Writing tips

For flow, for clarity, and for new ideas

We all experience occasional mental blocks and frustration around our seeming inability to get our writing to flow. This can occur when writing an email message or when writing a manuscript.

Here are some examples of the writing blocks I experience:

• My writing is muddled and uninspiring and isn’t doing the topic justice.

• It reads awkwardly. Words aren’t flowing nicely from sentence to sentence or paragraph to paragraph.

• The point I’m trying to make isn’t proving to be as clear or as impactful as I’d like.

• I can’t seem to get out of the stuck way I’m expressing something, even though it isn’t working.

Every so often, a writing block will persist long enough to give way to a stream of self-criticism, which can then lead to the ultimate self-sabotaging feeling of Who am I kidding? Why am I even writing? I’m not good enough. I should give up. End of story.

Fortunately, this isn’t the norm for me, though it certainly does happen. I’m an editor, so I understand that writing is a craft and I can be pretty practical and objective about making improvements. I seek improvement as the goal; not necessarily “perfection.” (Good luck if that’s the objective!)

The good news (if this is really good news) is that writing blocks happen for most writers, even those who are well-accomplished. Let that provide some solace when it happens to you. And if it doesn’t happen to you, kudos! You’re a rare one.

Below is a list of twenty suggestions for managing mental writing blocks, finding the right edits, and getting to better flow. These are based on what has helped me with my own writing. A few apply to writing narratives, but most apply to any style of writing.

These items are offered in no particular order. As they say in twelve-step meetings, “take what you like and leave the rest.” By simply compiling this list, I’ve created a go-to reference tool to serve as my own reminder.

1. Write truly, as yourself, and not as the “writer” you think you’re supposed to be. Use your genuine voice. Trying too hard only stifles the writing.

2. Write the first draft without editing or censoring yourself; let your natural rhythm and thought process flow.

3. Consider reading your writing out loud. Hearing the writing can help you find easy edits and new ideas. (I noted this when recording voiceovers of some of my personal stories for the In This Life Podcast.)

4. If you find yourself moving into self-critical mode and can’t get out of your stuck place, step away and do something totally different for a while. Come back after you’ve had a chance to switch gears, so you can revisit the draft with a refreshed outlook.

5. When reviewing your draft, watch out for word repetition. It’s easy to resort to using the same phrases or adjectives repeatedly. Sometimes, that repetition is conscious and effective, particularly if it’s dialogue and part of a person’s speech pattern, but be wary of too much repetition. It can distract or even irritate the reader. Consider a thesaurus or find different ways to say the same thing.

6. Ask someone you trust if they’d be willing to read your draft and provide general feedback around 1) the overall flow, 2) if/where they may have become distracted or confused, and 3) if other questions came up that they think may need addressing. This feedback will help suggest any developmental edits.

7. For more granular editing notes and suggestions, consider using an editing app like “ProWritingAid”. There’s a free version you can use. This app can check a document for redundancies, incorrect grammar, repetition, and much more. (Note, however, that its reports can also be a little overwhelming. It’s an app, so it’s purely technical. It may pick up on granular items, but it doesn’t pick up on nuance or individual style. Use it as a reference tool; not as a directive.)

8. Read other writers in your own genre, but try not to slip into a “compare and despair” mentality. You are you. You are not them. And that is great! You can get tips and ideas from their approach and writing style, but you will have your own.

9. If or when you inject unfamiliar subjects into a narrative or description (i.e., a particular career, a skillset, a location, a historical era), be sure to do some research, or run it by someone who is familiar with the topic, to ensure you get the details right. Try to avoid resorting to clichés.

10. Play! Play with forms and ideas. You can move the chronology around or change perspectives (i.e. from first person to third; from one character to another). Forego conventional rules if you feel drawn to approach things a little differently. It might work, it might not. But how cool if it does! Try it out and see how it goes.

11. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Loosen up. (Sometimes, this means physically, too. Take breaks. Go for a walk, get some fresh air, exercise, stretch.)

12. If you experience writer’s block around trying to express a particular thought or concept, imagine someone casually asking you, “What are you trying to say??” Then respond out loud, as in conversation, and write down what you said. (It’s an amazing trick. It’s kind of like going through the back door to get to where you want to be.)

13. Freewrite. A freewriting exercise can help with flexibility, flow, and new ideas. What is freewriting? Writing continuously in a stream-of-consciousness style without lifting pen from paper. (Ideally, you’ll write in freehand.) You do this for either five minutes or three notebook pages. Do NOT stop to think or self-edit. The point here is to get out of your own way and let your subconscious take over.

14. Play with prompts for those freewriting exercises. Prompts should be given at the exact moment you’re ready to freewrite, so you can’t think about what you’ll write. Some prompt ideas:

    1. Start with a snippet of overheard dialogue from a stranger.

    2. Open any novel to a random page. Start your exercise with the first sentence you read.

    3. Turn on the television, put it on mute, switch to a random channel and unmute. Write the first sentence you hear and continue from there.

    4. Start by describing something. Anything. Look around you and pick a random object. Start the description and see where that takes you.

    5. Set up a weekly prompt and writing ritual with a friend or a writing buddy. Switch roles in giving out a first sentence for the writing prompt. Share your writing when you’re done.

15. Use your mobile phone to record dictated notes and ideas on the fly, so you can reference them later. You might also keep a notepad by your bed. Use that to jot down ideas or dreams while they’re still fresh on the mind.

16. For inspiration, make a special writing date with yourself. Pick a date and time when you’ll be solo. Get jazzed! Set the tone to make it feel different or special. Listen to particular music to enhance a mood for what you want to write about.

17. Read across different genres. Pick genres you normally don’t consider. If you normally read mysteries, read some non-fiction. If you normally read non-fiction, read some sci-fi. Reading different genres can open your mind to new topics, ideas, and writing styles. (And if you speak different languages, read in those languages, too.)

18. Give yourself incentives as you move along, e.g., when you complete a portion of your draft (or a related task, such as conducting particular research), you’ll get to do X as a reward/treat. Celebrate your progress!

19. Listen to inspiring music or talks and keep spiritual books by your bed. Make a ritual out of reading or listening to something affirming first thing in the morning and last thing at night. This will help quiet your inner critic and better connect you with Source, intuition, and flow. (This is helpful for daily life in general.)

20. And last, but not least, (if I may, and I will), a little plug: if you’re still stuck, or if you want additional objective feedback, consider my freelance services. 😊 I’m experienced as a professional reader (yes, there is such a thing), developmental editor, copyeditor, and researcher. I’ve helped people with manuscripts, website content, personal essays, documentaries, informational material, and more. If you’re on LinkedIn, you can connect with me there. (My profile is visible when logged in.) Please feel free to reach out with any questions.

I hope this list proves helpful. If you have notes or ideas you’d like to add, please do! Scroll down to “like” or to share your comments.

Here’s to your writing! May it flow, may it flow, may it flow.

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▶️ New to In This Life? Welcome! I write about a variety of topics. A sampling of previous posts:

“Getting out of a chronic negative thinking pattern”

“New beginnings in Tokyo”

“What wavelength are you on?”

“Ten (more) pointers for National Grammar Day”

“Madhu was my best friend in India”

🎧 I also occasionally record voiceovers and interviews for the In This Life Podcast. You can find the podcast on Substack, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.