Most people have experienced writer's block at one time or another, regardless of whether you're a professional writer or not.
Whether it's a novel, poem, essay, or even an email or letter, sometimes the words just won't come.
To help you get over writer's block, we've gone through some answers from published authors and writers to the question "What are some tips to get rid of writer's block?" on Quora.
Here are 7 of their best tips for overcoming writer's block:
SEE ALSO: 6 writing mistakes even good leaders make, and how to avoid them
Ask questions
When you can't think of what to write, you can get your mind going by answering the "five W's," namely, "Who, what, where, when, and why," writes K.M. Weiland, an author of historical and speculative fiction, on Quora.
"I've filled notebooks upon notebooks with my why-ing and what if-ing, especially during the outlining stages," she writes. "This is a process that has never failed me."
By journaling and writing down your thoughts in a stream-of-consciousness mode, you get your writing muscle going rather than just sitting and fuming in frustration, Weiland says.
Leave a few loose threads every day
Weiland also writes that if you "make it a habit" to stop yourself mid-sentence or mid-idea when you're writing, and leave yourself a few "loose threads," you'll have something to start on the next day, rather than sitting around waiting for the inspiration to come to you.
Brainstorm ahead of time
Instead of brainstorming when you sit down to write, take the time to come up with ideas in between writing sessions.
Weiland, for example, walks down to her mailbox every day after writing and uses that time to "run over scenes" she plans to work on the next day, "identify potential problems, and just generally form a plan of attack."
Since brainstorming and writing are two different processes, Weiland says it's helpful to break them up and brainstorm when you don't absolutely need a computer or notebook in front of you. It's also a good idea to do this when you're walking or commuting.
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