What's a Writer to Do When We Run Out of Ideas

by Larry J. Leech II @LarryJLeechII

Blink. Blink. Blink.

Oh, that cursor. That stupid cursor. Mocking me. In the top left-hand corner of a blank Word doc.

Blank. Like my mind. On a day that I need to write.

Being a full-time freelancer for more than twenty years, my motto has been: “If I don’t work, I don’t get paid.”

With a blank mind, producing words can be difficult.

Blink. Blink. Blink.

If those blinks included a sound, I’m sure they would be loud. Very loud. Like an ’80s metal concert. 

Those I enjoyed. The blinking cursor—not so much.

After five minutes or so, I might want to throw my hands up and scream, “I got nothing!” Or roll away from the desk, grinding my teeth and mumbling, “I give up.”

A blank mind can be one of the most frustrating experiences for a writer. We’re supposed to be full of ideas and the words flow so freely that we can’t type fast enough to keep up. 

Until the mind goes blank.

Irritating.

Mind-numbing.

Frustrating. 

But easy to overcome.

Even I chuckled at that. But it’s true. 

To overcome these ‘blank’ moments, I have discovered a few things that help me get my mind in gear. 

3 Tips to Help Writers to Overcome a Blank Mind

• Option one: I just babble on the page. Doesn’t matter what I write, I just write. Sometimes about my feelings, other times about golf or Stars Wars. When I do this, my mind eventually wanders over to what I ‘need’ to write about that day. I don’t have a set number of words or time to jump into writing, just whatever it takes. 

• Option two: I type in the file a prayer that centers on my struggle and ask the Lord to help me. Livin’ on a prayer, for real. I admit that I am helpless, and I can’t write without Him. Then I ask, sometimes beg, for Him to give me the words for the day.

• Option three: I learned that a brainstorming session with someone kickstarts my mind. Doesn’t even have to be another writer. My wife and son always offer great insight to a story idea or message. Their words and encouragement help me stop going round and round, and words start flowing from my brain into the computer. 

With these three things in my arsenal, you’d think that I’d never have to deal with a blank mind. 

But I do. 

Until I remember to utilize one of my options. 

What are some of your options for getting rid of a blank mind?

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Editor-in-Chief at Bold Vision Books and writing coach of award-winning authors, Larry J. Leech II has spent more than forty years writing and editing. He started his career as a sportswriter in southwestern Pennsylvania where he covered prep, college, and pro sports, including the Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers. 

In 2004, after 2,300 published articles, Larry moved into the book publishing industry. Since that time, he has ghostwritten 30 books, edited more than 400 manuscripts, and coached hundreds of authors through the writing and publication process. You can find him online on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.