Some days, writing feels impossible.
Not because of deep creative blocks — just everyday resistance. The kind that makes opening your document feel like a chore.
When mindset shifts aren’t enough, tactical strategies help lower the friction so you can start writing and build momentum.
1. Use the 3x3 Strategy for Tiny, Achievable Goals
If “write 1,000 words” feels overwhelming, shrink the goal.
Instead of “write a chapter,” try:
Write one paragraph.
Describe the setting in three sentences.
Draft a few lines of dialogue.
For consistency, try the 3x3 strategy:
3 small actions per week.
Do this for 3 months.
Even tiny, consistent actions lead to big results.
2. Do Timed Sprints & Free-writing
Set a timer for 5 or 10 minutes.
Promise yourself you’ll write something — even if it’s rambling nonsense.
No pressure, no expectations. Just getting words down.
Feeling stuck in a work in progress?
Use free-writing:
Journal about what’s stopping you.
Make a list of everything you want to include in a scene.
Talk to yourself about a plot hole and brainstorm solutions.
Writing about your writing often jumpstarts the real thing.
3. Break Big Tasks into Micro-Steps
Overwhelmed by the thought of editing an entire novel?
Don’t think about the whole thing — just a small piece at a time.
Try this:
Read through your draft without changing anything — just noticing, highlighting, making notes.
Fix one awkward sentence.
Edit one page.
Then do another.
My approach to full-book edits — do multiple focused passes:
One pass for spell-checked items.
One pass for “words to avoid” (like very, just, really, suddenly).
One pass for fact-checking details.
One pass for dialogue flow.
One pass for scene transitions.
Breaking edits into specific tasks makes the process less overwhelming.
4. End on a Cliffhanger (and Leave Yourself Notes)
Stop in the middle (or just before the end) of a scene.
Leave yourself something interesting to return to.
Bonus trick:
Before stopping for the day, write a quick note for your next session.
“Next scene: The argument at the café.”
“Describe the storm — tie it to the character’s emotions.”
“Figure out how they escape the locked room.”
It’s easier to start writing again when you already know what comes next.
If you’re feeling stuck, try one of these tactics. Tiny actions add up. And once you start moving, writing gets easier.
Slade
For more strategies on overcoming writer’s block and developing a sustainable writing practice, subscribe to The Writer’s Reboot.
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