Feeling Stuck? Here’s How To Get Your Words Flowing Again
The KidLit Creator’s Chronicle – Issue #14
Hi there,
We’ve all had those days. You sit down, switch on your computer, and… nothing. The words just won’t come. You stare at the screen, type a sentence, delete it, retype it, and wonder if you’ve somehow forgotten how to write altogether.
It’s frustrating, especially when you’ve set aside precious time to work on your book. Whether you’re stuck on the first line, halfway through a draft, or on revisions, writer’s block can feel discouraging and even a little lonely.
But getting stuck is part of the creative process. Even the most successful authors hit walls. What matters most is how you respond to those stuck moments. And more often than not, the solution isn’t to push harder, it’s to shift your approach.
What Writer’s Block is Not
Writer’s block isn’t a sign that you’re not cut out to be an author. It’s something many authors face. The blank page stares back, and no matter how hard you try, the words just won’t come.
It’s easy to feel like pushing through is the only answer. And sometimes it can be.
But here’s a shift in thinking: what if writer’s block isn’t a problem to beat, but a signal to listen to? It could mean your creativity needs something different: rest, clarity, or even a simple mindset reset.
For children’s book authors especially, where every word matters, it’s not unusual to freeze up trying to make it “perfect.” But perfection isn’t the goal, progress is. And that progress doesn’t always come from grinding harder. It often comes from stepping back, trying a new angle, or becoming more relaxed about the outcome.
The good news is that there are practical, simple ways to get unstuck and reconnect with your creativity. You don’t have to wait for inspiration to strike. You can create the conditions that invite it back in.
In this edition, we’ll look at some real-world strategies that can help you move forward, even on the days when writing feels impossible!
Practical Strategies to Overcome Writer’s Block
When you’re stuck, you don’t need more pressure. You need practical, low-pressure ways to reconnect with your creative flow. Here are a few strategies that work for authors:
1. Switch Tools or Environments
Sometimes a small change can lead to major progress.
- Try writing by hand instead of typing.
- Move to a different room, write outside, or change the time of day you work.
- Use sticky notes or index cards to map out scenes or ideas visually.
You can also try to “talk it out”: sometimes, saying your story out loud, even just to yourself, can help you hear what’s not quite working and what might come next.
These shifts signal your mind that you’re doing something new, possibly more playful, and remove the pressure of your usual writing routine and writer’s block.
2. Lower the Stakes
In your stories, you need to up the stakes, but in your writing, it can help to lower the stakes! Perfectionism is one of the biggest causes of writer’s block. Instead of aiming for a full picture book manuscript with revisions, aim for an outline or revising two paragraphs, or instead of for “perfect,” aim for “done.”
- Set a timer for 10 minutes and write anything that comes to mind, even if it’s messy.
- Let yourself write badly on purpose. You can fix it later.
- Start in the middle of your story instead of the beginning. Just pick the part you’re most excited about.
3. Try a Different Creative Outlet
Creative energy doesn’t disappear, it just sometimes needs a new channel.
- Doodle your character.
- Paint a picture.
- Write a silly poem or a letter from your main character to their future self.
This keeps the creative gears turning without forcing the specific project you’re stuck on.
4. Use Constraints to Your Advantage
Oddly enough, limits can unlock creativity. It’s like we find new freedoms within these new, specific barriers.
- Give yourself a word count cap (e.g., 100 words).
- Choose three random words and write a scene that includes them.
- Write your story in a different format, like a journal entry or a comic strip.
Boundaries can give you something solid to push against.
5. Walk Away On Purpose
If your brain is foggy, don’t force it. Sometimes the best writing decision is to not write, just for a bit.
- Go for a walk.
- Make a cup of tea.
- Do something completely unrelated and let your mind wander.
Giving yourself full permission to pause often brings the clarity or inspiration you need.
6. Get a Creative Boost Through Training
Last, but certainly not least, is training! This is probably my favourite, as I find that often when we get stuck with anything in life, it’s’ just because we don’t know all the steps of how to do it. It’s the same with writer’s block–it is often rooted in not knowing what to do next. If you feel unsure about structure, pacing, or how to bring your story to life, getting training or support can give you the clarity and direction you need to move forward with confidence. When you understand the “how,” you’re far less likely to stay stuck.
Whatever tool you choose, the key is to treat writer’s block not as a failure, but as a signal. You might just need a new approach, a new skill, or a bit of kindness to yourself to get back in gear.
A Different Idea: Maybe “Writer’s Block” Isn’t the Problem
We often treat writer’s block like a crisis, a sign that something is wrong with us or our ability to write. But what if it’s not a problem to fix… but a message to listen to?
Writer’s block might not mean you’re “blocked” at all. It might just mean you’re:
- Tired
- Overwhelmed
- Trying too hard to get it perfect
- Pushing through an idea that doesn’t feel right
Here’s a different way to look at it: Writer’s block is feedback. It’s your creative brain saying, “I need a minute.” Or, “This isn’t the story I want to tell right now.” Or even, “Let’s play instead of push.”
Sometimes the most productive thing you can do isn’t to force more words, it’s to pause, reflect, or take a small detour that brings joy back into the process.
Here’s the irony: When you stop fighting writer’s block, it often loses its power.
Instead of seeing it as a wall, try treating it like a redirection sign that’s pointing you toward rest, curiosity, or a new idea that fits better than the one you were trying to force.
Takeaway: When you realise writer’s block is just a signal to change gears, it can be freeing. You’re not “broken,” but can use blocks as an opportunity to evolve.
Real Examples
Writer’s block can happen to anyone, even the most successful authors. The difference is, they don’t see it as the end of the road. They find ways to move through it.
Kate DiCamillo, author of Because of Winn-Dixie and The Tale of Despereaux, has spoken openly about writing two pages a day, no matter what. She doesn’t wait for inspiration. She shows up and keeps going, no matter what (but without pressure to write 50 pages a day). Her process is proof that small, steady effort can carry you through a creative slump.
R.L. Stine, known for his Goosebumps series, says he never gets writer’s block. What’s his secret? He outlines everything before he starts. This structure gives him a roadmap so he’s never staring at a blank page, wondering what comes next. For some writers, preparation is the best prevention.
J.K. Rowling shared that the idea for Harry Potter came to her on a train, during a moment of total stillness. She had nothing to write with, and no pressure to be productive. The idea came when she wasn’t trying. That moment of mental space turned into a world-famous story.
In my own work coaching children’s book authors, I’ve seen incredible breakthroughs come from just giving yourself permission to write something messy and let go of the fear of imperfection, “what ifs” or “but-I-don’t-know-everything-there-is-to-know-about-all-of-this worries. Those shifts help you rediscover your love for writing, bring the joy back and take the pressure off.
Over to You!
Next time you feel stuck, try one of today’s tips: take a 10-minute walk, free-write without editing, or revisit your favourite book for inspiration.
Even small shifts can open big doors.
And I’d love to hear from you:
What’s your go-to strategy for getting unstuck when writer’s block (or frustration) strikes?
Comment and let me know. I might feature your tip in a future edition of the Chronicle!
I know how discouraging writer’s block can feel. But if there’s one thing that’s certain, it’s that writer’s block can’t last forever, especially if you take the right steps to overcome it!
A small shift, a little play, or simply giving yourself permission to write something imperfect can open the floodgates again.
You don’t have to power through alone, and you definitely don’t have to be “on” all the time to be a real writer. You already are one.
Until next week!
