How To Get Unblocked and Enjoy Your Creative Writing Again

There are times when we get so caught up in the struggles of trying to write, we forget that it's actually supposed to be fun. But sitting at a blank page for the 10th time in two days, finding it about as easy to write as tap-dancing on a tightrope, it's not hard to see why we don't associate this with pleasure and enjoyment.

So what can YOU do to get unblocked and bring the enjoyment back into your creative writing? Here are 5 top tips:

1. Pick small bite-size projects. When you haven’t been writing fluidly for some time, the best way to sabotage your new efforts is to set a completely unrealistic target. Like “I’m going to write 10 new poems before sunset,” when the last poem you wrote was a year ago. Choose a small project, like a haiku or an outline for a new character, or a letter to a friend, and enjoy your writing without expecting to produce reams of incredible poetry or prose.
2. Write often. Yes, I know that sounds obvious, and that’s what you’ve been trying to do. But a daily habit really is the key to prolific and free-flowing writing. Even if your write a handful of sentences a day for 2 weeks, it’s better than writing 500 words in one go and then writing nothing for 10 days. Writing daily trains your creativity to see this as the natural way of creating--it becomes second nature. Set aside 15 minutes a day and just write.
3. Experiment with writing prompts. If you feel you’re short of ideas to develop, then creative writing prompts are a great stimulation to get your creativity off and running. The prompt simply provides a starting point--once you’re writing, it’s completely up to you how and where the story evolves. Just having a couple of phrases to begin with, for example, “red dress, “that summer,” “Mexico,” gives your creative mind the signal to start making connections and fleshing out possible stories.
4. Write about what you long to write about. It’s easy to get caught up in what you think you SHOULD be writing, both in content and in style of writing. There are many reasons why this happens, and most of them lead to a sense of resentment and frustration! Instead write about what you’ve always wanted to write, in the way you’ve always wanted to write about. Be true to yourself and your writing will flow with an abundance of passion.
5. Find a writing buddy. A great way of keeping yourself motivated in your writing is to team up with a fellow writer and have regular check-ins on how you’re doing. You can even collaborate on some writing projects if you wish. This is effective in two ways-- first, you’re giving encouragement to someone else, and second, you’re receiving the same support for your own writing.

Which of these tips will you choose first to help boost YOUR creative writing?