Let me start with a disclaimer: I’m not a psychologist or some motivational guru. In fact, I’ve never been paid for anything in the nonfiction world. But I have been face to face with the beast we call writer’s block.
Whether it’s truly a “block” or just the pressure of a looming option, a contract, or even your own past successes—it happens. And one thing is certain:
Procrastination, however comforting, is a killer—of creativity, of momentum, of careers.
The Routine That Saves Me
I’ve learned that I thrive on routine. I gather everything I need—my laptop, my notes, my coffee—and I plant myself in one spot. I don’t allow myself to leave until something good has been written. That doesn’t mean I have to perfect the third act or rewrite the climax of a blockbuster. It just means I have to write—something.
There have been times when I’ve felt paralyzed by the fear of turning in subpar work to a production company or a publisher. So what did I do? Everything but writing. I’d walk the dogs. Water the yard. Take a nap. Anything to avoid that blinking cursor.
The Coach’s Wisdom
I often think back to something my old coach used to say:
“You know what the best part about banging your head against the wall is? It really feels good when you stop.”
It always made me laugh—but weirdly enough, it stuck with me. That metaphor hit home in the creative world. There’s relief on the other side of the block—but only if you push through.
So I started writing every day. Like a job. Some days, it was like hiking through molasses. Other days, it was pure magic. But I set a time, stuck to it, and wrote—no matter what. Sometimes the words were throwaway, sometimes they turned into screenplays. A few helped land paid writing gigs. One even pulled me out of one of the most stagnant periods of my creative life.
Trick Yourself If You Have To
Here’s the truth: For me, writer’s block was psychological. I’m a headcase. I know that. So I had to learn how to trick myself—to outsmart my own excuses and resistance. I needed to write, whether it felt inspired or not.
That system worked for me. Your system might be totally different. But here’s the part I hope resonates:
Find what works for you—and don’t stop writing.
Writers are a special breed. We are, quite literally, the backbone of the entertainment industry. Nothing moves forward without the words. No visuals, no sound, no story.
So, work hard. Support other writers. And write stories that only you can tell.
