How to Overcome Writer's Block

Writer’s block is one of those phrases that makes every writer wince a little. It shows up quietly at first—maybe you’re just tired, or the words feel clunky—but before long, it can feel like your creativity has packed up and left the room entirely. The good news? You’re not alone. Even the most prolific writers hit walls, wrestle with doubt, or stare down the blinking cursor wondering if they’ll ever feel inspired again.

Thankfully, writer’s block isn’t the end of the story. It’s a pause, a slowdown, sometimes even a signal that your mind needs rest or redirection. The truth is, writing doesn’t always flow like a river. Sometimes it comes in trickles. Sometimes it needs coaxing. And sometimes it just needs you to show up anyway.

"You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club." - Jack London

What is Writer's Block?

Writer’s block refers to a state in which a writer finds themselves unable to write. It is not procrastination or apathy, it is a creative standstill, a feeling of being stuck in the space between wanting to write and not knowing how.

The term ‘writer’s block’ was first coined in the 1940s by psychoanalyst Edmund Bergler, who studied what he described as “neurotic inhibitions of productivity.” While that language feels a bit clinical today, the idea stuck: that there’s something real and human behind the silence, something more than just a lack of discipline. Over time, the concept evolved from a strictly psychological condition to something all writers face from time to time, for all kinds of reasons.

What Causes Writer's Block?

There’s no single reason why writer’s block happens. It wears different faces for different writers, and sometimes even from one day to the next. But if we slow down and look closely, a few common patterns begin to emerge.

Perfectionism

Our inner critics can be loud, especially when you care deeply about your craft. You might find yourself stuck in the first paragraph, rewriting the same sentence over and over, waiting for it to be just right. But the truth is, early drafts are meant to be messy. Perfectionism convinces you that your writing isn’t good enough, when what it really needs is space to unfold.

"I haven’t had trouble with writer’s block. I think it’s because my process involves writing very badly. My first drafts are filled with lurching, clichéd writing, outright flailing around. Writing that doesn’t have a good voice or any voice. But then there will be good moments. It seems writer’s block is often a dislike of writing badly and waiting for writing better to happen.” — Jennifer Egan

Fear of Failure

What if no one likes it? What if they do? Sometimes, the very idea of being read is enough to freeze your hand above the keyboard. Fear of judgment can quiet even the strongest voice. When this happens, the best thing to do is write for yourself, not an audience, not an editor, not a publisher.

“Give yourself permission to write a bad book. Writer’s block is another name for writer’s dread—the paralyzing fear that our work won’t measure up. It doesn’t matter how many books I’ve published, starting the next one always feels as daunting as the first. A day comes when I just have to make a deal with myself: write something anyway, even if it’s awful. Nobody has to know. Maybe it never leaves this room! Just go.” — Barbara Kingsolver

Burnout

When life gets too full, creativity often takes a backseat. If you've been juggling too much, pushing too hard, or neglecting rest, your creative energy may be depleted. Writer’s block can be your mind’s way of asking for stillness and care.

Lack of Direction

Sometimes you sit down to write and simply don’t know where to start. Or maybe you’re midway through a piece and unsure where it’s headed. That sense of uncertainty can be paralyzing, especially if you're waiting for clarity before allowing yourself to move forward. But writing doesn’t always begin with a full map. Even a fragment—a single image, a line of dialogue, a feeling—can be enough to guide the next step. Trust that meaning can emerge throughout the process, not just before it.

External Pressure

Deadlines, expectations, comparison—it’s easy to feel squeezed by the weight of what others want from your writing. When writing becomes about meeting standards rather than exploring truth, the joy can disappear. Reclaiming it means returning to what drew you to the page in the first place.

“Professional writers don’t have muses; they have mortgages.” — Larry Kahaner

How to Overcome Writer's Block

There is no tried-and-true cure-all for writer’s block, but there are ways through it. Often, the goal isn’t to break the block wide open, but to soften it. To create just enough space for something new to take shape. These practices won’t force inspiration, but they can invite it gently back in.

1. Read Widely & Often

   When the words won’t come, turn to the ones already written. Reading can rekindle your creative spark in surprising ways. Reread a book you love. Discover a new poet. Explore voices outside your usual orbit. Pay attention to what stirs something in you, like a sentence, a rhythm, a truth. Sometimes, reading reminds you why you wanted to write in the first place. It fills the well so you have something to draw from again.

   
   

2. Write Freely

   Give yourself permission to write badly. Truly—write nonsense, write fragments, write lists, write without punctuation or purpose. The point isn’t to create something perfect; it’s to bypass the part of your brain that wants to edit before anything has even been said. Set a timer for ten minutes and let the words spill out. You can always shape them later. But first, you have to let them exist.

“You can’t think yourself out of a writing block; you have to write yourself out of a thinking block.” — John Rogers

3. Change Your Environment

   Sometimes the block isn’t in your mind, but in the space around you. Try writing somewhere new: a café, a library, a park bench, even a different corner of your home. Light a candle. Turn on music. Shift the energy. A fresh setting can signal to your brain that it’s time to see things differently and push forward.

   
   

4. Return to Ritual

   Rituals don’t have to be elaborate. A cup of tea, a certain playlist, five minutes of freewriting before the real work begins—small, consistent cues that tell your mind it’s time to create. Rituals offer structure, which can feel grounding when everything else feels uncertain. Over time, they can become a bridge back into the writing space.

   
   

5. Talk It Out

   If you’re stuck on an idea, try saying it out loud. Call a writing friend, talk to yourself during a walk, or record a voice memo. Sometimes speaking your thoughts can unlock connections that feel tangled on the page.

   
   

6. Step Away (Temporarily)

   Rest is not the enemy of productivity. Sometimes the most creative thing you can do is close the notebook and walk away for a while. Take a walk. Watch a film. Cook a meal. Give your brain a break from the pressure to produce. Let the quiet do its work. When you return, the words may be waiting.

“If you’ve got writer’s block, enjoy the silence while it lasts. In another day, week, or month, you’ll be so filled with things to say you’ll be sneaking out of bed again. Who knows why the brain is into different things at different times. But we’re so much more effective when we follow what our body wants to do, rather than trying to fight it.” — Derek Sivers

Overcome Writer's Block With Ink & Oak

Writer’s block is frustrating, but doesn’t mean you’ve lost your voice or your talent. It just means you’re in a quiet part of the process, and that’s okay. Be gentle with yourself, try something new, and trust that the words will return.

At Ink & Oak, we believe in the power of emerging voices. We welcome poetry, short stories, and creative nonfiction from North Carolina writers who are finding their way through doubt, through silence, through the beautiful mess of making something real.

If you’ve been working through a block and are ready to share your words, we’d love to read them! Submit your work today—your voice belongs on the page.