Okay, so you want me to tell you all about writer’s block, but like I’m just chatting with you, sharing what I know. Got it!
Here we go…
You know that feeling, right? That blank page just staring back at you, almost like it’s laughing, even though you know you’ve got amazing stories buzzing around in your head. Every writer I know has been there. It’s like this suffocating grip, turning something you used to love into… well, a chore, a frustration. And for us short story writers, it can feel extra intense because we’re supposed to be so precise and efficient with our words, but they just won’t show up!
But here’s the thing: it’s not some crazy curse. It’s totally solvable. I’ve figured out a bunch of ways to tackle it, and I’m gonna share them with you. This isn’t just about getting through today’s block, it’s about building up your creative muscles for every single story you want to tell down the road.
So, What Even IS This “Writer’s Block” Thing?
Before we start throwing solutions at it, we gotta understand what we’re up against, right? Writer’s block isn’t just one big monster. It’s more like a whole collection of little hurdles – sometimes they’re in your head, sometimes they’re practical, sometimes they’re just creative hangups. Pinpointing what’s specifically blocking you is the first step to kicking it to the curb.
The Problem of Wanting It Too Perfect
Okay, this one is probably one of the sneakiest. It’s when you want everything to be absolutely perfect. You have this grand vision in your head – the totally flawless story arc, the most beautiful words ever written. And then, the second your fingers hit the keyboard, that perfect vision just shatters. You’re so scared it won’t live up to your own internal standard that you just… freeze.
My Takeaway: You gotta separate creating from editing. Seriously. Your first draft? Think of it like raw clay for a sculptor. It’s gonna be messy, totally unrefined, but it’s essential. Just give yourself permission to write badly. Imagine you’re just sending a super rough email to a friend, just getting the main idea out there. When you free yourself from that immediate judgment, the ideas actually start flowing.
Here’s an Example: Let’s say you have this amazing, shocking twist for your short story. You sit down, but the dialogue leading up to it feels totally clunky. Instead of spending hours trying to fix that dialogue right then, just jot down something like: “Character A says [clunky dialogue – fix later]. Character B reacts [brief description of reaction]. Then comes the twist: [brief description of twist].” See? You’ve kept the momentum going, and you can come back later with fresh eyes to polish it.
My Brain Feels Empty – Where Did All the Ideas Go?
Sometimes, the well really does feel dry. No cool character ideas, no exciting plots, no interesting settings. But honestly, that’s usually not a sign that you’re creatively bankrupt. It often just means you haven’t been feeding your brain enough, or you’re just thinking too much.
My Takeaway: You have to actively refill your creative tank. Your mind is like a muscle; it needs fuel and it needs exercise. This isn’t about waiting for a “muse” to show up; it’s about actively engaging with the world and all kinds of different stories.
Try These Things:
* People Watching: Seriously, go sit in a coffee shop, at the airport, or in a park for an hour. Make up backstories for strangers. What’s their big secret? What are they really scared of?
* Soak Up All Kinds of Media: Read stuff that’s not even your usual genre. Watch foreign films. Listen to podcasts about weird historical events. The point isn’t to copy, but to find new ways people tell stories, new character motivations, new themes.
* Play with Prompts (No Pressure!): There are tons of websites with daily writing prompts. Just use them as a low-stakes exercise. Write for 10 minutes, even if it’s completely nonsensical. It’s about getting your writing muscle moving, not creating a masterpiece.
Oh My God, SO MANY Ideas! (The Overwhelm Problem)
On the flip side, some of us have too many ideas, and we just can’t pick one, or we feel overwhelmed by how big a story could become. This is super common with short stories, because every single word counts.
My Takeaway: You need to set clear boundaries and focus in really tight. Think of your short story like a single, highly polished jewel, not a whole necklace.
An Example: You’ve got an idea for a cool character, a mysterious object, and a dystopian future. Instead of trying to cram all that into a sprawling epic, just focus on one specific moment in that character’s life where the mysterious object directly affects them within that dystopian setting.
* Character: An old woman who collects antique clocks.
* Mysterious Object: A grandfather clock that occasionally chimes weirdly and shows flashes of images.
* Dystopian Future: The government strictly controls time.
Instead of writing a huge saga about overthrowing the government, just focus on one single evening when the clock chimes a particularly rebellious image, and the old woman has to make a choice or face a consequence because of that chime. See how much narrower that is?
The Scariest One: Fear of Failure (or Even Success!)
This one’s deep, and it can be the hardest to figure out. It’s that anxiety of writing something awful, or, ironically, being scared of writing something good and then feeling all this pressure to keep up that standard. It can just paralyze you.
My Takeaway: Focus on the journey, not just the finish line. Redefine “success” as just finishing the story, not how many people love it or how perfect it is. And remember, “failure” is just a step in learning.
Think of it Like This: Imagine your story is like a prototype for a new gadget. Your first attempt might blow up, or just not work. That doesn’t mean you’re a failure as an inventor! It just means you learned what doesn’t work. Apply that to your writing. Set small, achievable goals: “Today, I will write 200 words,” or “Today, I’ll describe the character’s living room.” Celebrate those tiny wins, no matter if the words are brilliant or not.
My Secret Weapons: Practical Tricks to Get Unstuck
Okay, once you’ve figured out what kind of block you’re dealing with, you can use some specific strategies. These aren’t quick fixes, but they’re habits that will help you build resilience and get writing consistently.
The Power of a Simple Outline (or Just a “Sketch”)
For short stories, a super rigid, multi-chapter outline might feel like too much. But having some kind of plan in your head is super helpful.
My Takeaway: Build a flexible framework. This could be a basic outline, a “story skeleton,” or even just a character arc map. The goal is just enough structure to guide you without stopping those spontaneous discoveries.
Here’s How:
* The 3-Act Sketch:
* Beginning (Setup): Introduce your character, where they are, and what kicks things off. (Like, “A lonely antique dealer finds a strange, ticking box.”)
* Middle (Rising Action/Conflict): The character faces challenges or tries to understand/solve something related to that kick-off. (Like, “The box attracts weird visitors; it ticks louder; she researches its origins.”)
* End (Climax/Resolution): The main conflict gets resolved; the character usually changes; the story ends with an impact. (Like, “The box opens, revealing not treasure, but a forgotten memory; she decides to embrace or discard it.”)
* The Simplified Snowflake Method (for short stories):
1. Start with one sentence that summarizes your story. (Example: “A grief-stricken astronaut discovers an impossible message from her deceased child on a distant asteroid.”)
2. Expand that to a five-sentence paragraph (setup, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution).
3. Then, expand that paragraph into a whole page.
This structured way of expanding helps you from getting totally lost in details too early.
The “Ugly First Draft” Rule: Embrace the Mess!
I’m gonna say this again because it’s that important. Writer’s block often disappears when you take away the huge pressure of creating a polished masterpiece right off the bat.
My Takeaway: Seriously, aim for mediocrity on your first go. Tell yourself, “This is supposed to be bad. The worse, the better.” This little psychological trick fools that inner perfectionist voice.
Real Talk: Instead of agonizing over the perfect opening line, just write: “Start story here. Something about a guy and a dog. Dog barks. Guy grumbles.” That’s a placeholder. You’ve broken the ice. You can always go back and make it amazing later, or delete it. The goal at this stage is just to move forward, not to write something brilliant.
Timeboxing: Short, Focused Sprints
“Writing a short story” sounds like this huge, never-ending task. But if you break it down into tiny, timed chunks, it’s way less scary.
My Takeaway: Set a timer for a short, focused writing session (like 25 minutes using the Pomodoro Technique). During that time, all you do is write. No internet, no phone, no editing. Just pure output.
What I Do: “For the next 20 minutes, I’m only going to write about what my character sees from their window. It doesn’t have to be good; I just have to keep typing.” That constraint removes the panic of having too many choices and forces you to just act. When the timer goes off, take a break, then do it again. You’ll be amazed at how much you get done.
Scene Cards/Index Cards: Get Your Hands Dirty
Digital tools are great, but sometimes physically touching things can get your brain working differently.
My Takeaway: Use actual index cards to map out your scenes, character traits, or plot points. You can easily move them around and get a visual sense of your story.
How to Use Them:
* Card 1 (Opening): “Character finds strange artifact in dusty attic.”
* Card 2 (Middle 1): “Artifact glows intermittently, disturbing dreams.”
* Card 3 (Middle 2): “Character investigates artifact’s origin, finds old diary.”
* Card 4 (Climax): “Diary reveals artifact’s true purpose/danger.”
* Card 5 (Resolution): “Character makes a difficult choice about the artifact.”
You can easily shuffle these cards, add new ones, or get rid of others. This lets the story form naturally before you even start writing prose.
Change of Scenery: Get a Fresh Look
Where we write really affects how we feel. If your writing space feels boring, your creativity might too.
My Takeaway: Just physically move where you write. Even if it’s just from your desk to the kitchen table, a different room, or a local coffee shop.
Give This a Try: If you’re stuck at your desk, try going to a park with a notebook. The sounds, the fresh air, just seeing something new can spark different ideas and pathways for your story. Sometimes, just moving to a different chair in the same room is enough!
Write “Around” the Block: Just Go Past It!
Sometimes, trying to force words onto that exact spot where you’re stuck is just not going to work.
My Takeaway: If you’re blocked on a certain scene or dialogue, just skip it. Write the scene after it, or write your character’s thoughts, or even just a descriptive section about the setting.
For Example: You know your characters need to have a tense fight, but the dialogue isn’t coming. Instead of staring at a blank screen, write: “They stood in the flickering light of the single bulb, the silence between them thick with unspoken accusations. She gripped the worn edges of the table, knuckles white. He gazed out the window, his back to her, a rigid line of defiance.” You’ve set the mood. You can add the dialogue later when it feels right.
The Dialogue Dump: Let ‘Em Talk!
Dialogue is often a sticky point. Making conversations sound natural can be tough.
My Takeaway: When dialogue isn’t flowing, open a new document or a separate section. Just “interview” your characters. Ask them questions, let them ramble, argue, say what they want. Don’t worry about plot or flow; just let their voices come out.
How I Do It: You need two characters, a cynical detective and a quirky witness, to talk about a strange event. In a separate document, I’d type:
* Detective: “So, you say you saw a unicorn?”
* Witness: “Well, not exactly. More of a shimmer. With hooves. And a very elegant horn.”
* Detective: “Right. And you’d had how many coffees?”
* Witness: “Sir, I do not drink coffee. I drink steeped organic nettle tea, which is known for its clarity.”
This helps you hear their individual voices without the pressure of immediately putting it into the story.
Building a Consistent Writing Habit: Keeping the Flow Going
Beating writer’s block isn’t just about solving temporary problems; it’s about building habits that keep your creativity flowing.
Rituals, Not Rules: Get in the Zone!
Your brain loves routine. Doing the same thing before you write can signal to your mind that it’s time to get creative.
My Takeaway: Create a personal pre-writing ritual that you do every time you sit down to write. It’s not magic; it’s just conditioning your brain.
What You Could Do:
* Make a specific cup of tea or coffee.
* Listen to a particular instrumental music playlist.
* Light a specific candle.
* Do 5 minutes of freewriting about something that’s not your story.
* Straighten up your desk or computer files.
The key is consistency. Over time, your brain will connect these actions with being creative, and it’ll make getting started much easier.
The Artist’s Date (for Short Stories): Intentional Input
You know Julia Cameron’s “Artist’s Way”? The “Artist’s Date” is a dedicated time to feed your inner artist.
My Takeaway: Schedule regular, solo outings (at least once a week!) just to explore something that sparks your curiosity or wonder, without any pressure to turn it directly into a story.
Ideas for You:
* Visit a museum or art gallery.
* Wander through an antique shop or a flea market.
* Go to a botanical garden.
* Explore a new part of your town.
* See a local concert or performance.
The whole point is to fill up your creative tank, remind yourself how cool the world is, and experience things that get your imagination working. It’s not homework; it’s soul food.
Read Like a Writer: Learn from the Best
Reading isn’t just chilling out; it’s active learning. This is especially true for us short story writers because we need to master telling a lot with a little.
My Takeaway: When you read, don’t just follow the plot. Pay attention to how the author does what they do. Take the story apart.
Things to Look For:
* Openings: How does the author grab you in that first paragraph? What questions do they make you ask?
* Character intros: How much info do they give? How do they reveal it? Through talking? Actions? Description?
* Pacing: Where does the story speed up? Slow down? How do they build tension?
* Dialogue: How does the dialogue show character, move the plot, and create conflict all at once?
* Endings: How does the author leave you with a lasting impression? Is it a twist? A quiet realization? A lingering question?
Keep a reading journal and jot down these observations. Doing this actively trains your own writing muscles.
The “Idea Incubator” Log: Catch Every Spark!
Writer’s block can make it feel like ideas just vanish. But if you train yourself to capture them, they become real.
My Takeaway: Keep a dedicated “idea incubator” – a notebook, a digital file, or even a voice recorder – where you capture every random thought, observation, snippet of dialogue, or interesting image that pops into your head.
What to Jot Down:
* “Old man on bus hums classical music, eyes distant.”
* “What if dreams were contagious?”
* “Dialogue: ‘You always did see the world in shades of green.'”
* “Image: A single, glowing dandelion in a desolate landscape.”
* “Prompt: A character discovers they can perfectly imitate any sound.”
These tiny seeds can later grow into full-fledged short stories, giving you a rich pool of options when you next sit down to write.
Embrace the “No Zero Days” Philosophy
Consistency, even tiny bits, is EVERYTHING. This simple rule fights against that all-or-nothing mindset that feeds writer’s block.
My Takeaway: Commit to doing something related to your writing every single day, no matter how small it feels.
On a Busy Day, Your “Something” Could Be:
* Writing one sentence.
* Brainstorming three character names.
* Reading one page of a short story collection.
* Editing one paragraph.
* Thinking about your story for five minutes while you’re doing dishes.
The goal is to keep that momentum and strengthen your identity as a writer. Small, consistent efforts really add up over time.
Your Invisible Allies: Mindset Shifts for Lasting Flow
Beyond just techniques, changing how you think about writing is super important for long-term freedom from writer’s block.
Don’t Focus on the Outcome, Focus on the Process
The biggest enemy of creating anything is getting paralyzed by expectations.
My Takeaway: Focus entirely on the act of writing itself. Celebrate the process, not just the finished story. Your reward is the pure joy of creating.
Try This: Instead of thinking, “I need to write a bestselling short story,” think, “I’m going to spend the next hour exploring the inner life of this character.” The focus shifts from getting external praise to feeling good about what you’re doing right now.
Make Friends with Your Inner Critic (But Don’t Let It Write!)
That nagging voice telling you your writing is terrible? It’s not going away. You just have to learn how to deal with it.
My Takeaway: Acknowledge your inner critic, thank it for its “concerns,” and then firmly tell it its job is later – during the editing phase.
When That Voice Pops Up: When it says, “This paragraph is garbage,” respond internally, “Thanks for that observation. I appreciate your input on quality. Your feedback is valuable for revision, but right now, my job is just to get words on the page. We will revisit this later.” Imagine literally putting a muzzle on it while you’re in your writing zone.
Be Kind to Yourself: Seriously, You Need It!
Writing makes you vulnerable. Being kind to yourself isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity.
My Takeaway: Treat yourself with the same patience and encouragement you’d give to a struggling friend. Remember that creative work has its ups and downs.
If You Have a Bad Day: If you have a particularly rough writing day or week, instead of beating yourself up (“I’m a terrible writer, I’ll never finish this story”), just acknowledge that it was hard (“Today felt hard, and that’s okay. I’ll try again tomorrow, or I’ll try a different approach.”). This gentle approach reduces anxiety and helps you bounce back.
So, What’s the Bottom Line?
Writer’s block isn’t a life sentence, I promise you. It’s just a bunch of problems that can totally be solved. By understanding where it comes from, using these practical strategies, building consistent writing habits, and shifting your mindset, we, as short story writers, can not only get over our current blocks but also build a strong, consistent, and joyful creative practice for every single story we want to tell.
That blank page? It’s no longer mocking you. It’s inviting you in. Go on, step forward. Your stories are waiting.