8 Ways I Overcame Writer’s Block During My Most Challenging Book

Writing a book is no small task. Writing the book—the one that challenges you in ways you didn’t expect—can feel like an insurmountable mountain. I found myself paralyzed with writer’s block more times than I can count while working on what became my most difficult manuscript to date: “Sun.” It wasn’t just about finding the right words; it was about confronting the fear of failure, the pressure of high expectations, and the constant struggle to keep my creativity alive while building an entire dystopian world. 

If you’re in the thick of writer’s block or feeling stuck in your own writing journey, I want to share the eight strategies I used to overcome those creative obstacles and finish the book, and the whole trilogy; something that once seemed impossible. These aren’t just surface-level tips—they’re deep insights into how to break through the mental and emotional barriers that can derail your writing progress. 

Key Takeaways: How I Beat Writer’s Block 

• Break big goals into small, daily actions 
• Stick to a writing routine, not inspiration 
• Silence your inner critic—just write 
• Change your surroundings to boost creativity 
• Write scenes out of order to maintain momentum 
• Talk through roadblocks with others 
• Use freewriting to discover hidden insights 
• Be kind to yourself—progress over perfection

1. Set Small, Manageable Goals (Focus on the Process, Not the Outcome)

It’s easy to look at a blank page and get overwhelmed by the sheer size of the task ahead. The weight of completing an entire book can freeze you in your tracks. Early on in my writing, I realized that breaking the process down into smaller, more achievable tasks was key to pushing through the block. Instead of telling myself, “I need to write 60,000 words today,” I set a goal to finish a scene or write a specific number of words, even if it was just 500. 

While writing “Sun,” I often found myself overwhelmed by the complexity of the dystopian world I was creating. The nano-technological virus, the Utopian cities, the resistance—it was a lot to manage. So I started setting small goals: today I’ll just work on describing the sewer system Sun uses to infiltrate the city. Tomorrow, I’ll focus on the scene where she discovers the location of her brother. Breaking down the world-building into manageable chunks helped me make progress without getting lost in the enormity of the task. The key wasn’t perfection—it was progress. I could always revise later, but the goal was to keep moving forward. 

2. Create a Routine (Consistency Over Inspiration)

In my most challenging moments, I realized that writer’s block was less about a lack of inspiration and more about a lack of routine. I would wait for “the muse” to strike, only to find myself staring at the screen, waiting for some divine spark of creativity. What I learned the hard way was that waiting for inspiration is often the path to stagnation. 

When developing Sun’s character, I struggled with consistency in her voice. Some days she sounded too vulnerable, other days too hardened by her experiences. By establishing a consistent writing routine—writing at the same time each day, rereading previous sections to recapture her voice—I was able to maintain the tough-but-compassionate personality that defines her. The routine helped me stay connected to her character arc from denial to acceptance of her special abilities. 

3. Write Without Editing (Let Go of Perfectionism)

There’s nothing more paralyzing than the thought of writing something “bad.” For the longest time, I struggled with wanting everything to be perfect right out of the gate. But the constant self-editing as I went along only led to more frustration and less progress. I had to teach myself the invaluable lesson of writing without looking back—at least during the first draft. 

This was particularly challenging when writing the complex action sequences in “Sun”—like her escape from the recalibration center or her confrontation with Dominic. I kept second-guessing the pacing, the clarity, the emotional impact. When I finally allowed myself to just write these scenes without constantly going back to edit, I found that the raw emotion and tension came through much more authentically. Those rough, unfiltered drafts captured Sun’s desperation and determination in ways my overly edited versions never could. 

The key is to trust that your first draft doesn’t have to be flawless. You can always revise it later. The important thing is getting the ideas on paper. I let go of the inner critic and allowed myself to write scenes that were rough around the edges, knowing that they could evolve over time. 

This practice was freeing—it gave me permission to be imperfect. Some days, I wrote complete nonsense, but often, hidden gems emerged from the mess. Writing without judgment made it easier to keep going, even when the words weren’t coming easily. 

4. Change Your Environment (Break the Routine)

Sometimes, the reason we’re blocked has less to do with our creativity and more to do with our surroundings. Staring at the same desk, day in and day out, can make it harder to think outside the box. When I was developing the contrasts between the sterile, rigidly controlled Utopian cities and the wild, dangerous outside world where Sun lives, I found that changing my writing location helped immensely. Writing the scenes set in the wilderness while actually sitting in a park brought a sensory richness to those descriptions. Similarly, writing the clinical, technological scenes of the Utopian hives while in a modern, minimalist coffee shop helped me capture that stark, emotionless atmosphere. The physical contrast in environments translated to more vivid writing.

A change of scenery opens up new perspectives. Suddenly, you’re surrounded by new sights, sounds, and experiences that can inspire fresh ideas and approaches to the story. For me, writing in different locations often helped shake off the mental clutter and break through creative blockages. Plus, working in a different environment gave me a sense of freedom, like I wasn’t bound by the same old rules.

5. Allow Yourself to Skip Around (Don’t Get Stuck in the Middle)

I’m the kind of writer who gets anxious when a scene isn’t working out. But I quickly realized that forcing myself to write a scene that felt “wrong” often caused a creative logjam. Instead of sticking to a rigid linear path, I gave myself permission to write whatever part of the book inspired me at that moment. 

I would skip to a later chapter, write an emotional scene, or even jot down an exciting plot twist. This allowed me to continue working without getting hung up on a single point. It also kept my enthusiasm alive, because I could always return to the trickier parts later when I had more clarity. This non-linear approach kept me from feeling trapped and allowed me to be more flexible with my storytelling. 

When to Skip Ahead in Your Draft

When you want to explore character arcs earlier

6. Talk Through the Block (Collaboration Breeds Clarity)

Sometimes the best way to untangle a creative knot is to talk it out. When I felt stuck, I’d often turn to a trusted friend, mentor, or fellow writer to discuss what I was struggling with. Talking through the plot, character motivations, or even the overall arc helped me clarify where the story was going and what needed to change. 

While developing the nano-technological virus and its effects in “Sun,” I hit a major roadblock. The science needed to feel believable without overwhelming readers with technical details. Talking through these concepts with a friend who works in tech helped me strike that balance. They asked questions I hadn’t considered: “How do the nanites communicate with each other? How does Sun’s immunity actually work?” These conversations helped me develop a more coherent system that serves the story without bogging it down. 

Sharing your work-in-progress with others can bring in fresh perspectives. These discussions often spark new ideas or reveal flaws in the plot I hadn’t noticed before. It’s amazing how vocalizing your ideas can break the cycle of overthinking and help you gain clarity. 

7. Embrace the Power of Freewriting (Unlock Hidden Creativity)

When I was stuck, one of my most powerful tools was freewriting. I would set a timer for 20 minutes and simply write whatever came to mind, without worrying if it fit the story. Sometimes I would write about my day, my feelings about the book, or just a random scene that had nothing to do with the project. 

When I couldn’t figure out how to write Ben and Sun’s relationship development in a way that felt authentic rather than forced, I turned to freewriting. I wrote stream-of-consciousness entries from Sun’s perspective about trust, vulnerability, and her feelings about getting close to someone after years of isolation. This exercise revealed deeper layers to her character—her fear of connection, her protective instincts, her surprising capacity for tenderness despite her harsh upbringing. These insights helped me craft a relationship arc that felt genuine to her character. 

The key here is to let go of expectations. Freewriting is about unlocking creativity without constraints. It helps you tap into parts of your mind that you might not have explored otherwise. And more often than not, these writing sessions led to new plot ideas or unexpected character developments that I could integrate into the manuscript later. 

8. Give Yourself Grace (Let Go of the Perfectionist Pressure)

As a writer, I often found myself spiraling into self-doubt when things weren’t going well. The fear of failure felt paralyzing, but eventually, I realized that I needed to give myself permission to make mistakes. Writing is a process, and perfection doesn’t come instantly. 

Creating a dystopian world with unique technology, politics, and social structures was daunting. There were days when I questioned everything: Was the premise of the Syncs believable? Was Sun’s immunity to the virus too convenient as a plot device? Would readers buy into this world? I had to remind myself that even the most beloved science fiction novels underwent extensive revisions and faced similar doubts. By giving myself grace—understanding that worldbuilding is an iterative process—I was able to focus on the heart of the story: Sun’s journey to find her brother and accept her unique place in this fractured world. 

Sun’s Journey — and Mine

Manuscript completion 

Conclusion 

Writer’s block isn’t something you can simply will away, but with the right mindset and techniques, you can push through it. These eight strategies helped me navigate the toughest parts of writing “Sun” and ultimately finish the book I once thought I couldn’t write. The key is persistence, flexibility, and trust in the process. 

If you’re facing your own creative blocks, don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you. Most importantly, keep writing—because sometimes, the next breakthrough is just one sentence away. After all, Sun’s story of perseverance against impossible odds mirrors the writer’s journey itself—we keep going because we must, because there’s something important waiting to be found on the other side of our struggle.