Overcoming Writing Blocks: What to Do When the Words Just Won’t Come

There’s a moment every writer knows all too well. The cursor blinks at you, the page is blank, and the brilliant book idea that once lit you up? Suddenly, it feels distant. Foggy. Maybe even impossible.

If you’re in that moment right now, we want you to know—this doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It doesn’t mean you’re not a writer. And it certainly doesn’t mean your story isn’t worth telling.

It simply means you’re in the thick of the process.

Let us say this right off the bat—if you’ve hit a wall with your writing, if your story feels stuck somewhere between your head and the page, if you’ve opened and closed that Word document a hundred times this week (maybe even today), you’re not alone.

Not only are you not alone, but you are also, believe it or not, exactly where you’re meant to be.

Yes, even in the messy middle. Even in the silence. Even when the words aren’t flowing.

We know it doesn’t feel magical right now—but what if we told you that this block, this frustrating pause, is part of your creative rhythm?

Let’s dive into what writing blocks are really trying to tell us, and how we can move through them with more ease, trust, and creativity.

The Illusion of Constant Flow

When we think about writing a book, we often picture the highlight reel: cozy writing nooks, cups of coffee, inspiration striking like lightning, and fingers flying across the keyboard.

But here’s the truth no one talks about enough: writing a book is hard.

It’s beautiful, sacred work—but it’s also deeply confronting. You’re not just stringing together words—you’re pouring out parts of yourself. And that kind of vulnerability? It stirs up resistance.

You’re putting your voice into the world. That takes courage. That takes energy. That takes more than motivation—it takes intention.

So when the writing stalls, don’t immediately jump into self-blame. Don’t ask, “What’s wrong with me?” Instead ask:

“What’s coming up for me?” “What am I afraid to say right now?” “What needs gentleness before it can become bold?”

Your Block Isn’t the End. It’s a Signal

Let’s reframe this. A writing block isn’t the end of your creative flow—it’s a signal.

Sometimes it’s telling you that you’re tired and need rest. Sometimes it’s asking you to go deeper into your truth. Sometimes it’s simply reminding you to take a breath and stop trying so hard.

We live in a world that celebrates hustle, deadlines, and quick results. But writing? Real, soul-led writing? It doesn’t live on a productivity chart.

It lives in pauses. In quiet reflections. In moments when we step away to feel, to remember, to come back stronger.

So give yourself permission to pause without guilt. That pause might just be where your next breakthrough is waiting.

Let’s Get Practical Too

Okay, soulful pep talk aside, let’s get into some things you can actually do when you’re staring at a blank screen and thinking of tossing your laptop out the window. (Please don’t. Laptops are expensive.)

1. Write Badly. Gloriously, Imperfectly Badly.

Let your first draft be an unfiltered mess. Seriously. No fancy sentences. No perfect dialogue. Just write whatever comes—even if it sounds silly or fragmented. The goal is not to write well. The goal is to write. Editing comes later. Right now, you’re just showing up.

Think of it like talking to a friend. You don’t rehearse every sentence—you just speak from the heart. Let your writing be that honest.

2. Change the Format

Try writing by hand. Or speak into a voice recorder. Or use sticky notes, mind maps, bullet points. Sometimes the traditional “sit down and type” method just doesn’t work for a particular season. Find your rhythm—your way.

3. Revisit Your ‘Why’

Go back to the heart of your book. Why are you writing it? Who is it for? What transformation do you want your reader to experience?

Let your why guide your next word. Let your purpose carry you when motivation doesn’t.

4. Create a Ritual, Not a Routine

Forget rigid schedules. Instead, create a gentle ritual around your writing time. Light a candle. Brew your favorite tea. Sit in your favorite corner. Even five minutes of ritual can shift your energy from pressure to presence.

Writing becomes easier when your space and spirit feel safe.

5. Talk It Out

Yes, literally. Talk to a friend about your block. Speak your story out loud. Or DM someone in your creative circle. Sometimes saying it is the first step toward writing it.

What We Want You to Know

If you’re stuck right now, let me remind you: you are not broken. Your creativity is not gone. Your story is not over.

This block? It’s a part of the story. It’s a chapter that will one day become a powerful paragraph in your book’s origin story—the one you’ll tell at book signings, on podcasts, to women who come after you.

Don’t rush through it. Don’t shame yourself for it. Just keep showing up. Gently, consistently, intentionally.

You were never meant to write alone. And here at Uplyft Media, we’re walking this path with you.

So take a breath. Take a step. And write the next word.

We’ll be right here, cheering you on—every beautifully imperfect sentence at a time.