Dealing with Writer's Block: Writing Tips: The Journal

Writer’s block is a real thing. We’ve all experience it and all dread it. But what to do when it happens?

There are tons of tricks out there and I’ll talk about different ones in different posts but today I want to talk about journals. 

There’s just something about a journal, right? That smooth cover. Those blank pages, just crying out to be filled. Endless possibilities. Or is it sitting there and reproaching you, saying “I’m beautiful, fill my pages with only beautiful words!” 

Ok, well that’s the writer’s block talking. Tell it to stop. Literally, say “Stop!”

Now, let’s try this again. 

Your journal loves you and wants to support you on your writing journey. That support can take many forms and writer’s block is a way of your brain telling you to pause, take a deep breath, and try looking at things from a different angle. Really, that’s what I believe.

If the writer’s block is so bad you can’t write anything, try taking your journal and favorite pen to your favorite, most comfortable place.

Maybe that’s a comfy chair by the window, your porch, a coffee shop. Wherever you are comfortable. Now you are going to put the pen to the first page and start writing.

Doesn’t matter what. Could be a list of names you’re thinking of for secondary characters. Could be your grocery list.

The act of putting pen to paper and getting words to flow without judgement is the only thing that’s important.

Do this every day. Some days you’ll find the pen stops and starts and you are brainstorming- maybe outlines, maybe just those word bubbles you used to do in school. Other days you find yourself writing diary entries about your day, what you saw when you took the dogs for a walk, how bad baseball practice was. 

Whatever it is though, you are writing. 

Give yourself a week and then return to your story. Did any of the random writing you found yourself doing actually spark some ideas? Did creating a new routine for yourself help develop a new rhythm? Was this a writer’s block trick that helped you wear down the block?