The Least Comprehensive List on How to Overcome Writer's Block—Written by Adefisayo Aromolaran

1. Go outside
When was the last time you dug your bare hands through a patch of soil? Can’t
remember? Before you wonder what in the world I am getting at let me inform you that
writing is about communicating newness. I could write about a sorrow which you and I
have both experienced but my writing would be new. No one had ever thought to string
together the alphabet in that exact way to communicate that feeling. Your writing is new.
So have you ever stopped to ask yourself ‘how many new things have I done?’. How
many unique sensations have I experienced in the past month? If you think I’m here to
tell you to shove your hand into a tub of expired mayo at your friend's house- then you
are correct. Do that. Please. Experience something you have never experienced before or
something you have forgotten what the experience was like. New likes new. And your
writing will flourish after you have tended to the monotony your mind has become so
accustomed to.

2. Talk to people
At an airport I struck up a conversation with the pilot who was standing behind me in a
Chick-fil-A line. He spoke of his family, his go to fast food order, and of course flight.
Waiting to place my order I second handedly experienced the worst major turbulence he
had ever flew through and the first time he flew solo. This inspired me to spend the next
few hours hacking away at a poem about flight. If I hadn’t spoken to that man what
would be next for me? Another hour spent staring at the ceiling or doom scrolling on
Instagram? Probably and we both know that no writing would take place then. The
person next to you has more of a story to tell than you think and a curious mind will
nurture your writing by providing a plethora of vicarious experiences to help it grow.

3. Read other peoples work
If you go to your local library or bookstore and pick up a book you will find
immortalized proof of someone overcoming their writer's block. How did they do it?
We’ll never know BUT we can know what story or idea or thought was so compelling
enough that they just had to pick up the pen and write it down. This could lead you to
finding your very own compelling thought that you just have to write about. So
sometimes you can’t write- read and be surprised at your urge to run to your notebook
and jot something down.

4. Put down your phone
That rectangular piece of technology has entrapped your mind, your heart, and perhaps
even your soul. Well, what I mean is that you use it. A lot. Probably a bit more than you
should. I get it. It has your friends, your family and you’ve laughed while holding it,
maybe you’ve even cried. But the not so great side effect of that is that it mentally boxes
you. That entrapment of your mind I was talking about earlier? Yeah, it manifests like
this: whether consciously or unconsciously your mind learns to live and grow in relation
to your relationship with your phone. Suddenly, and this is usually subconsciously, it’s
hard to think without it. It’s hard to breath without wondering where it is and I don’t have
to tell you that this constant attachment is hurting your writing. Clear out some space
mentally and please please put that phone down so you can write.

5. Write
I know the only reason you’ve made it this far is because you are still on the seemingly
never ending quest to cure your writer's block. So, why in the world would my final piece
of advice be to write? The one thing you can’t seem to do. Well, us writers are often
plagued with it-has-to-be-great-itis. Spare your trip to the doctors because I can explain.
As writers we feel the need to mind edit. Before we even jot something down we
subconsciously try to tailor it to be good. We leave no room for errors or blunders and
that’s why we feel crippled with an inability to write. A more fitting title would be ‘write
with no inhibitions’. This means no mind editing, no tailoring, no adjustments- just
whatever pops into your head will go on the page as is. If you asked me to do that this
minute it would probably go like ‘Hunger gnaws at my stomach. I want a pizza and a
warm doughnut.’. Was that a mind blowing piece of poetry? No. But it was something
and something often gets you somewhere especially the more you do it.

This blog post was written by Adefisayo Aromolaran.