By Tammy Karasek @tickledpinktam

Writer’s Block has been mentioned a lot of late. It’s a thing. It’s not a thing. Well, is it a thing or not? Seems to me since so many folks are writing about it, it must be a thing, right?

I believe it is, because I’ve obviously caught it. Like a cold virus, this thing has enveloped me into a suffocating paralysis unable to breathe because of its squeeze. The more I think about my lack of word count done, the more I stress and the tighter the squeeze. One would think with winter and staying home, there would have been plenty of time to get writing completed. Apparently, I’m not the only writer dealing with this topic due to other writer’s who’ve shared their angst about their lack of ability to sit down and produce words.

I determined I needed to figure out the reason for my writer’s block and noticed several points:

• Most of my writer’s block is me blocking the act of writing.
• I haven’t placed a priority on writing and written it in that new 2025 planner.
• I haven’t given myself deadlines or goals to reach.
• I’ve let things—anything—grab my attention when I should be … “hey look, squirrel”.
• I’ve picked up another virus, besides the writer’s block, of I’ll do it tomorrow-

Once I saw what kept me from actual writing time, I decided to make a plan of attack. I came up with some ideas to help with that block. Here they are:

• I realized that without my normal routine, it became easier to put off until tomorrow that which I should get done today. Common sense, right? But I wasn’t partaking in that bit of wisdom. It’s time to now.
• No matter how hard I try not to, my brain decides to go on rapid fire as it barely hits the pillow. Rather than fight it, I use it to my advantage. Before I set my phone down on my night stand, I scroll through my notes app and read the list of important things to do I’ve written in the notes. I delete completed items and of course add more. You know, cross off two, add five new. Sigh …

• Since I sit down daily to my computer in the morning, I pull up those notes on my phone and open my planner on my desk before I start anything else. I add the new items from my phone into the planner. It’s the repetition of writing it a couple times—last night and now again this morning that glues the tasks into my mind. Next, I look over the day’s items to be done, plan for them and off I go.
• On the opposite part of my work day, before I turn off the computer and leave my office, I add notes to the planner for tomorrow which appeared throughout the day while I’ve worked. I leave myself helpful tips of where I left my VA jobs, Launch Team tasks and where my personal writing stopped for the day. Reminders of calls to make, letters to send, etc.
• The next day, when I hit a writing block, I’m able to look at the planner and turn the focus back before the block appears. But if it does, I keep a post-it-note that moves from week to week of house projects—big and small after just moving—I’d love to get finished and unclutter my mind of just in case. If I’m at a total block, I’ll pick one off the list and head off to the project. Often the physical work causes my mental work to start movement. Soon, I’m eager to return to the keyboard to get those words down.
• I’ve become better at using my phone for voice notes when I think of scenes or great blog post ideas when I’m out of the house and away from my keyboard. I’ve even become good at the transfer of said notes to my planner when I return home—wink!

I’m still a work in progress with writer’s block. I have to confess, I’m still the blockhead that is the culprit in the writer’s block itself. But I’m also doing my best to learn to give grace where it’s necessary. Always quick to offer grace to another, not so good at giving the same to myself, but working on it.

If you’ve been struggling to write, might I suggest you try something different than your usual writing routine? My idea of the phone is one of the ways I’m trying to change it up for myself. Those random thoughts when you’re not at a keyboard or with pen and paper in hand.

Or speaking of pen and paper, maybe you could try writing your ideas/scenes out in longhand sitting in your car in a grocery store parking lot. It’s not quite a coffee shop, but people-watching often triggers ideas to use in your writing pieces.

What about you? Have you hit a writing roadblock of late? What are some tips you’d add to the list above. Do tell, I’m aware a writing block could be just around the corner for any of us.

Tammy Karasek uses humor and wit to bring joy and hope to every aspect in life. Her past, filled with bullying and criticism from family, drives her passion to encourage and inspire others and show them The Reason to smile. She’s gone from down and defeated to living a “Tickled Pink” life as she believes there’s always a giggle wanting to come out!

She’s a writer of Romantic Suspense—with a splash of sass. Her debut book, Launch That Book, released in November 2023. She’s published in a Divine Moments Compilation Book—Cool-inary Moments. Also, she’s a writing team member for The Write Conversation, The Write Editing, Blue Ridge Conference Blog, and more.

Known as The Launch Team Geek, she helps authors launch their books. You’ll also find her as a Virtual Assistant for several best-selling authors, the Social Media Manager for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, Founding President of ACFW Upstate SC, and Founding President of Word Weavers Upstate SC. Connect with Tammy at https://www.tammykarasek.com.