Tips and Tricks for Getting Past Writer’s Block—Brandon Sanderson

Here is the second, in our ongoing series, of questions I get asked a ton. Today, I answer the question—in depth—about what I do when facing Writer's Block and give some tips and tricks that may help you.

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[mjshorty]

"I'm an artist with a work ethic of an accountant" Name a scarier combination for a villian.

[DrewMalou]

Brandon: I write at the slow and steady pace of 2k words a day.
Me: *Sweats in existential dread*

[masonwheeler]

I was one of the people who asked Brandon this frequently-asked question, at a signing session about 6 years ago. He gave a different answer there than he's giving here: "have ninjas attack."
Write a scene where something crazy happens out of nowhere, and see how the characters react. Even if that's totally not how the story will actually continue, it will end up getting your creative juices flowing again.

[megcgck]

this format is much better than a scripted one imo. feels more personal

[couchpotatoe]

Asking Brandon how to overcome writer's block is like asking the ocean how to stay wet.

[slayerdg]

This is kinda similar advice that I would give as a software developer as well. If you try and write perfect code the first time you'll never get anything completed. Much better to get something working and then figure out how to make it better later!

[erythrocebuspatas]

I have been writing every day for a year now. Here is what has been working for me (after 10 years of not writing and agonising about it):
a) Make it pleasurable - if you were reading this book, what would you like to happen next? What would be fun to YOU?
b) Plan ahead - It is much easier to start with blank page when you know (even roughly) what will be happening in the beginning, middle and end. Know your characters, your plot and your setting. Knowing the structure is also very helpful for me.
c) Have a routine. Plan the time for writing (even 10 minutes every day). Do not allow it to be when you are tired. Do not despair if you miss a day.
d) Have a writing spot.
e) Focus (or limit distractions) - Let the images, sounds, smells run through your head. Be "there", not "here".
f) Do not allow for writing to become a pain as this may create negative associations and you will start to feel that way all the time. Better to write 5 words and be proud than 2000 and loathe the process.
g) Do not wait for an inspiration. It comes and goes and you have to learn to write without it if you want to finish anything. Your work will not be as bad as you think. And even if it is, this is still progress.
h) Turn off the critic. This is creation phase. Time for being critical will come and it is not now.
i) The problem for many of us is that we feel we must write but we do not want to do it. Think about what you need to do (phisically or mentally) to start wanting to write. You will be doing this for many many hours, alone, often only with a sliver of hope for being published. It better not worsen you everyday mental state (this ties into points a and f).
j) Think long term. You are doing this to see results in distant future. In what state of mind do you need to be to run a marathon?
k) Do not think too much about writing beforehand. It feels like something is hanging over you which raises anxiety.
l) First 5 minutes (so sitting down itself included) is the worst. Once you get past that, it gets much easier because it is often enough to go into focused mode.

There are many many advices on the internet and you probably tried most of them. The above is my concotion and part of the process of becoming productive is figuring these out for yourself.

My primary language is not English. :)

[OlettaLiano]

Don't be afraid to write a bad book. You can rewrite it. But, you can't edit a one full of empty pages.

[xan]

I've always heard the first part of that advice: "just write, even if it's bad", but for whatever reason I never heard or figured out the "then come back to it later and give it another look" part, even though that makes perfect sense to me. In hindsight, it feels incredibly obvious.
Regardless, thank you for completing the advice for me; that completely changes how I look at the idea "just write".

[rustyellisauthor]

“...I am an artist that has the work ethic of an accountant...” Sounds like the premise of yet another series. Genius!

[joyeeverett]

I rarely get writer’s block, but it’s usually due to three possible reasons:
1. I’m just burned out and need to rest
2. My story took a wrong turn and I need to re-outline and backtrack
3. I haven’t explored an idea, conflict, or character enough to want to write about them.

Once I eliminate these three reasons, I’m basically unstoppable as long as I rest every so often. I also usually write 2K words a day. 😅

[yohei]

Something that often works for me when I'm blocked is to go outside and get physical exercise: a run, a brisk walk, a bike ride. Something about it - maybe the endorphins, or the change of scenery, or both - can get creative juices flowing. I find my brain making connections it didn't before and I *sometimes* come back with a scene in my head ready to put down on paper.

One of my favorite things about Brandon’s advice is that it applies to any form of art . I’m not a writer, I’m a musician, and this is basically the approach I take with my music. I love taking his writing advice and applying it to my composing and music writing 💜

[YondaMoegi]

Tbh your plotting method where you plot the plots separately from each other helped a lot. I freed a lot of RAM in my brain and tackled the problems one at a time, which in turn helped me to stop freezing in fear. Thank you

[nightbreed]

Thanks for this. I've found that one of the ways to get past writers block sometimes is to literally push your way through it. Sometimes, you got to force yourself.

[hugoscribes]

Haven't done any actual writing (except for outlining) for the past 2 months, and at the exact hour I sit down to start again this video is uploaded. Fantastic timing!! Awesome video we are all very thankful!

[TheEccentricRaven]

I like how he points you have figure out what works best for you. I think many new writers make the mistake of thinking there’s a one size fits all formula for all writers.

[someoneelse]

Wait... did Brandon just describe his writing pace as " *_SLOW_* and steady?"

[haydenfleming]

This might be a video we can send to George R.R Martin and Patrick Rothfuss haha

[renlovell]

Me, gets writer's block, sighs and decides to check YouTube
Sanderson: haha YouTube go brrr