How To Get Over Writer's Block

At a loss for words and want to talk about it? Grab a pen!

- Keshini Dunusinghe

As a writer, I’ve had my fair share of staring at a blinking cursor for hours, deleting and re-writing paragraphs countless of times, trying to perfect a simple train of thought. Between you and me, this is at least the eighth time I’ve written this introduction. Provided this para won’t be replaced with yet another set of sentences, trust me when I say, I know what it feels like to have a creative slowdown.

If you’re in the creative industry or use words on the reg, you probably rely a lot on thoughts and your ability to convert these ideas into words. The moment words fail you and your mind stops communicating, you’re left with a blank document and a deadline staring in your face: a writer’s biggest nightmare.

So, if you’re feeling stuck right now, don’t worry, you aren’t the only one. Here is a list of remedies you can experiment with in overcoming a writer’s block. Take it from the pros.

Think about what you really want to say

“I start thinking about what I want to tell the reader and the words just start flowing from there.” —Sumaiya Shuaibdeen, Junior Editor, Cosmopolitan Sri Lanka

Everyone has a story to tell. Whether it’s something that has actually happened to you or it’s something created in your mind, we’re always looking for someone to listen and relate to. Dig deep and find one of those stories and put it into words. When it’s genuine and coming from your heart, it flows naturally.

Mind maps are never a bad idea

“Whenever I can’t seem to push through, I turn to my notebook and create a mind map. Suddenly the genie and the mad scientist wake each other up and create magic.” —Ashan Jayatilaka, Author of Tishan’s Conquest: Knights of Olympus, Winner of State Literary Award 2015