Tips/methods for getting out of a writers block

[Darth Vader]

Soooooooo...

This seems to be happening a lot. I can't really tell whether it's either me burning out from writing too much or I'm getting distracted by other things too easily. I hear a lot of people tend to have methods or things they do that help them getting into the writing mood, and whilst I'm usually able to just sit down and channel all my being and attention into writing, there's select times (like now) where I just can't :3

So, what do you guys do to get yourselves in the writing mindset? I'd like to hear.

[Shay Cormac]

Well, my mind is easy to get going, so I just listen to music, read other things, look at art that pertains to a certain setting of what I'm writing, or play some video games to get my cogs turning.

Just remember, try not to force yourself to do any of this, or it'll probably make the writer's block worse! Keep yourself entertained with something creative, and if you get into it enough, your mind will do all of the work for you, usually.

[Joline]

When I need inspiration to break writer's block, I usually listen to music from the character's source material (If there is any), but that's because I'm very musically inclined and Madoka Magica/Bravely Default music really gets me going. It helps me think of where that music links to what my characters did in their source material, which makes me start thinking about what they'll do in their current situation, which breaks my writer's block.

I'm sure that wouldn't work with just anyone, but it's probably worth a shot, right? (Good luck breaking your writer's block, by the way!~)

[Deadpool]

Eat and then smoke some weed

[Darth Vader]

Well, my mind is easy to get going, so I just listen to music, read other things, look at art that pertains to a certain setting of what I'm writing, or play some video games to get my cogs turning.

Just remember, try not to force yourself to do any of this, or it'll probably make the writer's block worse! Keep yourself entertained with something creative, and if you get into it enough, your mind will do all of the work for you, usually.

Mhmmm, I've heard music helps. I think I'll back up a few playlists for whilst I'm writing mug: the other things are super useful, as well. Thank ya

When I need inspiration to break writer's block, I usually listen to music from the character's source material (If there is any), but that's because I'm very musically inclined and Madoka Magica/Bravely Default music really gets me going. It helps me think of where that music links to what my characters did in their source material, which makes me start thinking about what they'll do in their current situation, which breaks my writer's block.

I'm sure that wouldn't work with just anyone, but it's probably worth a shot, right? (Good luck breaking your writer's block, by the way!~)

Yeahhh. My characters from a book AND a TV show, so the good thing about that is that I can rewatch his scenes/re-read some of his POV chapters to place myself back into his shoes and get the ball rolling.

(And thank you! I wouldn't call it a writer's block per say, also, but it's the easiest way the phrase it. It's more of a desire to be able to sit down and write when I have the most time on my hands, which I can't always seem to do)

Eat and then smoke some weed

*grumbles something about being broke and weed being expensive*

[Illidan Stormrage]

Do you have writer's block in the sense that you don't know what to write next, or that you just can't focus?

If it's the latter, I find music really helps. And the times that it doesn't, I just make myself write. Usually once I've written even a small paragraph, I tend to find my groove and keep writing. Sometimes I might not write much for the entire session (<500 words) and other times I'll write non-stop (wrote 3.5k words yesterday doing this very thing).

If it's the former, you may just need to take a break, maybe do some reading, just free up your brain and it will replenish itself.

[PepsiWhirda]

Well, my mind is easy to get going, so I just listen to music, read other things, look at art that pertains to a certain setting of what I'm writing, or play some video games to get my cogs turning.

Just remember, try not to force yourself to do any of this, or it'll probably make the writer's block worse! Keep yourself entertained with something creative, and if you get into it enough, your mind will do all of the work for you, usually.

Mhmmm, I've heard music helps. I think I'll back up a few playlists for whilst I'm writing mug: the other things are super useful, as well. Thank ya

When I need inspiration to break writer's block, I usually listen to music from the character's source material (If there is any), but that's because I'm very musically inclined and Madoka Magica/Bravely Default music really gets me going. It helps me think of where that music links to what my characters did in their source material, which makes me start thinking about what they'll do in their current situation, which breaks my writer's block.

I'm sure that wouldn't work with just anyone, but it's probably worth a shot, right? (Good luck breaking your writer's block, by the way!~)

Yeahhh. My characters from a book AND a TV show, so the good thing about that is that I can rewatch his scenes/re-read some of his POV chapters to place myself back into his shoes and get the ball rolling.

(And thank you! I wouldn't call it a writer's block per say, also, but it's the easiest way the phrase it. It's more of a desire to be able to sit down and write when I have the most time on my hands, which I can't always seem to do)

Eat and then smoke some weed

*grumbles something about being broke and weed being expensive*

Explosions in the Sky on Pandora is my #1...

[PepsiWhirda]

Don't listen to DP... the moment a drug and creative incentive go hand in hand, you lose the intrinsic value of passion - it should always be on your own terms, even if that reduces your volume.

[Deadpool]

I don't need it to write. Its just something that helps loosen me up. I have the urge either way.

[Proto Man]

Environment is key for me.

Some days, I can sit at home and plow through thousands of words of awesomeness. Other times, I struggle because of one of many distractions in my apartment (my cat, the urge to clean crap, an inability to get comfortable, or becoming too comfortable).

I feel like I do my best writing when I'm out of my element. Usually that means I go to a coffee shop, pay five bucks for a chocolate espresso beverage, and sit at a table with my laptop. This has worked wonders for me sometimes, especially when I stay for a while (I usually pack a snack and a can or bottle of soda -- just stuff to sustain me and save me some money). I think it also helps that the coffee shop I go to is always pretty quiet and when they play music, it's either instrumental stuff or 80s/90s music. I love that place.

[Trixie]

I listen to thunderstorm ambiance when I can't concentrate. Rain and thunderstorms have always calmed me in my teen/adult life. I live on the very edge of tornado alley so during a Tornado Warning I even go out and listen to the air raid sirens while being blasted by thunder and lightning.

Come to think of it. I really have no appreciation for my own mortality.

[Omni]

Make sure the area is free of distractions - that there's nothing that will interrupt you once writing starts. That means take a piss, grab a glass of water, close any instant messaging programs or tabs and turn your phone to silent if you get a lot of texts/calls.

Then I just write. I find have always got something to say or some idea of what my character might be doing. I used to plan out everything, and I still will if I've got a storyline planned out from the beginning, perhaps if I was writing a book. But for role-playing or free writing I don't treat it like a job. Because things always get derailed in role-playing anyway. That's what makes it fun. That's what makes it interactive. I never get writer's block this way. It just takes effort and actually wanting to write.

Wanting to write is key. If you feel like there's no point you're not enjoying, then you need to focus on the priorities in your life. But sometimes writing can be good for your mental health.