This is a question I get asked fairly often, so I decided to write a chapter on it instead of having to answer it numerous times. This will also prevent me from mentioning something important in one response and I'll have all of my thoughts in one place!

Writer's block is an obstacle that practically every writer will come across at some point. It's one of the hardest things to overcome and is never fun to experience. Hopefully, these tips will help you if you ever find yourself struggling with a block as well!

1. DON'T FORCE IT.

First thing's first: if you're having a hard time with a particular story (or all of your stories), don't try to force yourself to write. Your work will likely decrease in quality because your brain doesn't want to be doing it or is trying to force ideas to come to life. You won't be writing to the best of your ability and things may come out dry, choppy, and not as detailed as they normally would be.

2. TAKE A BREAK.

Step back from that story (or all of them) and give yourself some space. Don't think about the next chapter you have to write or when you "need" to have said chapter up by. Instead, focus on your other stories for a bit or on something other than writing. Your brain likely needs to be refreshed. Doing something else or getting into another OC's headspace/story's universe may help get those creative juices flowing again!

3. GET INSPIRATION.

Pinterest and Weheartit are my weaknesses. You can catch me going on one (or both) of them at least once a week (or once a day if I'm really bad). I have boards for all of my stories and their characters/dynamics. I like to scroll through a fanfic's board/section before I write for the story to get into the "mood" of the book or character. Doing this can make you feel like you're being productive with your stories even if you're not writing! Things on Pinterest/Weheartit may even inspire you enough to start writing for the story again. For example, a certain image may give you an idea for a scene!

4. DON'T BEAT YOURSELF UP.

You are not a bad writer for struggling. You're not a bad author for taking a while to publish an update. If people start getting impatient and nagging you, that's their problem. Being hard on yourself can ultimately make things worse and make you even more uninspired than you already were.

5. MAKE AN OUTLINE OF THE BOOK.

One thing I've done for YEARS (literally since I was still writing Different in 2014) is keep ideas in the Notes app on my phone. You can do this anywhere, but I prefer to keep them on my phone because I always have it with me and sometimes I get struck with an idea at the grocery store or something and want to write it down before I forget. I keep a list of ideas for backstories, character details, plot elements, scenes, etc in chronological order so I can find them as I write and incorporate them into the book. Doing this also makes me feel less stressed because I don't feel as if I'm starting with nothing. It also motivates me to write if I'm excited to include a particular scene in the future and want to get to it faster!

If you're writing for a TV show, try to have at least one idea per episode. If it's a book, one idea per chapter (or scene if it spans across multiple chapters). Movie? Aim for ideas for important scenes and fill in from there.

If you're wary of putting these on your phone because you don't want someone to find them, have no fear! If you have an iPhone, you can tap the arrow in the top left corner that says "Folders." The default one says "Notes", but I added separate folders for Wattpad such as "Character Charts," "Stories," and "Writing." It's highly unlikely that someone will press the Folders button and go snooping. There are also other notes apps or diary-like apps that you can secure with a password if you don't trust the Notes one!

(If there are any Android users who can say if their phone has a similar folders option on their phone, feel free to comment!)

6. TRY TO WRITE SOMETHING YOU WANT TO INCLUDE IN A CHAPTER.

Don't have an idea for a particular scene? That's okay! Try to read/watch the part you're on if it's in the canon of your universe. Get a gist of what happens and come up with at least something for your character(s) to be doing or thinking. This way, you'll feel less like you're at ground zero. If it's not a canon scene, think about what needs to happen with your character(s) or plot in order to bridge the gaps between other important plotlines. Do certain characters need to spend more time together before the Big Moment you've been planning since the beginning? Think of scenes for them. Does your main OC need more development between episodes? Start from there!

7. FEEL FREE TO DRAFT THE STORY.

If you're really struggling, remember that it's okay to draft the story. That way the responsibility of updates will feel less constricting! This will make it easier to make any changes, which leads me to my next point...

8. CONSIDER IF YOU NEED TO CHANGE SOMETHING.

If you're still having a hard time, start thinking if there's something you need to change in the narrative. Whether it's a character's personality that just isn't working, a part of their backstory you can't work around, or something else, switching things around or adding things in can make all the difference in the world! Try reviewing your work and see if there's an aspect that stands out to you. Then you can change it around!

These are all of the points I can think of, and I hope they'll help you! Good luck defeating writer's block– I believe in you :)