If it’s your job to write, or at least your job right now, nothing is scarier than not being able to write. Sometimes, you just don’t feel inspired; sometimes, you’re bored. Sometimes, you want to do everything else but write. It is at these times when my house is its cleanest. Whether you have a bunch of ideas and don’t know where to start, or you have no ideas and don’t know where to start, there are some ways to get out of your funk.

1. Admit it. I know, easier said than done. If you are one of those writers that doesn’t believe in writer’s block, it may be time to re-examine that belief. You can’t fix a problem you can’t name.

2. Take a break. Breaks always help. You can do other writerly things or do something completely different. Some writers need to stay connected to their writing in some way, others need a clean break.

3. Read more. This is often the culprit of my writer’s block. If you're under a lot of stress (illness, relationships, the general state of the world), then chances are, you probably aren’t reading a lot. Get inspired by reading what you enjoy.

4. Take care of yourself. If you’re stressed out, I bet you would have trouble writing, just as you have trouble sleeping. Although there are many authors who were mentally unwell and wrote some of the great works of literature, you are not one of them.

5. Freewrite. This is one of my favorite, go-to activities. Pull up a blank document or grab a sheet of paper and write whatever comes to mind. And I mean whatever and however it comes to you. You have permission to write run-on sentences, sentence fragments, misspell words, forget punctuation. The point is to get all of your thoughts out of your head and onto paper (or your computer). You can also record yourself speaking if that is easier. This activity always leaves my hand cramping because my mind races and my hand can barely keep up. So plan to rest after this. Then read it back over. You may find some gems there. Or at least a thread to follow or unravel.

6. Journal. If you know me, you knew this was coming. Write about what you have to write. Write the directions of your assignment. Write out the steps you need to take or things you need to research. Write about a writer who has your assignment. It sounds very circular, but writing about writing is kinda therapeutic.