“The difficulty lies not so much in developing new ideas as in escaping from old ones.” – John Maynard Keynes
Sometimes, getting out of a creative block requires escaping from the gravitational pull of old ideas, other times it might require diving into them to get re-inspired. Below, we’ve shared a variety of perspectives, insights and advice on how to overcome creative blocks.
Tim Tolka
I don’t believe writer’s block is a thing. I’m not trying to insult people who get blocked, but I just refuse to give oxygen to anything that may stymie my creativity and productivity. To me, when a writer gets stuck in a story, it’s most likely a symptom of not having outlined effectively or falling into a quandary in the middle of the story which is where many writers get bogged down and cannot finish. Read more>>
James Wilkerson
Whenever I get a case of creativity block, I return to my college campus for inspiration. College has always held a special place in my heart. I was a place where I really came into my own and for me, there is such a creative energy on campus. Taking walks through the same buildings that captivated me and that I learned so much in years ago, always sparks my creativity. I’ve written some of my best speeches on a stroll through my alma mater. Read more>>
Jacqueline Tempera
This is such a great question, and there is no one answer. I often say that for someone who has literally spent her whole adult life working toward a career in writing…I loathe the process about 90% of the time. Writing and creating can be excruciating! It’s literally creating something out of nothing but an idea in your head. While this is one of the most beautiful things a human can do, that doesn’t make it any easier. Read more>>
Roger Jimenez
As a writer, there are so many times where the biggest obstacle to overcome is lack of inspiration. When it comes to writers block, finding inspiration has been the best way for me to break through the block and let the words flow again. Read more>>
