When in doubt, journal it out. Get unstuck in a week with the prompts in my free journaling for writer’s block challenge. (PS. I’m a million-words-a-year author. That’s why I put this resource together. I’ve been stuck and I’ve been unstuck. Being unstuck is way more fun. I want that for you.)
Journaling for writer’s block helps break the creative freeze. About ten minutes a day tends to be a good amount of journaling time to unlock at least one new idea, but everyone’s brain is a little different. If you enjoy what you’re writing (or if it feels cathartic, like popping a pimple), keep going longer.
The 7 guided journal prompts below are designed as a weeklong challenge. If you miss a day, just pick it back up as soon as you can; life happens; what matters most is not to give up. I wish you ease, curiosity, pleasure, and courage. If you find yourself frustrated or ruminating along the way, here’s my 2-minute pep talk for writer’s block.
If you want to set a mood, here’s my guided journaling playlist:
Read the day’s questions and put your pen on a page. Answer honestly, answer quickly, and see what pops up. See if you can witness your thoughts without judgement and just keep your hand moving.
A Week of Journaling for Writer’s Block
DAY ONE: INPUT & INSPIRATION
What kinds of things have inspired me in the past? What can I do to bring more of those into my week?
DAY TWO: SUPPORT & PRESSURE
What’s the current level of social support (from friends, family, classmates, mentors, editors, readers, etc) around my writing? Do I want to add more or remove some of this pressure?
DAY THREE: STAYING & GOING
If I simply quit writing right now and never wrote again, how might that feel? What might I like or dislike about not trying to be a writer anymore?
DAY FOUR: HOPES & GOALS
What’s the best real thing I might make happen by writing? How can I increase the chances of it happening?
DAY FIVE: FRUSTRATION & RESILIENCE
When have I overcome a frustration in my life before? What did I learn that might apply to writing?
DAY SIX: EASE & AMBITION
What’s are the easiest kinds of thing for me to write (short/long, fiction/non-fiction, collaborative/solo, poetry/prose, etc)? Would I prefer the relief of that ease right now or the challenge of something harder?
DAY SEVEN: PLEASURE & JOY
What do I enjoy about the act of writing? What might help me enjoy writing today?
With all this self-reflection on your side (plus the proof that you can set a writing goal like “complete a journaling for writer’s block challenge” and stick to it at a pace that suits you), you’ll be more equipped than ever to face the blank page ON YOUR TERMS.
You might even enjoy it.
Yeah, I said “enjoy.” The prompts on that last day of journaling for writer’s block can feel slippery or tricky to answer, but figuring out how to enjoy writing is really valuable terrain. Adding more pleasure to writing in the moment unlocks “intrinsic motivation,” which is the phenomenon that’ll prevent you from getting blocked in the future. I’ll write a whole post with practical strategies for adding enjoyment to the act of writing soon. (I’m blogging as fast as I can!) But for now, if you’re still experiencing writer’s block, you can try a practical approach with my science-backed Mantra for Writer’s Block.
If you want more guidance about why your writing matters, you might like Ooops, it’s time to save the world by writing or you might appreciate This matters (writing in hard times). If you think it might be a smaller issue of just getting started, try 55 Ways to Stop Procrastination.
I’m rooting for you. I’ve been blocked and I got out. You can too.
xo, megan
Or just go home to the blog.
These (hopefully) really quite helpful creative writing tips offer what I’ve learned as an award-winning author who writes a million words a year, and what I’ve learned about supporting others as a private writing coach.
There’s no one way to write. There’s only your way. I hope some of my tactics and ideas can help you find it.
Yup, I’m a writing coach.
I work with folks at all levels of experience and all levels of income. My writers range from unhoused teens living on the streets to C-suite executives who want to up-level their communication. If you want a private coaching session but can’t afford it, email megan@howtowritesomething.com and ask for scholarship info.
curious/confused?: what does a writing coach do (and not do)
THANK YOU to this month’s generously supportive patrons who are helping me build a digital library of free writing resources to support writers with different access needs! Three cheers for A.J., Dan, Jason, Jennifer, Jessica, Josh, Katherine, Kathleen, Marianna, Nell, Sarah, and some anonymous folks who’ve asked not to be named. Come on in, the Patreon’s fine.