5 Culprits of Writer’s Block and Hacks to Power Through It

There’s got to be some sabotaging culprits that try to disqualify a writer from finishing the job—we call it “writer’s block.” Let’s talk about five of them in this blog. 

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Limiting Beliefs and Visions

What one believes in either makes or kills a worthy endeavour. Writing is an interagency collaboration of experiences, beliefs, and intellectual inputs. Together, these things critically form a vision that can significantly impact a writer’s performance. When these are contaminated with negative thinking, the result can be more than frustrating. It will cause the writer to delay an assignment or, worse, fully abandon a work.  

One limiting belief is confessing that, indeed, you’re experiencing writer’s block. A counterintuitive piece of advice from some renowned writers, like Maya Angelou, is to not believe in the concept of writer’s block. Trick yourself into thinking that it might just be an illusion. Angelou believed in the power of words, and she refused to name the moments when she felt stuck as “writer’s block” because her mind might just start to believe in it and manifest it. Instead, she would just keep writing, even when all she had to do was write boring sentences.

Digital Overstimulation

The constant exposure to digital devices and various web content can overwhelm the mind, leading to information overload. And while writing can help defuse those mental loads, it can also be very much affected by digital stimulation. 

How many times have you stared at the blank page and asked yourself: How do I start writing all the things I just consumed? When your attention has just been pulled in a thousand directions, it can be very challenging to narrow it down and focus. 

Take quality time to set aside your gadgets. Do something offline, like watering the plants, going for a walk, showering, or simply being quiet and letting the thoughts flow without judgment. Later on, you will find that your imagination starts to clear its way again. 

Burnout

Mitch Albom has this to say for younger writers: “Don’t quit when it’s going badly. Quit when it’s going well. That way, you want to get up tomorrow and do it again.” Ernest Hemingway shared the same thoughts. Exhausting all ideas in one sitting can be a recipe for burnout. 

But sometimes, you’re not just being blocked from writing. You’re being invited to rest. Writer’s block can be a writer’s burnout in disguise. So listen to your body, and take some moments to just sit through the discomfort and tiredness. Sleep if you must. Turn off the cacophony of swirling thoughts. Reset your writing muscle. That can be the most productive thing you can do. 

Undealt Emotions 

Writing is such a noble act of heroism. That’s why, even before an author approaches their desk, a deluge of doubts, insecurities, and fear may try to hinder them from hitting the keyboard or scribbling with a pen on the paper. Call it spiritual or science, but it’s because anything written becomes a prophecy foretold and manifested. It’s so easy to partner with these negativities and thereby sabotage oneself from fulfilling the call to write. 

When you find yourself wrestling with the negativities, try to self-examine and identify the emotions and attitudes that may have been hindering you from writing. You can sit with them and process the feelings, and when you’re ready, sternly renounce them and go about your business. 

Perfectionism

For the most part, it’s not writer’s block; it’s perfectionism. It’s good to have a blueprint to guide you in your writing. But allow it to be flexible, and be open to the real-time direction of your creative muse. Remember that writing is one act; rewriting and editing are another. So just throw it all in, the sentences and words, flawed and all. You can always go back to refine your craft. 

Remember, the world needs your message. Don’t allow writer’s block to fully hinder you from fulfilling your calling. The Manuscript Editor is here to help you polish your drafts, so you can focus on crafting those untold stories. Send your manuscript to us for a complimentary 800-word sample edit today. 

Sources:

• A Conversation with Mitch Albom - Writer's Symposium by the Sea 2025

• How to Find Your Passion and Purpose for Writing with Maya Angelou as Your Guide