We are not staring at blank pages. We are writing! We overcame writer’s block.
Or, so we think.
One strategy for helping with writer’s block is writing. It doesn’t matter if it’s coherent or organized. It’s unimportant if the grammar is correct. The point is, we are writing.
But, this brings up a different struggle for us.
We are writing our book or article. We’ve got a good groove. But, we feel like we are saying nothing.
That sentence we wrote, was it impactful? Did we say it in another way earlier on? Are we saying anything at all, or spewing out repeated phrases?
I regard this struggle as different from routine writer’s block. Yes, technically it is writer’s block, but it feels different to me. With writer’s block, I’m frozen in time. Staring at a blank screen with no motivation in sight.
With this, I am writing. I’m working on what I need to do, but I’m talking in circles. I’ll be half way through an article and think that I didn’t say anything worthwhile.
It ends up with me going back through and re-reading. Then cutting out around half the article because it was me repeating myself.
Feeling as if you are saying nothing with your writing is a specific type of creative block. And I’ve narrowed it down to being about inspiration.
Or lack thereof.
Knowing what causes the feeling of saying nothing with our writing is all well and good. But what can we do about it?
Re-Read Things You’ve Written
When we are in the middle of writing and realize that we’ve been saying nothing, we question our abilities. We regard ourselves as adept writers. We have things worth saying. And unique ways of saying it.
But, when we write something that says nothing, we doubt ourselves. We wonder if we are even good enough. If we are as successful at writing as we think.
Well, we are.
Granted, that sentiment isn’t strong coming from me. So, make sure you believe it, yourself.
Take a look at things you’ve written before. Read through them. Use these as a reminder for yourself.
Old work is proof to yourself. It’s proof that you are adept at what you do. You know what you are doing. And you do have a worthwhile voice.
When we doubt our abilities, re-reading things we’ve written reminds us of our skills. This strategy has aided me immensely. Re-reading stuff I’ve written re-sparks my passion for writing. It disproves the doubtful thoughts I have about my own skills.
Listen to Others
When stuck, listening to others offers insight into the world around us. It grants us new ideas and perspectives. Plus, it exercises our creativity.
It also provides you with writing ideas. Though, that isn’t the concern we are tackling right now.
Listening to others is simple, as well. Starting a conversation with a stranger is unnecessary. Instead, listen. When you are at the grocery store, or at a restaurant, pay attention to what others are saying.
Essentially, eavesdrop.
But not with the goal of being nosy. With the goal of overhearing an interesting phrasing. Or hearing a new perspective on a topic that you hadn’t thought about.
Find Your Creative Space
Having a dedicated work area is essential for productivity and time management.
But in the event that you feel you are saying nothing as you write, switch things up. Enjoy a change of scenery. Take your laptop to the park. Visit a coffee shop and work there for a bit.
Find a spot that fuels your creativity. Whenever you get the sense that your writing is not saying anything, go to your creative spot. Let it work its magic for you.
This strategy helped me quite often. I worked at home for several years. Having my apartment be my only scenery grew dreary.
Instead I went to a Starbucks near my apartment. I was there daily during the work week. It got my creativity flowing again. My apartment was too distracting. I viewed it as too negative of a space and wasn’t writing. I changed my scenery for as long as I needed.
Now, working at my apartment doesn’t create as many issues for me. And whenever I feel I’m saying nothing, I change up my scenery a bit.
Do an Outline
Sometimes the issue with writing isn’t thinking of an idea. We have plenty of ideas.
The issue is organizing those ideas. This is where an outline comes into play.
Take one of your ideas. Outline it into a story or article. Move onto the next idea and do the same. Soon, your ideas won’t be floating around in your head. Instead, you’ll have them organized on paper. And you’ll have an easier time writing those ideas out.
Doing outlines is a suggestion for when you feel you aren’t saying anything when you write. I don’t outline my articles often. I did it with this article so my thoughts were in order. But most of the articles on my site weren’t outlined.
Try People-Watching
Staring at a computer screen all day is boring. Even staring at a screen for part of the day. With smartphones occupying much of our time, looking at a screen for long periods of time isn’t an issue for some.
For me, it is. And for anyone else sharing my mindset, it hinders our creativity.
Take a break and look at something else for a change. Go outside, find somewhere to sit, and watch the people around you. Observe what they are doing and where they are going. Don’t follow them, obviously. Just observe.
People-watching exercises your brain while distracting you from writing. Plus, it provides you with extra ideas. Consider the people as characters. And evaluate what their motivation likely is.
Talk to Other Writers About Saying Nothing
When you are struggling with something, talk to someone who shares your experience. They give amazing advice. Because they have personal experience.
This is the case with writing. When you are saying nothing, talk to other writers. Most likely, they’ve experienced the same feeling. They have gone through moments when they felt as if their writing was saying nothing.
Due to their own experiences, they have personal advice about what worked for them. Listen to them. Consider their advice and employ it in your own struggle.
Don’t ever feel shameful about your experiences. Share with others who you trust. And share with those who are familiar with where you are dealing with.
Also, consider joining a writer’s group. This is important if you don’t know any other writers. Having a group holds you accountable. It also gives you a valuable source of motivators when you need them.
Take a Walk
Focusing on your problem of saying nothing when you write isn’t the most effective. Sometimes, we need a break.
When you find yourself struggling with saying something, take a break from writing. Get out of the house and go for a walk. Don’t worry about writing. Don’t worry about your challenge. Walk and enjoy the fresh air.
This physical movement gets your mind moving, as well. As you walk, you’ll likely find your inspiration. Suddenly, waiting to get home is your challenge. Writing becomes a breeze.
Saying Something With Your Writing
There are a lot of things worth trying when you feel you’re saying nothing as you write. The reason there are so many options is because it’s a personal situation.
We feel as if we are saying nothing for different reasons. It’s natural that the best solutions we find are also personal.
Many of the above tips have worked wonders for me. But that doesn’t mean they will for you.
Try multiple possible solutions. Don’t try a couple and give up. Work towards finding the best solution for you.