Stuck on Your Book? Get a Fresh Perspective

Every writer gets stuck.

Maybe you can't figure out how to move a scene forward. Maybe a chapter isn't coming together the way you imagined. Or maybe you've been staring at the same few paragraphs for days and can't figure out what's missing.

When you're too close to your own writing, it can be difficult to see a way forward. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is step away from the page and talk it through with someone else.

In this week's Wednesday Writer Tip, we're sharing one simple way to work through writer's block: talk to a friend and get a fresh perspective.

Watch the Wednesday Writing Tip Video

Talk It Out

When you're stuck, find someone you trust and explain what's giving you trouble.

You don't necessarily need another writer or someone who has experience writing books. Sometimes, simply explaining the problem out loud can help you see it differently.

Tell them about the scene you're working on. Explain what you want to happen, where the story is supposed to go, or what you're struggling to make work. As you talk through the situation, you may discover something you hadn't noticed before.

And your friend may have questions or ideas that lead you in a new direction.

A Different Perspective Can Help

As the writer, you know your characters, story, and ideas better than anyone. That can be a strength, but it can also make it harder to recognize when you're overlooking another possibility.

Someone outside of the story may approach the situation differently.

They might ask, "What if this happened instead?"

Or they might point out something about a character that you hadn't considered.

You don't have to use every suggestion you receive. The goal isn't to let someone else write your story. It's to give yourself another perspective to consider.

Sometimes, one simple question can be enough to get your creativity moving again.

Don't Be Afraid to Step Away From the Page

Writer's block doesn't always mean you need to try harder.

Sometimes, staring at the same sentence or scene for another hour isn't going to solve the problem. Giving yourself permission to step away can create the mental space you need to come back with a fresh perspective.

Talking with a friend can be a simple way to do that without completely disconnecting from your story.

You may even find that once you've explained the problem out loud, you already know how you want to solve it.

Keep Moving Forward

Getting stuck is a normal part of writing a book. It doesn't mean you've lost your creativity or that your story isn't working.

When you find yourself unable to move forward, try talking through the problem with someone you trust. Explain the scene, chapter, or idea that's giving you trouble and see what they think.

A fresh perspective might be exactly what you need to find your next step.

Sometimes, getting unstuck starts with simply talking it out.