11 Fixes When The Words Won’t Flow

As a writer, sometimes writing a scene is no effort at all and everything comes together. From the dialogue to the action to the pacing, the vision is clear. But sometimes? Scenes are harder to write.

There are tons of techniques, but here are the things I like to try when the words won’t flow.

1. Writing Sprints

Sometimes, having a short, focused window — whether or not you’re competing with other writers — can help you push through your distractions and get words out.

2. Free writing

If the story isn’t going where you want it to, take a break and try writing something else! Maybe a stream-of-consciousness from one of the character’s points of view, a poem, or a world-building myth. Sometimes, just writing about your day or trying a writing exercise can warm up your writer-brain and let the words flow.

3. Take a shower/walk/etc

There’s a reason “Shower Thoughts” are a thing. Getting away from the pressure to put the words on paper and just think through the next scene or the character’s motivations can be just the thing.

4. Switch up how you write

If you’re a typist, try handwriting, or dictation. Sometimes switching up how you write can free the words.

5. Find a new environment

If working from your couch is too distracting, try a library, or a coffeeshop. Try switching up where you’re sitting, or what music you’re listening to. Breaking out of a routine can freshen up your writing.

6. Evaluate the story you’re writing

Sometimes, when the words are fighting us, it’s because we’re trying to tell the wrong story. It could be a switch from 1st person point-of-view to third, it could be switching up who the point-of-view character is, it could be that the story is going in the wrong direction.

Take a little time and think about where the story is going and what the story needs.

7. Talk it out

In software engineering, there’s a concept of “rubberducking” — in which you explain your problem to an actual rubber duck, (or a coworker) and in the process of explaining the problem, you often stumble across the solution yourself.

Find a friend — or a rubber duck, or a cat — and use them as a sounding board! Sometimes, they’ll have suggestions and feedback, and sometimes they won’t, but just talking out the issues you’re having can be super productive.

8. Think: What would George R.R. Martin do?

No, not that. Well, yes. He’d probably kill someone, too. But, first, he’d have a meal.

When was the last time your characters slept? Or ate? Make sure they’re only doing trials of endurance on purpose!

9. Add an iguana

As a friend of mine is always suggesting: the iguana-lobby is cruelly underserved, and more stories should include iguanas.

But, do think about adding an unexpected element. A pet for the character to love (and talk to), or a magpie that has decided their hair is the enemy. Let nature do something.

10. Write out of order

Perhaps the scene you’re trying to write doesn’t excite you, or you don’t have a clear image of how it plays out. While it doesn’t work for me, no one is making you write the story in order! You don’t need it, but you have permission to skip ahead to scenes that excite you.

11. Grab a snack

I often try to eat healthy, and cut back on my snacking, but drafting isn’t when I can do that successfully. I’ve found that, if the words just aren’t flowing today, grabbing a snack often fixes the problem.

I’ve had to acknowledge that I’m a snack-fueled writer.

When you find what fuels your writing, don’t fight it.

Conclusion

As with all writing advice, use what works for you, and just because one technique worked this time, doesn’t mean it’ll work again. Having all of these options in your back pocket can be handy. And best of luck with your projects!

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What have you tried when your words aren’t flowing?
What’s worked and what hasn’t worked?