Getting Unstuck: Breaking Through Writer’s Block and Rekindling Creativity

Overcoming creative resistance isn’t about waiting for inspiration—it’s about inviting it in.

Not too long ago, we posted an article on the Next Chapters blog about tackling writer’s block—how to push past the resistance that keeps so many stories locked in our heads instead of making it onto the page. If you’ve ever stared at a blank document, willing the words to come, only to feel stuck, then you know exactly what I mean.

Writer’s block isn’t just about struggling to find the right words. It’s often tangled up with self-doubt, perfectionism, and the ever-present worry that the story in our head won’t live up to what we put on paper. But the good news is that it’s not a dead end. It’s a problem with solutions, and the trick is to find the one that works for you.

Shifting the Mindset

One of the most important takeaways from my original article was this: Writer’s block isn’t a lack of ideas. It’s usually fear in disguise. Fear of writing something bad. Fear of not finishing. Fear that the story won’t matter. The moment we recognize that, we take back control.

The best way to move forward isn’t to wait for inspiration to strike but to act in a way that invites inspiration in. That could mean shifting the way we think about writing. Instead of aiming for perfection, aim for momentum. Instead of dreading the next scene, get curious about it.

Writing Your Way Out

If you’re feeling stuck, sometimes the best thing to do is to lower the bar. Instead of setting yourself up to write the perfect next scene, give yourself permission to write something terrible. Set a timer for five or ten minutes and force yourself to type anything—even if it’s nonsense. Even if it’s just the same sentence over and over. The act of movement shakes something loose.

Another trick? Change your medium. If the words aren’t flowing on the screen, grab a notebook and try handwriting a scene. If your characters feel lifeless, spend ten minutes writing a letter from one of them to another. Play with your process until something clicks.

Creativity Feeds Creativity

One of the most surprising solutions to writer’s block isn’t to write more—it’s to step away from writing entirely and recharge creatively. Read a book that excites you. Go for a walk without distraction. Listen to music that makes you feel something. Creativity isn’t a well that runs dry; it’s a cycle that needs to keep moving.

In my original post, I wrote about how creative stagnation can sometimes mean we’re trying to force the wrong ideas. When that happens, it helps to take a step back and ask: Am I telling this story the right way? Is this the story I want to tell right now? Sometimes the real block isn’t a lack of words—it’s a lack of enthusiasm.

Keep Going

There’s no one-size-fits-all cure for writer’s block, but there is one truth that always holds: The only way out is through. Whether you brute-force your way past the block or trick your brain into movement with a different creative exercise, the goal is always the same—keep writing, keep experimenting, and don’t let the fear win.

If you’re interested in the original post we wrote for Next Chapters, you can find it here. And if you’ve ever battled with writer’s block yourself, I’d love to hear how you pushed through. What worked for you? What didn’t? Drop a comment—I’m always up for a conversation about breaking through creative roadblocks.