisit your past work and see what you liked about it.
  • -Talk with others: Getting another perspective can help you see your work in a new light and give you new ideas.
  • -Go outside: A change of scenery can clear your mind and get those creative juices flowing. It can also make you feel more energetic—and if you're tired of writing, a little bit of exercise can boost your mood and get the creative energy flowing again.
  • -Reflect on yourself: Look inward for inspiration. What makes you tick? What motivates you? What inspires you?
  • -Focus on the future: When all else fails, try thinking about what's to come instead of dwelling on what's in the past or what's happening now. If a plot point isn't working out, skip ahead—you might find that once you get to where your story is going, everything falls into place and becomes much easier to write!
  • - If you're writing an article or blog post, break it down into headings and sub-headings. Once you know about the different sub-topics you'll be covering, you'll find it easier to write about each one.

    • How Long Does Writer's Block Last for?

    You might be wondering how long writer's block will last and the honest answer is, nobody truly knows. It can be an hour, many hours, or even days. However, if you apply some of the methods above you could be sat down, successfully typing away in no time at all.

    Our RewriterApp software has a useful 'topic research' feature that allows you to find ideas, information and facts on any topic or subject. It also includes filter options making it very easy to pin-point the exact information you're looking for.

    This feature can help with writers block and will help you to be better prepared for your writing projects. You can see how our topic research feature works here.