I recently watched a video clip where the person said, “There is no such thing as writer’s block. When you have no idea as to how to continue, it is time to take a break and do something different.”

This is good news on the one hand, but for someone who feels stuck, it might feel like someone who has never experienced what it’s like to be stuck! But let’s take a look at this from a different perspective to see if we can understand what this person was saying.

Perhaps the idea of “writer’s block” originates from our school days, where we were required to write essays on topics that held no interest for us, all within limited time constraints. This is not the case when we are authoring a book because we write about things that are of interest to us and in genres that appeal to our creative bent. Yet, we sometimes get “stuck” in the process.

If you are an acclaimed author and have a publisher breathing down your neck for the sequel or your next bestseller, then the pressure is somewhat different. There will be timeline expectations for you to finish a manuscript and submit it in part or whole, and a publishing date set as a goal with a release date following that. This pressure can cause one to get stuck in the process.

If you are a writer for a magazine, newspaper, or other related media, the pressure is more likely to be reminiscent of your school days. With editors and possibly layout artists waiting for you to produce the next top article or headline post, submissions are expected to be churned out with a frequency that can become overwhelming, too.

The beauty of self-publishing is that you have no time constraint other than the one you set for yourself, and that, too, is subject to change. Yet, self-publishing authors also feel “stuck” at times.

There are various factors that can cause us to experience the proverbial “writer’s block”, including stress, perfectionism, lack of direction, and fatigue. A shift of focus is what is needed. In other words, you need a brain break, a holiday, a rest, or to find something to do that will inspire fresh ideas. Move from the negativity of the experience and look at the positive side.

So instead of calling it “writer’s block” or “being stuck”, call it “a change of scenery” and “a change of focus”.

Here are fifteen practical ways to overcome the lack of flow that you experience in penning your words on paper:

1. Step Away Briefly – Take a short walk, nap, or shower to reset your brain.
2. Change your Environment – Write in a different space (e.g. coffee shop, park, new room).
3. Do a Brain Dump – Write freely for 10 minutes without editing or filtering the words.
4. Lower the Stakes – Tell yourself it’s okay to write something “bad” – get words down.
5. Set a Timer – E.g. 25 minutes of writing and a 5-minute break to build momentum.
6. Skip Around – Write a later scene or paragraph if you’re stuck on the current one.
7. Use Prompts – Try writing prompts related to your topic or something random.
8. Outline – Create or revise your outline to clarify direction.
9. Free write in Character – Let one of your characters “talk” to you on the page.
10. Use Voice Notes – Speak your ideas aloud and transcribe later.
11. Write by Hand – A different medium can trigger creativity.
12. Write in a Different Format – Try journaling, poetry, or a letter format.
13. Set Small Goals – E.g. Write 100 words instead of trying to finish the chapter.
14. Read for Inspiration – Read something you admire to reconnect with storytelling.
15. Do Something – Exercise or do something creative (drawing, music, cooking).

At the end of the day, writer’s block isn’t some intangible attack on our creative flow; it’s usually fear, overthinking, or the pressure to get it all perfect on the first go. Once you get through what’s actually holding you back, things get a lot easier. Don’t wait around for a lightning bolt of inspiration, start writing, even if it’s messy. That’s how the good stuff starts to flow. The words are already in you; you just need to let them out.