I don’t know about you, but for me, 2023 came roaring in! With so much going on, I almost missed the slew of emails, social media posts, and corporate ads pushing me to improve myself.
Almost.
The irony is that, while I was scrolling as quickly as possible past Instagram’s ads for weight loss programs and online therapy, I was doing what I always do—trying to stay connected with my true purpose.
I know a lot of you are right there with me because my calendar has been packed with consults. In the twelve short days of this year, I’ve already spoken with eight amazing authors who hope to make 2023 the year they finally finish their book!
But maybe you’re not quite ready to bring us on for support. Maybe you just need a little nudge to set yourself up for success in this new year.
So to kick off your year right, I wanted to share a few of my favorite tips to break through writer’s block and get words on the page.
Timed Writing
Set a timer for twenty minutes and start typing. Even if all you can think to write is, “what a silly exercise, I can’t believe I’m doing this,” you’ll get your fingers moving. I’m always surprised at what comes out of this exercise, even when I don’t feel like writing.
No Peeking
Tape a piece of paper over your monitor to keep yourself from editing. If you struggle with going back over your work before you’ve even finished a section, physically covering up the screen can keep that self-editing urge in check.
Phone a Friend
Choose a topic or scene and explain it to a friend. Bonus: have them record your conversation. This tip is absolute gold for those of us who get stuck in our own heads. Tell your friend to ask follow-up questions if they don’t know what you’re talking about. It’ll help you reconnect with the root of the issue you want to write about.
TK It
Write the easy stuff first. There’s an old editor’s trick that involves the letters “tk.” Since these two letters rarely appear next to each other in English, typing “tk” allows you to quickly ctrl-f to find your place back. Any time you’re not sure what to say, type “tk,” then keep going. When you’re done, make a list of all the things you need to fill in your “tk”s, and check them off, one by one.
Go Analog
Go old school. None of us like to write by hand, but something magical happens when we do. Science tells us that writing by hand triggers a different part of our brain than typing. If your screen’s got you blocked, switch to a legal pad, spiral notebook, or pretty new journal (if you love stationary—and don’t we all??).
Remember Why You Write
Reconnect with your purpose. In my experience, this is hands down the best way to get your project unstuck, especially for nonfiction writers. We often lose sight of why we wanted to write in the first place. Rediscovering our passion can help us move the cursor forward. In fact, we love this tip so much, we offer a free guide to help walk you through the process.
Call in the Pros
Last but certainly not least, consider hiring a coach. A good writing coach will listen to your needs and preferences and help you develop techniques that work for you. You’ll come away with an inventory of new tricks so you can unstick yourself next time writer’s block rears its ugly head!
I love the energy of a new year, but I don’t need to buy a new calendar to recommit to learning and growing. All year long, I try to keep my heart open to opportunities to meet new people, discover new passions, and, yes, read all the books.
Some people might call those resolutions. And, in truth, I do, too–it’s a relatable shorthand. But I find that my energy for growth ebbs and flows throughout the year. Some Januaries, I just don’t have it in me to try something new. Other years, I hit the ground running.
If you’re ready to recommit to your book, we’d love to hear from you. Schedule a free consult today so we can talk about how a writing coach or ghostwriter can help you hit your goals in the new year.
