7 Strategies to Overcome Writer's Block

Writer's block isn't a lack of talent; it's a temporary jam in the creative gears. It happens to everyone, from beginners to bestsellers. Here is how to unjam the machine.

1. Lower Your Standards

Perfectionism is the main cause of writer's block. Give yourself permission to write badly. You can't edit a blank page. Write a terrible first draft. It's easier to fix "bad" than "nothing."

2. Stop at a Good Part

Ernest Hemingway advised: "Stop when you are going good and when you know what will happen next." This makes it incredibly easy to start again the next day because you already know the next sentence.

3. Try Freewriting

Set a timer for 10 minutes and write without stopping. Don't worry about grammar or logic. Just keep your fingers moving. Write "I don't know what to write" if you have to. This loosens up the mental muscles.

4. Use AI as a Spark

Stuck on a sentence? Hearth's AI tab-complete can suggest the next few words. You don't have to use them, but seeing a suggestion is often enough to trigger your own better idea. Press Tab to accept, or keep typing to dismiss. It's like having a writing partner who finishes your sentences— take the suggestion or let it spark something better.

5. Skip the Boring Parts

If you're bored writing a scene, your reader will be bored reading it. If you're stuck on a transition, type [THEY GET TO THE CASTLE] and skip ahead to the fun part.

6. Change Your Environment

Sometimes your brain associates your desk with "stuck." Move to the couch, a coffee shop, or a park. A fresh view can lead to a fresh perspective.

7. Reconnect with Your "Why"

Why did you start this story? What excited you about it? Go back to your original notes or outline. Remind yourself of the core idea that sparked the project.

Related Resources

• AI Tab-Complete: Your Writing Assistant →
• How to Write Your First Draft →
• 101 Writing Prompts →