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Writer’s block: nine tips to overcome it when you write your thesis

You know what you want to write, but you’re incapable to write? The page remains blank? Nothing to worry about. This is a writer’s block. Writer’s block is normal. It belongs to the writing process. Specially when you write such challenging text such as a paper or your thesis. This paper explains how to deal with it.

Actually, you know exactly what you want to write, but you just cannot start.

Perhaps you try a first sentence, but you delete it immediately…

And you try another one.

Again you delete it… and so on.

The screen remains blank.

The page, bare.

The situation seems insurmountable.

Nearly everybody has struggled with writer’s block at one time or another.

Nearly every writer has experienced how dreadful it is.

Even the most experienced authors.

“All writing problems are psychological problems. Blocks usually stem from the fear of being judged. If you imagine the world listening, you’ll never write a line. That’s why privacy is so important. You should write first drafts as if they will never be shown to anyone”. Erica Jong

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES FOR WRITER’S BLOCK?

The most common causes for writer’s block among PhD candidates are:

• Fear: e.g. fear of critique, of one’s own ideas, of the reader, of failing, of success.
• Perfectionism: the text is never good enough; it needs to be rewritten and improved again – and never gets finished.
• Delusions of grandeur:  My PHD will save the world!
• The environment:  e.g. financial problems, conflicts, uncomfortable working space.
• The targeted reader: e.g. a professor who intimidates you, the anonymous mass of readers.
• The topic:  e.g. it is  boring, makes you angry, or you feel so passionate about it that you cannot think calmly.
• The inner critic: an inner voice which denigrates what you do.
• Isolation: being alone in front of your blank screen, facing your fears and constantly hearing your inner critic only worsens the problem. It does not help.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IN CASE OF  WRITER’S BLOCK ?

• Start with the easiest part of your text. You will progress quickly and get motivated to continue.
• Brainstorm your topic before writing your first draft: It is easier to structure your thoughts when you can see them in black and white.
• Change the tool: If you cannot write with the computer, try with a pencil or talk on a Dictaphone.
• Change the location: If you cannot work in the office, try in the kitchen, in a pub, or in a park.
• Address your text to a friend: by targeting this reader you will be able to forget the readers who are blocking you.
• Tell a friend what you want to write about: Sometimes talking is easier than writing.
• Be aware that a good text is the result of many revisions: Do not try to write it perfectly the first time.
• Seek help: Don’t spend too much time staring at your empty Talking with other people often helps  you recover self-confidence and overcome a block.
• Join a writing group: This is a group of PhD candidates sharing the same aim (to finish their thesis), same problems and solutions. In such a group you can ask for help, ask for feedback while helping others and giving feedback as well, which will surely empower you!

In any case, remember that writer’s block is normal. It  belongs to the writing process. It is nothing to worry about, and no reason to question your intelligence.

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6 tricks to tame your inner critic while writing your thesis, the phd defence – the right mindset, formulate achievable goals for your phd, a golden rule for reading scientific literature, afraid of missing important information, leave a reply.

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I want to to thank you for your time and for your amizing course!

Thakn you for your Tips. They’re simple, yet effective. Outstanding Blog !

Thank you very much for your blog. This post particulartly helps me understand why my block…

I’m glaid it helped, Ali! Have a great continuation with your thesis 🙂 !

Thank you for your feedback, Ali! 🙂

I love your blog, thanks a lot, Martha!

You’re very welcome, Julieta 🙂

This is very useful information. Thanks!

Thank you, Elisabeth! 🙂

I thank you for your blog. This article helps me a lot. I am a PhD student in Physics.

Thank you for your message, Uru.

Thanks for your inspiring posting! I definitely enjoyed reading it, Prof. Martha 🙂 have a nice evening!

Thanks a lot for all those tipps 🙂

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I have saved this article and have a look every time and again. It is very helpful! Thanks a lot! Cristina

Very good blog you have here but I was wanting to know if you knew of any community forums that cover the same topics discussed here? I’d really like to be a part of group where I can get suggestions from other experienced individuals that share the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Cheers!

“Do not try to write it perfectly the first time.” Great tips, thank you very much!

Very helpful! All writers experience writer’s block moments when one simply struggles to put ideas into words.

Please read my blog on How to Beat Writer’s Block

Thank you…

Tbanks a lot!

I’m really enjoying the topics of this blog. A lot of times it’s very hard to get that “perfect balance” between usability and appearance. I must say that you’ve done a great job with this. AOutstanding Blog!

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Thank you so much for this interesting information! This will be really helpful for every student.

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Great tips! Thanks a lot!

I have read a few just right stuff here. Definitely price bookmarking for revisiting.

I really appreciate this post. I’ve been looking everywhere for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thx again

Merci beaucoup pour cet article, Martha! C’est toujours un grand plaisir de vous lire!

Thanks for making me to achieve new strategies about personal writing. I also hold the belief that certain of the best ways to maintain your writing in primary condition is to write as regulartly. Routine helps to make writing less scaring. Once more, thanks for your recommendations. 🙂

Regularity helps, for sure! It is a matter of training. The more you train writing, the more self-confident you become, the easier writing becomes. Thank you for your comment, Bernadette :)!

Good – I should definitely pronounce, impressed with your website. I had no trouble navigating through all tabs as well as related info ended up being truly simple to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it at all. Reasonably unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or something, website theme . a tones way for your customer to communicate. Excellent task..

Thanks a lot for your nice words, Janessa:) !

Thanks a lot for your tips. It is so liberating to write faster than usually and white in white! 🙂

I agree 🙂 ! Thank you for your post, Charles!

I’m at the other end, suffering from writer’s diarrhea . . . or something like that. Words just keep coming. The peril is that I slide off topic and just keep plunging ahead. Happens every time I want to make an editorial submission. Always turns out to be more about me and less about the topic. Arrrgh.

Hi Jenny, The process you describe is quite usual. You have 2 options: – Write everything you can think of and then restructure your draft or – Write all this in your PhD Notebook. This will help you to get idesas clarified and structured. When you want to write a paper, proceed step by step: 1. Design a concept answering following questions: What is the goal of your paper? Who is the intended audience? What is the message your paper should convey? 2. Design an outline. I guess this article will help you : http://www.scriptoria.org/en/4-steps-to-design-your-outline/ . It helps you to stay focused on your goal. 3. Write a first draft, keeeping 1 & 2 before eyes, in order not forget what you want to focus on. 4. Revise your paper (first of all: delete all superfluous). I hope, it helps. Feel welcome to contact me if you have any comment! 🙂

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Beat Dissertation Writer's Block: Top 12 Proven Strategies to Succeed

Table of contents

Dissertation writer’s block is one of the most universally feared experiences in a student’s life. You’re sitting in front of your computer, staring at a blank screen, not knowing how to start. You may find yourself writing one or two sentences, only to second-guess yourself and delete them shortly after.

Whether you're a poet, screenwriter, or freelance content creator, it's almost inevitable that you'll experience writer's block at some point in your career. However, it’s more frustrating as a student because you’re working under strict deadlines so much that even a day’s delay will cost you your grades.

Can writer's block be permanent?

No. Writer’s block cannot be permanent. It occasionally comes and goes depending on the writer's mental state, life situation, or environmental factors. However, if not properly dealt with, it can last uncomfortably long.

How long can writer's block last?

Writer's block can vary in length depending on the cause, the individual, and the severity. It can last for a few hours, days, or even weeks. However, it's crucial to address writer's block as soon as it arises, as ignoring it could result in missed submission deadlines and hinder academic progress.

In this blog post, we’ll give you 12 effective tips for overcoming dissertation writer’s block so you can submit your work on time without losing your mind.

What causes dissertation writer's block

Ph.D. students are likely to experience writer’s block while writing their dissertations . Some of the most common causes of dissertation writer’s block include:

• Overthinking and aiming for perfection;
• Disconnection from the topic;
• Feeling overwhelmed;
• Lack of motivation;
• Lack of clarity and focus;
• Fear of failure;
• Distractions;
• Procrastination.

Do professional writers get writer's block?

Yes. Writer’s block is common among all writers, including professional writers. It’s not uncommon to find them stuck and staring at a blank page. Through many years of experience, professional writers have mastered the habits and strategies for overcoming writer’s block.

12 Strategies to Jumpstart Your Dissertation Progress

Writer’s block can hamper productivity and leave you feeling nothing but frustrated. Here are 12 effective strategies to help Ph.D. students overcome dissertation writer’s block when it occurs.

1. Brainstorm your topic and research first

One of the most effective ways to overcome dissertation writer's block is to conduct a comprehensive literature review and research before you start writing.

In most cases, writer’s block occurs because you don’t know what to write about. Before you sit at your desk to write, collect all the relevant sources and research your topic thoroughly.

There are several free online journals and databases that can help you with your dissertation research. Some of them include:

• ScienceOpen.
• CIA World Factbook.
• Semantic Scholar.

As you research, take down notes and draw up a rough outline of your paper. These notes will help you to organize your thoughts and make you write more easily.

2. Establish a schedule and avoid distractions

Establishing a writing schedule can help you stay focused and beat the dreaded writer’s block. 

Decide beforehand how many hours, time, and days you will spend on your dissertation per week. This allows you to allocate enough time to complete your paper on time.

For instance, you can allocate one hour in the morning to write a section of your paper before starting your day. Early morning is usually a good time since it’s often quiet and distraction-free.

When you finally sit down to start writing, put your phone on silent, and avoid checking on social media or attending to other errands.

This way, you can focus on your writing and become more productive within the stipulated time.

3. Break down your thesis into smaller parts

Look at your dissertation as an assembly of many different parts. Instead of trying to write the whole of it at once, which can be overwhelming, divide it into different sections and allocate a time or a day for each section.

A dissertation paper will have many sections, including the introduction, literature review, methodology, results, and discussion section.

For instance, you can try writing the literature review or the methodology one or two days a week. You may also want to break down each section further into sub-sections (e.g., methodology 1 and methodology 2), which you can tackle differently.

Breaking down your paper and handling one part at a time can make your work easier and less intimidating.

4. Start with the easiest part of your thesis

Writing the easiest part of your dissertation first can help you to stay motivated and build momentum as you move to more complex parts.

Depending on your topic, the easiest part may be the introduction, literature review, or methodology.

Remember, you don’t always have to write your paper sequentially. If you experience writer’s block while explaining your methodology, you can skip to less challenging parts like the results or the acknowledgments.

You can also decide to work on more interesting elements like drawing graphs or chats to break the monotony of words. Before you know it, your creative juices will start flowing again, and you can return to the more difficult sections of your paper.

5. Don’t try to get a perfect first draft

A perfectionism mindset is a common contributor to writer's block. When you start writing, simply focus on putting your ideas down on paper, even if they are not perfect.

Write and keep writing without trying to edit or change a thing. Let your thoughts flow, and don’t worry too much about your grammar or sentence structure. Once you finish writing your first draft, you can come back to refine and improve later.

Remember, the final version of your dissertation paper will be a thoroughly edited, reviewed, and revised version of the first draft, so take it easy!

6. Take regular breaks

Sitting for hours, staring at the screen can make you feel unproductive and drained. If you find yourself battling writer's block, you may need to step away from your desk and take a break.

Take a walk around the block, enjoy a cup of coffee, or engage in light physical activity to get your blood flowing. You can also take a nap, chat with a friend or use that break time to meditate and release stress .

You can come back to your work after a few minutes, refreshed and with renewed energy to write. You’ll notice an improved focus and increased creativity.

7. Talk it out with a friend or your supervisor/mentor

Sometimes, all you need to beat dissertation writer’s block is to discuss your ideas with someone else.

Find someone you trust, such as a friend, mentor, or supervisor, and discuss your challenges. Tell them where you feel stuck and may need their help or input.

They may offer helpful suggestions or fresh perspectives for your dissertation that you hadn't considered before. You may be surprised how a small chat can help you gain clarity, confidence, and motivation to keep writing.

8. Join an online community of dissertation writers

A community of dissertation writers can also provide you with a support system and a source of motivation.

If you consistently experience writer’s block, consider joining an online group or community where you can ask questions, share your struggles, and celebrate your achievements.

You can also share tips, strategies, and progress with other students, which may help eliminate writer's block. Find dissertation writer groups on social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, Reddit, and Quora, and join them for inspiration.

9. Change your writing environment

Working in one environment for a long time can sometimes derail your creativity and send you to writer’s block. That’s why it can be helpful to change your writing environment occasionally.

If you’ve been writing from your office desk for hours, try shifting to a different location, like a coffee shop, a park, or a library.

Writing outdoors where you are in touch with nature can particularly be helpful. Occasionally change your writing environment to help break the monotony and keep your creativity flowing.

10. Seek some help

Finally, if you struggle with writer's block after trying the above techniques, consider seeking help. Hire professional dissertation writers to guide you through the process and help you deliver your dissertation on time.

Take Writers Per Hour, for instance, is a dissertation writing service with some of the team's most qualified and professional writers. Whether you’re looking to write a dissertation from scratch or need someone to rewrite your paper, we can help you when you’re experiencing dissertation writer’s block.

However, it's crucial to resist the temptation of using AI to simplify the writing process due to the potential risks associated with it.

11. Include Practical Exercises

Engaging in practical exercises can provide a much-needed respite from a constant, one-sided intellectual effort and can help to recharge your creativity. Here are some exercises:

Freewriting: Set a timer for 10-15 minutes and write without stopping, even if you're just writing "I don't know what to write." This can help your mind get into the flow of writing.

Writing Prompts: Use a writing prompt to inspire a short piece of writing. You can find many prompts online, or create your own. For instance, "Describe a significant event in your research subject's life," or "How does the environment of your research location affect your topic?".

Mind Mapping: Start with a central idea in the middle of a page, then draw branches off this idea with related points or thoughts. This can help you visually organize your thoughts and identify new angles to your topic.

Journaling: Maintain a regular journal where you write about your day, your feelings, and thoughts about your research. This habit not only improves your writing fluency but also helps in capturing spontaneous insights about your dissertation.

12. Use Time Management Techniques

Overcoming dissertation writer’s block requires effective time management strategies. Several techniques can be game-changers:

Pomodoro method: Break your work into 25-minute focused intervals, separated by short breaks. This enhances productivity and ensures regular mental rest.

Time blocking: Divide your day into task-specific segments to reduce multitasking and increase focus.

Eisenhower Box: Prioritize tasks based on their urgency and importance. This helps to focus on what truly contributes to your dissertation progress.

2-minute rule : Immediately complete tasks that take two minutes or less to prevent them from piling up.

Goal setting : Set clear, achievable goals to guide your time management efforts and stay motivated.

These techniques streamline the writing process, prevent overwhelm, and keep writer's block at bay.

Key takeaway

Dissertation writer's block is a common challenge that Ph.D. students face. However, by utilizing the 12 strategies, you can effectively overcome mental obstacles, breakthrough writing barriers, and produce high-quality work.

Don't let writer's block get in the way of your dissertation journey. With perseverance and the right mindset, you can achieve your academic goals and produce work you can be proud of.

Keep learning : Plan to Write a 10,000-word Dissertation in 16 Days

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Overcoming Writer’s Block in Dissertation Writing

1. Introduction to the Concept of Writer’s Block in Dissertation Writing

When it comes to writing a dissertation, writer’s block is not uncommon. It can be one of the most difficult phases of dissertation writing and understanding this condition can help you move forward with your work efficiently.

What Is Writer’s Block?

Writer’s block occurs when an individual finds themselves unable to produce coherent thoughts or texts while attempting to write. It usually follows a period where words just won’t come out as expected, leading to constant frustration and procrastination. Common signs include mental paralysis when trying to express ideas on paper or computer screen, lack of enthusiasm towards assigned topics and fear from being judged by supervisors during assessment procedures.

Strategies for Dealing With Writer’s Block

To effectively cope with writer’s block in dissertation writing there are certain strategies that have proven effective over time:

• External Stimulation: Think outside the box! Read other dissertations written by peers; attend lectures related research findings as well take part in discussion groups which could give rise new perspectives related works under study.

2. Understanding the Causes and Effects of Writer’s Block

Causes of Writer’s Block Writer’s block is a phenomenon experienced by writers when they are unable to produce new work or experiences difficulty in generating ideas. The exact cause of writer’s block is still unknown, however, some possible reasons can be:

• High level of stress.
• Lack of motivation and inspiration.
• Unclear goals and expectations.

Another potential contributing factor could be perfectionism where the expectation for one’s writing being flawless becomes too high that it leads to discouragement or fear. An inability to create meaningful connections between ideas might also contribute towards this affliction.

3. Developing Strategies for Overcoming Procrastination

Creating a Structure to Preempt Procrastination:

Procrastination is an ever-present challenge, but developing and following strategies can help you stay on track. The key is to preempt procrastinating by establishing clear objectives which will provide motivation. Structuring your tasks in chronological order allows you to focus only the immediate task at hand while knowing what lies ahead further down the line.

• Set meaningful goals that include timelines for accomplishment
• Break down large projects into smaller more manageable steps
• Create rewards along the way as milestones are reached such as taking a break or playing music

Rewards Systems & Stickability Tactics:

Reward systems help maintain motivation from start until finish when working towards something. It’s wise to set yourself up with incentives which incentivize and motivate you towards success; this will also build momentum for later tasks should larger projects arise.

4. Techniques to Stimulate Creative Thinking During Dissertation Writing

Mind Mapping: The mind mapping technique is extremely helpful for visualizing the connections between various ideas and subtopics, allowing dissertation writers to keep their work well-structured. Start by writing down your main topic in the center of a page, then draw lines outwards that branch off into further detail about each aspect. This can be done using pen and paper or an online tool such as Mind42.

Brainstorming: Brainstorming with colleagues or peers helps to come up with creative solutions during dissertation writing. Working together in groups allows for more diverse perspectives on topics, which broadens knowledge base upon which new insights can be drawn. Establish ground rules before beginning the brainstorming session so everyone remains focused on resolving issues at hand.

5. Benefits of Connecting with Other Writers in a Supportive Network

Being part of a supportive network for writers has many advantages that range from professional to personal. Connecting with other like-minded individuals is likely to have various positive impacts on a writer’s career, as well as developing skills.

• Motivation: Being surrounded by other committed and passionate people can be an excellent source of motivation. When meeting up or discussing through digital platforms, members will benefit from each other’s support and shared enthusiasm in pursuing their writing goals.
• Constructive Feedback: The feedback you get when connecting with another writer who understands your work may help shape your future projects and grow professionally. The critiques they provide won’t just tell you what could be improved but also show how far you’ve come as a writer since the start.

6. Engaging with Tools that Aid Concentration and Focus

When it comes to improving concentration, there are a number of helpful tools that can be used. To begin with, meditation and mindfulness have been found to be effective in boosting focus levels. Meditation requires regular practice over time to achieve the desired effect, but some people find that even just 10 minutes each day helps them concentrate more effectively during their work or study sessions.

Additionally, using technology such as websites and apps , specifically designed for helping improve focus and productivity is also useful. Examples include:

• Brain FM – an AI powered music service made up of unique compositions created by scientists specifically geared towards aiding concentration.

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7. Summary on Transforming Difficulties into Opportunities for Success

Success can be achieved by taking difficult situations and turning them into a learning experience. To begin, it is important to reframe how you think about difficulty by recognizing the opportunity that exists in times of hardship. Building resilience through positive thinking and changing your expectations of yourself will help motivate you forward when faced with challenges.

Identifying Difficulties:

• Know what type of challenge you are facing
• Understand current context surrounding situation

Building Resilience :

OASIS: Writing Center

Writing a paper: writer's block.

Writing is a process, not a singular event. It is rarely an automatic occurrence and requires diligence, creativity, and practice. If you feel lost in the process of research, take a look at our strategies for critical reading and note taking. If you are stuck, here are tips for helping you put words onto the page.

Before you begin writing, take 20 min to construct a thesis statement with some of our prewriting strategies. Taking the time to prepare will give you direction and focus. A blank page does not mean that you are searching for the right word or words to begin your essay; it often means that you have no plan. As a scholarly writer, you should show up to your paper or computer full of information you have found in your research. Your goal is to compile a wide and deep knowledge base from which your own ideas will flow.

Find a Suitable Environment

Turn off your internal editor, write nonstop for a set period.

Find a timer or stopwatch, and set it for 1 min. Then, like a sprinter, type or hand-write nonstop until the time is up. Even if you type the letter A over and over again, you are still typing something! You are still defeating the blank page. Next, set the timer for 2 min, then 5 min, and repeat the process, with 1-min breaks in between. Soon enough, you will be surprised by what you see on the page!

Set Realistic Goals

Sometimes the blank pages in front of you can be incredibly intimidating—especially if you know that you are required to fill 25 of them. Rather than tackling the entire paper in one sitting, set goals for yourself. Setting goals will help you to work at a reasonable pace and form the paper in increments and pieces. Set time goals, such as these:

• I will freewrite for 5 min.
• I will work on the body paragraphs for 2 hr today.
• I will complete my outline by Friday.
• I will finalize my thesis statement by 3 p.m. today.

Hold yourself accountable to your goals.

Giving yourself a break (whether for 10 min, an hour, a day or two) will help clear your mind and make your words appear fresh on the page. Some ideas need time to develop without conscious thought—not all time spent away from the computer is unproductive time!

Change Perspective

Bounce ideas off classmates, friends, or family members.  Ask general questions to people who are familiar with your topic. What seems important to them? What background, terms, or other ideas will they need to know in order to understand your message? Do they disagree with your argument or the points you make? If so, why?

Summarize your own work.  In the margins of your paper (or using comment bubbles), write a one-sentence summary of the purpose of each paragraph. Review your summaries to get a clearer idea of your direction, the overall flow of the paper, and how far you still need to go.

Take another look. Ask yourself a few questions:

• Is this information necessary?
• Does it add to my argument?
• What message am I trying to convey?
• Are these ideas contributing to that message?
• What ideas could I be missing?

When in doubt, read more on your topic—it is never a bad idea to go back to your sources and expand your knowledge when you are trying to work your way out of writer’s block.

Freewriting Video

Note that this video was created while APA 6 was the style guide edition in use. There may be some examples of writing that have not been updated to APA 7 guidelines.

• Prewriting Demonstrations: Freewriting (video transcript)

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Symptoms and Cures for Writer's Block

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A description of common causes of writer’s block and advice for overcoming these blocks.

Written by Kylie Regan.

Most writers experience writer’s block at some point in their life, at various stages of the writing process. Often a solution can be found by speaking with your instructor (if you are a student) or a writing tutor. But there are ways to combat writer’s block on your own, too! When you’re having trouble figuring out what to write next, consider these common types of writer’s block and try the strategies that sound most promising.

If you're having trouble finding a starting place for the assignment...

• Brainstorm topics that are interesting to you. Use the invention strategies suggested by a tutor or teacher to generate questions or thoughts that serve as useful starting places.
• Write down all the primary ideas you'd like to express and then fill in each with the smaller ideas that make up each primary idea. This can easily be converted into an outline .
• If your paper involves conducting research, you can look for places where you disagree with another thinker’s claim or feel more work needs to be done. Identifying gaps or conflicts in the existing conversation around a topic is often a great starting place.

Example: You’ve been asked to analyze a television commercial. You remember three commercials that you found interesting and re-watch them, taking notes on details that stand out to you. You freewrite for five minutes on each of the three commercials, and discover that you have much more to say about one than the others. You focus on that one, expanding your freewrite into the an outline for the entire essay.

If you have a topic and an outline, but can’t think of an interesting beginning…

• After the paper is completely drafted, you can get all the sections in the correct order and read it start-to-finish to ensure that transitions are smooth.

Example: You have to complete a lab report and hate writing the “Introduction” section. In order to complete the project on time, you overcome your anxiety about writing that section by first writing the “Materials,” “Method,” and “Results” sections. You write the “Introduction” last, reorder, and revise holistically.

If you’ve chosen or been assigned a topic that bores you…

• If you’ve chosen a common topic just because you thought it would be easy to write on, reconsider: it’s easiest to write about something in which you have a personal interest.
• If you can’t change the major scope or goal of the assignment, try to understand why you’re being asked to write it. What knowledge will you gain from completing the assignment? What skills will you be able to practice? Who would benefit from reading my finished product, and how would that positively change that community?

Example: You work for your campus newspaper and have been assigned to write an article on an upcoming career fair. Although at first your editor asks you to simply inform students of what companies will be represented at the event, you find that you’re much more interested in profiling a certain company that’s new to the fair. You talk to your editor and get permission to write the article that engages you more.

Example: The same scenario as above, but your editor tells you that you have to write the original, more general article. Although it’s boring to you, you reflect that you’ll gain practice presenting a mass of information in concise language, certainly a useful skill for a journalist. Additionally, there are thousands of students on campus who would benefit from the information your article will cover. This motivates you to write the article.

If you don’t understand the assignment…

• The better you can articulate the source of confusion, the more help others can give you.

Example: Your composition instructor has asked you to write a Digital Literacy Narrative. The assignment sheet provides a definition of “digital literacy,” and you have some class notes that further clarify the concept. But after reviewing these materials, you’re still not certain if your instructor would allow you to write about how you learned to use different coffee-making technologies, as they aren’t traditionally considered digital devices. You go to your instructor’s office hours to ask if this topic would be acceptable, taking your annotated assignment sheet and class notes with you.

If you’re worried that you’ll write the wrong thing…

• Remember that the first draft is not the final draft. If you’re not sure that an argument will pan out, just start writing it and see where it takes you. You can always delete paragraphs that don’t work out later, but the best insights often come from pushing yourself into uncertain territory—if you never feel unsure about your claims, you’re probably just reproducing existing findings!
• If you’re worried that a small detail is incorrect, that’s okay in the draft phase. Rather than spending a lot of time checking every small detail as you go, just leave a note to yourself to check your sources later. Or, leave the troublesome paragraph for later and work on a section that you’re more confident writing about.

Example: You’re writing a paper on King Henry VIII and can’t remember off the top of your head whether he beheaded two or three of his wives. The answer to this question wouldn’t change your major argument either way, so you decide it’s not important to look up right now. You write “two,” highlight it, and leave a note to yourself to check this minor supporting fact against your research notes later.

If you’re worried that your sentences aren’t polished enough…

• Remember, again, that the first draft is not the final draft. The sooner you get some words on the page, the more time you’ll have to edit your prose for clarity and style later. Complete an entire draft before you start editing on the sentence level.
• If you find yourself consistently obsessing over individual sentences as you go, try dimming or covering your laptop or computer monitor’s screen so that you can’t see what you’re typing. You can also try writing in a notebook and typing up your work later.
• Consciously stop any non-productive comments running through your head by replacing them with productive ones. Rather than labeling yourself a “bad writer,” think about what parts of the writing process you excel at (idea generation, conclusions, sentence style, etc.) and plan to allot more time for the steps that take you longer.

Example: You’re writing a paper on the effects of all-nighters on college student’s health. You can’t think of the word “deleterious.” After a few seconds of futilely scanning your brain for it, you write “super harmful,” knowing that you can find the more professional word later.

If you’re so stressed out that you can’t seem to put a word on the page…

• Take a short break! If you’re close to a deadline and worried about losing track of time, then set a timer for ten or fifteen minutes and use that short window to relax before getting back to work. Stretch, move away from your desk, and don’t neglect your sleeping and eating schedule. It’s much harder to write if you’re sleep-deprived or dehydrated.
• If you have several days left before your deadline, break the assignment into manageable parts. Set measurable writing goals for yourself, like writing without interruption for thirty minutes every day, or writing a certain number of words by a given deadline.
• Finally, ask for help! Writing is most stressful when you’re doing it by yourself for a long period of time. Asking a tutor or a friend to talk through your ideas can help you get some perspective on the assignment, and remind you that it’s nothing to be anxious about.

Example: You have a week before an important job application is due and you’re anxious that the search committee will dislike your cover letter before you’ve even written it. Since you still have plenty of time before the deadline, you plan to work on it for just thirty minutes every day. You talk to a friend who helps you make a list of reasons why you’re qualified for this job, and you stick to your writing schedule.

If you’re easily distracted when you open your computer to write…

• Try temporarily disabling your internet access. Take your laptop to a space that doesn’t have internet access. Draft by hand in a notebook and type up your work later. Or, simply turn your computer’s wifi detector off, or put your document into full-screen or “Focus” mode: these obstacles are easy to overcome, but the time it takes to make the few extra clicks to open an internet browser is sometimes enough to stop yourself.
• You can also try setting a timer forcing yourself to do nothing but write for a short period of time. Even a ten-minute focused writing session can help you break through initial writer’s block and build momentum on your project.

Example: You start to work on your paper, and after writing one sentence feel the impulse to watch just one YouTube video. However, as you have wisely decided to take your computer to the house of a friend who doesn’t have internet, your browser gives you a frowny face and an error message. You return to your paper and keep writing.

How to beat writer’s block

You don't need to spend a long time writing before you experience writer's block; that deeply frustrating state where you just seem unable to get words out of your head and onto the page.

Probably every writer has experienced writer's block at some point or another, which is reassuring because it means that there must be ways to overcome it otherwise nothing would ever get published.

But before looking at solutions, we first need to understand what the problem actually is.

Writer's block: a symptom, not a condition

There are many reasons why you might experience writer's block, so it is perhaps better to think of it as a symptom of some other problem rather than a condition in itself.

If you only treat the symptom, for example by switching to write about something else or by telling yourself to just "write shit" , then this may not be an appropriate response to the underlying problems.

The post below covers 8 common causes of writer's block and some partial solutions for different situations. You may be experiencing more than one at the same time!

8 causes of writer's block

Please note, when I talk about writing, I refer to writing as a means of communication and presentation, rather than idea-generation and exploration. The two are very different!

- Distraction

Writing takes concentration. It takes time to solidify an idea into words, and any disruption to your train of thought can take a long time to recover from.

Distraction comes in many forms. You may be interrupted by people coming to talk to you, by stressful events in your life or just by random thoughts popping into your head. The biggest distraction, though, is the internet.

‍ For me, it often starts with email (easily justifiable), but during the 3 seconds it takes to load I already have a tab open to check Facebook. And the news. 40 minutes later I'm watching videos of cats on YouTube.

Willpower alone is not enough to beat this. I strongly recommend removing the option of going online if you want to get writing done.

Before I started writing my PhD thesis, I cancelled my home internet connection so there was no way to get online while I was at the computer. I now use the program Cold Turkey to block the internet for several hours at a time.

- Too many ideas at the same time

Sometimes there are simply too many ideas in my head to be able to write. It's like having a crowd of 1000 people trying to get through a narrow doorway at the same time- they all get stuck.

The best way to solve this is to slow down, hold most of the ideas back, and just let one through at a time.

It’s useful to do a brain dump by putting all those ideas down using pen and paper . This gives you a stock of ideas you can come back to, and is useful to help you decide what you want to say

- Not knowing what you want to say

If you don't know what you are trying to say, then you won't be able to find the words to say it.

But even if you have just a half-formed notion of what you want to say, you at least have a focal point for your attention and can spend some time engaged with the idea until it becomes clearer.

Then the challenge is to find the words to express that idea clearly to the reader.

- Difficult problems of expression

Writing is a process of solving problems of expression, and some of these problems are more difficult than others.

If you are writing about ideas you know well, which you have discussed many times and which you are confident in, then often the words can flow without too much thought. But not everything you write about will be so easy. Some ideas are more subtle, more complicated, more difficult. This means that sometimes you will slow to a halt because you need to spend some time thinking about the idea and how to express it.

This is an inevitable part of the writing process, and it is nothing to worry about. Slow down, take your time, and have the patience to try to solve these problems as they arise.

‍ If you put pressure on yourself to keep getting more words down and switch to writing about something else, all you are doing is saving all the difficult problems for later. This leads to the all-too-common situation of trying to do all the difficult work at the end when you are under the most time pressure.

‍ If you stay with the idea a little longer and manage to solve the problem, it feels really good and your writing pace will increase again.

But what if the problem is unsolvable? At least spending some time thinking about it can help you work out why.

- Missing knowledge

If you spend time on a writing problem but find that you can't solve it, it may be because you are missing some knowledge or information.

If this is the case, no amount of thinking or "writing around the subject" will help. You need to identify what the gap is, decide whether it is important enough to your work to justify the time and effort to fill, and either cut it or go and get the information you need.

It my be that you need to do some analysis or some reading or go and speak to someone, but this needs to be done before you try to write about it again.

- Half-formed ideas

There will be times when you have an idea floating in your mind, but which isn't quite solid enough to grab hold of and put into words. It's like those times when you're trying to remember the name of a song- you know it's there but the harder you try the further out of reach it seems to get. It's frustrating, but sometimes the best thing to do is to try to relax and let your brain work.

I will often spend 10 minutes staring out of the window while I think, or I'll go for a walk but try to stay gently attached to the thought. Sometimes the idea escapes, sometimes it leads to a new and deeper insight, and there's no way to control or predict which it will be.In this situation, it is absolutely crucial that you don't go online. The internet is death for creative thought.

- Not knowing what comes next

Writer's block can occur if you have reached a point where you just don't know what to write next or what direction you want to take the writing.

Some degree of planning helps. As a writer your job is to guide the reader from one idea to the next, so knowing roughly where you want to go is a good idea.

One useful strategy is to type out four or five bullet points outlining the key points you want to cover next. These may change- you can add or remove points or change the order as you write- so it's not about planning everything rigidly but rather giving yourself a flexible short-term plan.

If you have done a brain-dump on paper, then you can dip into this stock of ideas to select the next points.

Finishing a piece of academic writing usually means showing it to someone else for review, whether that's submission to a journal, your supervisor, or for the final examination of your thesis.

This can be terrifying. What if it isn't good enough? What if I have missed something crucial? What if it gets torn apart?

Sometimes it is easier to just keep revising a document rather than submit it, because as long as it's unfinished you can't fail. Sometimes it's hard to motivate yourself to finish off those last few easy things, because it's difficult to let go, to submit.

This is where a deadline helps, but it's also good to get into the habit of finishing whatever you are working on.  Get each section into a submittable state before moving on to the next. You may still be reluctant to submit, but it does help to lower the barrier somewhat.

Ultimately you can't know what the result will be, you just have to be bold, submit it, and trust that whatever happens it will be OK.‍

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Recovering physicist. I used to work in nanoscience before moving on to bigger things. After finishing my PhD in 2007 I completed 2 postdoc contracts before becoming starting coaching PhD students full-time in late 2010. In 2015 I published the book

The more you write, the harder it gets...

Don’t neglect your data.

How to Overcome Writer’s Block and Build Your Academic Writing Skills

So imagine this, you’ve completed your research and are ready to share it with the world, now all you need is to write a good academic paper. But despite having everything at hand, you find you’ve hit a brick wall – it’s the dreaded writer’s block. And it’s not just PhD students who face this speedbump, most researchers have dealt with the writer’s block at some time or the other regardless of where they are in their career. The key to overcoming writer’s block is getting started. Here are some strategies for those wondering how to get rid of writer’s block and build your academic writing skills.

Strategies for overcoming writer’s block

Academics involved in their research work often forget to focus on building academic writing skills that are critical to communicate their work. Researchers can struggle to collate all the data and knowledge gleaned through their research into a compelling, well-structured manuscript. And the most common question at this point is how to get rid of a writer’s block. Here are some simple strategies that help in overcoming a writer’s block and streamline the way forward.

1. Read articles related to your topic: One of the most important things for researchers is to read similar or relevant research articles. Not only is this great in gathering information but it also helps direct your attention to how your research can be presented, helping you develop your academic writing skills. Browsing through related scholarly literature can show you how to structure your findings and understand the type and extent of data to be included in your own paper, which can go a long way in overcoming the writer’s block.

2. Create writing rituals and stick to it: Blocking time to write every day, ideally at a time that you feel you’re at your most productive, and following through will help you create a writing ritual. Set goals in terms of the number of words or number of pages you should write every day, which will give you something to work toward. Having a goal also help you focus on the task at hand and get you in the right frame of mind. Stick to your writing schedule and be kind to yourself; your academic writing skills will improve over time. Writing rituals not only help in overcoming writer’s block in the moment, but will serve you well even in the future.

3. Follow the Pomodoro technique: As per the Pomodoro Technique, working in focused blocks of 25 minutes followed by a 5-minute break can help boost your productivity. For researchers wondering how to get rid of writer’s block, this is the perfect solution. Simply set small writing goals for yourself and plan your day to include bursts of focused writing time interspersed with quick breaks. This helps prioritize your tasks, clear your mind when needed, and refocus on the next task. Ticking off small tasks through the day helps you from feeling overwhelmed, boost your planning and academic writing skills and keeps you moving toward your goal.

How to get rid of writer’s block: Simple steps to get you started

While the key strategies above are great to overcome writer’s block and build your academic writing skills over time, it can often be difficult to put into action. So here are some tried and tested steps that have helped me in the past that can kick-start your journey.

Find yourself a sweet writing spot

One of the best ways to overcome writer’s block is defining your own space to work in. Check for a space that is comfortable, since you’ll likely spend a lot of time here, and also free from noise, distractions, and interruptions. While it’s great to have a devoted space to develop your academic writing skills, a quiet corner at home works just as well if you don’t have this option.

Don’t try to tackle everything in one go

Writing a research paper, especially one based on complex data, takes time, so pace yourself. Avoid trying to tackle everything at once. Plan to work on different sections of the paper at a time; this will allow you to focus as each section needs to be written and dealt with differently. Breaking your writing into smaller chunks helps in overcoming writer’s block and can eventually hone your academic writing skills so the process isn’t so daunting anymore.

Move between writing and editing

A great tip for those who are wondering how to get rid of writer’s block is going to and fro between writing and editing your paper. Feeling stuck when trying to draft a particular section of your article, simply move to editing another part of your research manuscript. What this does is clear your mind and ensure you are always moving forward. Moreover, finding and correcting issues with your work can give you the confidence boost you need to write again.

Find inspiration in other’s work

Sometimes concentrating on your research can overwhelm you, making you wonder what and how to include data in your research paper. Here, it may help to turn to previously published work for inspiration. Browse articles in your target journal for cues on writing styles, how and what data can be presented visually, and how articles with similar research methodology have been written. This can help you reimagine your own research and give you the impetus you need to overcome the writer’s block.

Ask for feedback when you are unsure

For students or those who are in the early stages of their research career, it can be difficult to understand how to deal with often large sets of complex data. One way to overcome writer’s block is seeking advice from your supervisor, mentor or peers. An outside-in perspective and feedback can help you review your academic writing skills. You can also explore trusted AI-powered tools such as Paperpal , which have been designed to refine your English language and hone your academic writing skills.

Join a writing group or researcher community

The life of a researcher can be an isolated one. A heavy workload and intense competition can make it difficult to cope with and overcome a writer’s block on your own. Join a writing group or a supportive researcher community, where you will find the support you need to tackle key challenges and get expert tips on, for instance, how to get rid of the writer’s block. Being part of a larger group is also a great opportunity to gain fresh ideas, be inspired, and share your own views and expertise on broader topics.

We trust the strategies and simple tips above will help you develop your academic writing skills and go a long way in overcoming any writer’s block so you can move forward more confidently.

Related Reads:

• Shortlisting a PhD Thesis Topic: 4 Useful Tips for Students 
• Proofreading Dissertations: Key Strategies to Optimize the Process
• How to Write a Research Paper Outline: Simple Steps for Researchers
• Self-Editing: The Pros and Cons of Editing Your Own Research Paper

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Overcoming Writer's Block: Strategies for Thesis Writing

Writer's block is a formidable adversary for many students undertaking the challenging task of writing a thesis. This creative paralysis can strike at any stage of the thesis process, from topic selection to the final editing phase. However, with the right strategies and mindset, you can conquer writer's block and make significant progress on your thesis. In this article, we'll explore effective methods to overcome writer's block and unleash your academic writing potential.

Understanding Writer's Block

Writer's block is a formidable adversary that can strike fear into the hearts of even the most accomplished writers, including those embarking on the journey of thesis writing. To overcome this common obstacle, it's essential to first understand what writer's block is and how it manifests.

Writer's block is not a one-size-fits-all phenomenon; it can manifest differently for each person and may vary in intensity and duration. At its core, writer's block is a creative roadblock, a condition where the ability to produce written work is impeded or hindered. It often manifests as an overwhelming sense of frustration, self-doubt, or anxiety related to the act of writing.

Here are some key aspects to consider when seeking to understand writer's block:

Psychological Barriers: Writer's block is not solely a result of laziness or procrastination. It is often rooted in deep-seated psychological factors. These may include fear of failure, perfectionism, self-criticism, or anxiety about meeting high academic standards. Recognizing that these psychological barriers are at the core of writer's block is an important step in addressing it.

Timing and Stages: Writer's block can strike at any stage of the writing process. Some individuals experience it at the outset, struggling to begin writing or even selecting a research topic. Others encounter it during the middle stages, where crafting complex arguments or analyzing data becomes a formidable challenge. Some even face it in the final stages, when editing and fine-tuning the thesis seem insurmountable.

External and Internal Factors: External factors, such as distractions, time constraints, or a lack of resources, can contribute to writer's block. However, internal factors, such as self-doubt, fear of criticism, or the pressure to meet high expectations, often play a more significant role. Recognizing the interplay between external and internal factors can help you address the root causes.

Perceived Lack of Ideas: A common manifestation of writer's block is the perception of having no ideas or the belief that one's thoughts lack value. This perception can paralyze the writing process. It's important to remember that initial ideas do not need to be perfect; they are a starting point that can be refined and expanded upon.

Fear of Evaluation: Many individuals fear the evaluation of their work, whether by peers, advisors, or academic committees. This fear of judgment can lead to self-censorship and hesitation in expressing ideas on paper. Recognizing that writing is a process of improvement and revision can alleviate this fear.

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Start with a clear plan.

One of the most effective strategies for overcoming writer's block during thesis writing is to begin with a clear and well-structured plan. Often, writer's block emerges when you're uncertain about what to write, where to start, or how to organize your thoughts. By creating a roadmap for your thesis, you can mitigate these uncertainties and set a solid foundation for your writing process.

Here's why starting with a clear plan is essential:

1. Reduces Anxiety and Overwhelm: Thesis writing can be a daunting task, especially when faced with a blank page. Without a plan, the enormity of the project can lead to anxiety and feelings of being overwhelmed. A clear plan breaks the task into manageable sections, making it less intimidating.

2. Provides Direction: A plan acts as a compass for your writing journey. It guides you through the research, structuring, and writing phases, ensuring that you stay on course. It helps you answer critical questions like what to include in each section, how to sequence your arguments, and where to place supporting evidence.

3. Sets Milestones: Thesis writing is a long-term endeavor, and writer's block often strikes when you focus solely on the final outcome. A well-structured plan includes milestones and deadlines for each phase of your thesis, providing a sense of progress and accomplishment as you reach each milestone.

4. Enhances Organization: Effective planning enhances the organization of your thesis. You can outline the main chapters, sections, and subsections, ensuring that your arguments flow logically and coherently. This reduces the likelihood of writer's block caused by disorganized thoughts.

5. Clarifies Research Goals: Your plan should clearly define your research goals and objectives. Knowing what you aim to achieve with your thesis helps narrow your focus and eliminates the uncertainty that often leads to writer's block.

To create a clear plan for your thesis, follow these steps:

1. Define Your Research Question: Start by formulating a clear and concise research question or thesis statement. This central question will guide your entire thesis and serve as the foundation for your plan.

2. Outline Your Chapters: Divide your thesis into chapters or sections, each addressing a specific aspect of your research. Common chapters include the introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion.

3. Break It Down: Within each chapter, break the content into smaller subsections or topics. Outline the key points you want to cover in each section. This level of detail will help you stay focused and prevent writer's block caused by uncertainty.

4. Set Deadlines: Assign realistic deadlines for completing each chapter or section of your thesis. These deadlines should be achievable and tailored to your personal writing pace.

5. Revise and Adapt: Your plan is not set in stone. As you progress, you may need to revise and adapt it based on your evolving understanding of the topic and research findings. Flexibility is key to maintaining a clear direction.

By starting your thesis journey with a clear plan, you'll have a roadmap to follow, reducing uncertainty and anxiety. This proactive approach can significantly diminish the impact of writer's block, allowing you to focus on the task at hand and make steady progress towards completing your thesis.

Set Realistic Goals

In the pursuit of overcoming writer's block during thesis writing, one of the most valuable strategies you can employ is setting realistic goals. Writer's block can be exacerbated when you set unattainable or overwhelming expectations for yourself. Instead, by establishing achievable objectives, you can create a sense of progress and maintain motivation throughout the writing process.

Here's why setting realistic goals is crucial:

1. Mitigates Overwhelm: The prospect of writing an entire thesis can be overwhelming. Setting smaller, attainable goals breaks the project into manageable pieces. Each goal becomes a milestone on your journey, making the process feel less daunting.

2. Enhances Focus: Clear and achievable goals provide a clear sense of direction. They help you concentrate on specific aspects of your thesis rather than grappling with the entire document. This focused approach reduces the likelihood of writer's block.

3. Builds Confidence: Achieving smaller goals boosts your confidence and motivation. Every completed objective reaffirms your progress and reinforces the belief that you can overcome challenges, including writer's block.

4. Maintains Consistency: Consistency is key to successful thesis writing. Realistic goals encourage regular writing sessions. By breaking the writing process into manageable chunks, you can maintain a steady rhythm and reduce the risk of prolonged writer's block.

To set and achieve realistic goals during thesis writing, consider these strategies:

1. Chunk Your Thesis: Divide your thesis into smaller components, such as chapters, sections, or subsections. Each of these chunks can become a goal on its own. For example, your goal might be to complete a specific section of your literature review or draft the methodology chapter.

2. Be Specific: Goals should be clear and specific. Instead of setting a vague goal like "work on my thesis," specify the exact task you intend to complete during a writing session. For instance, "write the introduction section" is a specific goal.

3. Consider Timeframes: Assign realistic timeframes to your goals. Determine how much time you can realistically devote to your thesis each day or week and set goals accordingly. Avoid overloading your schedule with overly ambitious goals.

4. Prioritize Goals: Not all goals are of equal importance. Prioritize your objectives based on the project's needs and deadlines. Focus on completing high-priority goals first, and allocate sufficient time and attention to them.

5. Celebrate Achievements: When you accomplish a goal, take a moment to celebrate your success. Acknowledge your progress, whether it's completing a chapter or drafting a challenging section. Rewarding yourself can motivate you to tackle the next goal.

6. Adapt as Needed: Be flexible with your goals. Circumstances may change, and unexpected challenges may arise. If you find that a particular goal is too ambitious or needs adjustment, don't hesitate to adapt it to better align with your current situation.

Setting realistic goals is a proactive approach to thesis writing that can significantly reduce the impact of writer's block. It transforms the writing process from an intimidating, amorphous task into a series of manageable steps. By breaking your thesis into achievable objectives, you'll not only make steady progress but also increase your resilience in the face of writer's block, ultimately bringing your thesis closer to completion.

Embrace Freewriting

When writer's block casts a shadow over your thesis writing journey, one liberating technique to consider is freewriting. Freewriting is an unstructured and spontaneous writing exercise that can help you break through the mental barriers that impede your progress. This creative practice encourages you to write without inhibition, judgment, or concern for grammar, structure, or coherence.

Here's why embracing freewriting can be an effective strategy for overcoming writer's block:

1. Removes Inhibitions: Writer's block often stems from self-doubt and the fear of producing subpar work. Freewriting encourages you to set aside these inhibitions and write freely, without censorship. This act of creative freedom can unlock your thoughts and ideas.

2. Sparks Creativity: Freewriting is a powerful tool for sparking creativity. By allowing your thoughts to flow without restriction, you can discover new insights, connections, and angles in your writing. This can lead to fresh perspectives and breakthroughs in your thesis.

3. Jumps Start the Writing Flow: Writer's block often results from an initial reluctance to put words on the page. Freewriting helps you bypass this initial resistance by encouraging you to write anything that comes to mind. Once you start writing, you'll often find it easier to continue.

4. Generates Ideas: Freewriting is a valuable technique for generating ideas. When you're stuck on a particular thesis section or topic, a freewriting session can yield a wealth of ideas and potential directions to explore. It's a brainstorming tool that can help you find your writing path.

To effectively embrace freewriting and harness its potential, follow these guidelines:

1. Set a Timer: Start by setting a timer for a specific duration, such as 10, 15, or 20 minutes. This time constraint helps create a sense of urgency and encourages continuous writing.

2. Write without Pausing: Once you begin, write continuously without pausing to edit, revise, or judge your writing. The goal is to keep your pen moving or your fingers typing throughout the session.

3. Don't Worry About Quality: Freewriting is not about producing polished prose. It's about generating raw material. Don't concern yourself with grammar, spelling, or coherence. Focus on capturing thoughts and ideas as they come.

4. Follow Your Thoughts: If your thoughts lead you in unexpected directions, follow them. Freewriting is an exploration of your mind, and you may uncover valuable insights by pursuing unexpected tangents.

5. Resist Self-Censorship: It's common to second-guess yourself during freewriting. Resist the urge to self-censor or delete sentences. Let your writing flow naturally, even if it seems disjointed or unclear.

6. Review and Extract: After your freewriting session, take some time to review what you've written. While much of it may be unstructured or disorganized, you may discover nuggets of valuable content, ideas, or phrases that can be incorporated into your thesis.

Embracing freewriting can be a transformative experience for overcoming writer's block. It allows you to break free from the shackles of perfectionism and self-doubt, fostering a more creative and fluid writing process. As you become more comfortable with freewriting, you'll find that it not only helps you overcome writer's block but also enriches the depth and breadth of your thesis writing.

Create a Writing Routine

When combating writer's block during thesis writing, establishing a consistent writing routine can be your most reliable ally. A writing routine provides structure, discipline, and a sense of purpose to your daily writing efforts. It helps you build momentum and minimize the impact of writer's block by making writing a habitual and manageable task.

Here's why creating a writing routine is a powerful strategy for overcoming writer's block:

1. Cultivates Discipline: Writer's block often thrives in an environment of inconsistency and procrastination. A writing routine instills discipline by setting specific times or periods for writing, making it more challenging to postpone or avoid your writing tasks.

2. Reduces Decision-Making: Deciding when to write or whether to write can be mentally taxing and lead to procrastination. With a routine in place, you eliminate the need to make these decisions daily. You simply follow the schedule you've established.

3. Creates a Writing Habit: Habits are powerful drivers of behavior. By consistently writing at the same time or in the same place, you train your brain to associate that time or space with productive writing. Over time, writing becomes second nature.

4. Manages Resistance: Writer's block often involves resistance to writing. A routine helps manage this resistance by making writing a non-negotiable part of your day. It becomes something you do routinely, like brushing your teeth.

To create an effective writing routine, consider these steps:

1. Identify Your Optimal Writing Time: Determine when you're most alert, focused, and creative during the day. This is your optimal writing time. Schedule your writing sessions during these periods to maximize productivity.

2. Set Specific Goals: Define clear and achievable daily or weekly writing goals. For example, you might aim to write a specific number of words, complete a section, or revise a chapter. Setting goals provides direction and purpose to your routine.

3. Choose Your Writing Environment: Select a quiet and comfortable place to write, free from distractions. Whether it's a home office, a library, or a coffee shop, your chosen environment should be conducive to focused writing.

4. Establish a Schedule: Dedicate specific blocks of time in your daily or weekly schedule for writing. Treat these appointments with the same seriousness as other commitments.

5. Eliminate Distractions: During your writing sessions, minimize distractions by silencing your phone, disconnecting from the internet, and notifying others that you're unavailable during these times.

6. Start Small: If you're new to a writing routine, start with manageable increments of time, such as 30 minutes or an hour. As you become accustomed to the routine, gradually increase the duration.

7. Be Flexible: While routine is important, it's also essential to be flexible. Life can throw unexpected challenges your way. If you miss a writing session, don't be overly critical of yourself; simply resume your routine the next day.

8. Track Your Progress: Keep a record of your writing achievements. This can include word counts, completed sections, or revisions. Tracking progress provides a tangible sense of accomplishment and motivates you to continue.

Break Down Tasks into Smaller Steps

When faced with the formidable challenge of thesis writing, writer's block can often be traced back to feeling overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the task. One effective strategy for overcoming this blockage is to break down the writing process into smaller, more manageable steps.

Here's why breaking down tasks into smaller steps can help you conquer writer's block:

1. Reduces Overwhelm: The prospect of writing an entire thesis can be daunting. Breaking it into smaller, digestible tasks makes the overall process feel less overwhelming. You can focus on one step at a time, making progress more achievable.

2. Enhances Clarity: Smaller steps provide clarity on what needs to be done. They act as a roadmap for your writing journey, guiding you through each phase of your thesis. This clarity reduces uncertainty and writer's block stemming from not knowing where to begin.

3. Encourages Consistency: Smaller tasks are easier to fit into your daily or weekly schedule. This encourages consistency in your writing efforts, as you can allocate specific time slots to complete individual steps. Consistency is a powerful antidote to writer's block.

4. Provides a Sense of Accomplishment: Completing smaller steps generates a sense of accomplishment. Each finished task reinforces the belief that you're making progress, boosting your motivation and confidence.

Here's how to effectively break down your thesis writing into smaller steps:

1. Outline Your Thesis: Start by creating a comprehensive outline of your thesis. Identify the major sections and chapters that need to be written. This outline will serve as the foundation for breaking down your tasks.

2. Divide by Chapters or Sections: Break your thesis into its constituent chapters or sections. For example, you might have chapters like Introduction, Literature Review, Methodology, Results, Discussion, and Conclusion. Each of these becomes a major task.

3. Set Milestones: Within each chapter or section, set specific milestones or objectives. For instance, in the Literature Review chapter, you might have milestones such as "summarize key research findings" or "analyze existing theories."

4. Create Daily or Weekly Goals: With your milestones in mind, set daily or weekly writing goals. These goals should be specific and achievable within the designated time frame. For example, "write 500 words on the Literature Review today."

5. Prioritize Tasks: Determine the order in which you'll tackle the tasks. Some may depend on others, so prioritize accordingly. Ensure that your tasks are logically sequenced to maintain flow and coherence in your thesis.

6. Use Task Management Tools: Consider using task management tools or apps to organize and track your progress. Tools like to-do lists, project management software, or calendar apps can help you stay on top of your tasks.

7. Review and Adjust: Regularly review your progress and adjust your goals as needed. If you find certain tasks are taking longer than expected, reassess and modify your schedule accordingly.

8. Celebrate Milestones: Celebrate your achievements when you complete each step or milestone. Acknowledge your progress and use these celebrations as motivation to continue.

Breaking down your thesis writing into smaller steps transforms a seemingly insurmountable task into a series of manageable actions. This approach not only minimizes the impact of writer's block but also provides a clear and structured path to completing your thesis. As you steadily check off each task, you'll gain confidence and momentum, ultimately conquering writer's block and achieving your thesis-writing goals.

Writer's block is a common obstacle in thesis writing, but it's not insurmountable. By understanding its nature and employing these strategies, you can break free from its grip and make steady progress on your thesis. Writing is a skill that can be developed and refined over time, and overcoming writer's block is a valuable step toward becoming a more confident and productive academic writer.

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What is a writer’s block?

The inability to begin or continue writing, one of the most dreaded parts of a thesis writing process. There is little worse than staring at a screen not knowing how to start or what to write next. Writer’s block as a condition does not actually exist, rather, it is a symptom of something else. Writer’s block could have several (or multiple) causes:

• The sense of failure You are afraid that what you write won’t be good enough, so you avoid writing at all. Or you are afraid of your supervisor’s disapproval.
• Understanding of the topic Writing a thesis requires both a broad and detailed understanding of the research topic. Writer’s block may be a sign that you have not assimilated the material well enough.
• Distractions You may not be able to focus on your thesis writing when you are in a bad mood, or when you feel angry, pressured or stressed.
• Exhaustion Endless hours sitting in front of a computer can be exhausting. You may simply be tired or burnt out

A writer’s block may, of course, be an indicator of a flaw in the system itself, i.e. not just in the writing task but in the writing process as a whole: ‘Impatience is the single most important predictor of writing blocks’ (Boice 1994: 28).

How to overcome a writer’s block?

What can you do to break out of your writer’s block? How can you help yourself and continue writing your thesis? Navigate the toggles below to find different strategies to battle a writer’s block.

Organise your ideas visually

Once you’ve got an idea of what you want to say, try to create a visual representation. You can draw a concept map to show how your ideas are related. You can do this on a piece of paper, or you could use online tools such as Mural. And this video explains how to get started with concept mapping (video by the University of Guelph  Library).

Verbalise your thoughts

We are often more comfortable expressing ourselves verbally than through writing, so use this to your advantage. Talk your ideas out with a friend or family member. This can help you structure your ideas and provide new insights on the topic.

(temporarily) Forget about academic language

People very often have difficulty writing, because they can’t seem to translate the ideas in their head into the appropriate academic language. Try to ignore the language and pretend you’re writing to your friend. Once your thoughts are down on paper, you can always revise them in an academic format.

Find your rhythm

Take advantage of your body’s natural rhythms. Schedule your writing for peak periods. For example, if you work best in the morning, then make sure that your mornings are devoted to writing and nothing else. Once you have determined and set your schedule, maintain it consistently.

See writing as a process

Accept that you will go through a series of revisions. Writing is a process: pre-writing, drafting, revising, editing. Accept that everything you write is not going to be, nor should it be, perfect. By focusing on your writing instead of the finished product, you can avoid getting caught up in the quest for perfection.

Add thinking time

Use waiting time (e.g., walking to class, waiting in line) to think about what you have to do in this chapter and how you want to continue. You’ll be surprised how much this extra thinking time can help. And make sure to take (active) breaks during your writing sessions. This can also help you gather your thoughts, develop your ideas and see things in a new light.

Find your spot

Have a certain place to work on your thesis that is the most productive for you. Some students work better at the library than they do at home. Some students want a quiet room while others want television or music on while working. Try to figure out what works best for you, and dedicate a space to writing your thesis.

Flip the writing order around

Don’t waste too much time on finding the perfect opening sentence for your thesis. Just start with the core of your writing: some background information and literature review, and then off to your own contributions. Once these thoughts are out there, it is much easier to write an introduction and conclusion that embody the main ideas of your piece.

Learn from examples

There is nothing wrong with being inspired by a great paper or a very clear thesis. When someone out there has a good and structured setting, it is an ideal opportunity to learn from it and use it as a basis for your own writing. Good examples can transform your final product. 

Let the ideas flow

Try not to correct yourself and reread too much while you are typing out your ideas. This will only slow you down. Emptying your head first helps to let the ideas flow in your writing. You’ll be proofreading anyway later on, so you’ll still have plenty of opportunities to correct and improve every sentence. However, having an entire part written will help you keep an eye on what really matters: the flow of the story, not a collection of perfectly written sentences.

Get support

Seek help early! Sometimes simply talking through a problem can help you find a solution. Pick people whom you know will be sympathetic, will listen and encourage you. Contact details can be found here .

Available workshops at Maastricht University

The Student Services Centre has a wide range of training, workshops and lectures available that can help you with your studies. Take a look at their website for more information , for example on the Fear of failure training.

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Writing a Dissertation: How to Overcome Writer’s Block

Writer’s block is one of the worst things that can happen to any writer. It gets even more frustrating when you are writing a PhD thesis and cannot figure out how to move on to the next bit. What can you do then? Should you simply wait for inspiration to strike? Not necessarily.  There are plenty of ways to beat writer’s block when writing a dissertation. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the best methods at your disposal.

Try to Be Spontaneous

When you have writer’s block, you tend to overthink what you want to write. You might find yourself trying to string a simple sentence together and be left with a blank Word Document instead. It helps to be spontaneous here. Instead of trying to write a perfect sentence, you should simply write whatever comes to your mind. This free-writing can remove the mental block that’s preventing you from writing and develop a flow.

You might hate what you wrote when you revisit your draft later, but you have got the basic ideas down. You can refine this draft and improve it until you are happy with what you wrote.

Find a Place Conducive to Writing

It can be difficult to write a thesis when you are surrounded by distractions. Things can get even harder if you add writer’s block to the mix. Your brain is just begging you to focus on other things instead and you are unlikely to get anything done.

Finding a quiet place that eliminates the distractions that usually surround you can be very helpful here. You can switch off your phone and focus on your writing until you have a good flow going. Most PhD students can benefit from a home office that allows them to write without being called away every 5 minutes to do other things.

Build It into Your Routine

As with other things, you need to make a habit of writing your thesis every day. For example, you can dedicate an hour or two every day to this activity. Building a routine is also helpful in warding off a potential writer’s block. Once your brain recognizes thesis writing as a daily task, it will immediately jump into a productive zone every time you sit down to write.

We also suggest choosing a time when you are most productive. For instance, if you are busy running errands in the middle of the day then trying to write your thesis at this time every day would defeat the purpose of setting a routine. Instead, you can choose a time when you aren’t doing anything and the distractions are at a minimum. Early mornings or late nights are usually ideal for this.

Choosing a specific spot for writing every day can also be helpful as it allows your brain to discern a pattern and associate this spot with thesis writing.

Declutter Your Mind

Writer’s block is often the byproduct of stress and a hectic routine. If you are struggling with something similar, then we suggest you give yourself a break and get some necessary R&R. Doing so can help you get rid of the things that are weighing you down. Once you are feeling better, you can take a stab at your thesis again and get back to writing. If you are distracted by personal or professional problems, then it helps to resolve these issues as best as you can before you return to your thesis.

Make Yourself Accountable to Someone

Some people work best under pressure. If you are one of them, you could benefit from an accountability partner or a coach who can check on your progress. The idea that you are answerable to someone can help you get over your writer’s block and focus on your thesis more. You can treat it as a daily priority instead of putting it on the backburner and doing other things instead.

If you plan to get an accountability partner, it will also help if you ask them to offer constructive criticism on your thesis. It’s important to strike some sort of balance here. You want to establish an amicable relationship with your accountability partner. His or her presence must help you focus, not diminish your self-confidence, make you anxious, and increase your stress levels. If this happens, be sure to have a conversation with the individual so you can re-evaluate the arrangement.

Wrapping It Up

Given the sheer length of a PhD thesis, it’s inevitable that you will run into writer’s block at some point or the other. However, the above-mentioned tips can help you overcome it. If you need more help with your PhD thesis, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Our professional editors can help you with thesis proofreading and editing and make sure your thesis is ready in time for submission!  Click here to learn more about the dissertation editing services at Edit911.

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Overcoming writer's block: three tips

Academics tend to use procrastination as an explanation for writer’s block, says Rowena Murray, but really, they are just avoiding asking for help

A common thread in conversations about how difficult academic writing can be is the persistent feeling of not being ready to write. Or not being good enough to write. While academics and PhD students might not call this writer’s block, they talk a lot about procrastination and perfectionism. They list displacement activities – checking email, Facebook, references, doing the laundry, cleaning the room, mowing the grass, watching it grow – and they know that all of these involve not writing.

It’s a recognised problem. In his book Understanding Writing Block, Keith Hjortshoj says: “Writing blocks are most common among advanced undergraduates, graduate students, scholars, and other professional writers who are not supposed to need help with writing and do not need the kinds of writing instruction offered in the typical composition class.”

But why is writer’s block so common among academics? Is talking about procrastination just denying the need for help or instruction? Academics and PhD students are supposed to know all they need to know, aren’t they?

Would a request for help be seen as a critical weakness? Or is writer’s block caused by writing-related anxiety? Or unrealistic demands, leading to impossible writing goals? Or the absence of agreed writing time, creating workloads where written outputs are defined but writing processes are invisible? Or it is isolation? We write alone, and we don’t talk about it.

Given this mix of forces – emotional, cognitive, behavioural, rhetorical – we should use three strategies to deal with, or avoid, writer’s block.

1) Set realistic goals and monitor the extent to which you achieve them

Obviously! Perhaps that is the problem – the belief that writing is too complex to have such a simple solution. Surely high quality academic writing cannot be reduced to goals? But that is the problem – choosing not to use strategies that help.

There is a misconception that writing cannot be defined in the same way as other academic tasks, in terms of sub-goals and sub-routines. Once that belief takes hold, writing seems impossible.

Instead, think about writing in terms of levels of quality. For example, for writing a chapter, working on one level could involve writing about all the content, but not clarifying the argument. Working on another level could mean writing to make the line of argument explicit, but not adding or cutting anything. Another could be aligning the chapter summary and the contents. Each layer is a realistic goal.

This is not about lowering expectations – though it may feel like that at first – but defining writing in terms of sub-tasks. Working on all these levels at once would be an unrealistic goal. Achieving a realistic goal reduces anxiety and what one academic calls the “feeling of constant low-grade failure”, and prevents writer’s block.

2) Create dedicated writing time – when writing is all you do

Writers are more focused and less anxious when they are not multitasking. Even checking references – crucial as that is in academic writing – literally puts a stop to writing. The key is to write unplugged. Switch off all devices, quit email and internet and ignore other people’s writing (books, articles etc) for a specific time period. Set a realistic writing goal for 90 minutes.

Why does everyone not do this already? Probably because of anxiety about citing others’ work properly, not missing someone out and general anxiety about the quality of the writing.

3) Do social writing – write with others.

As with other academic activities, interacting with others about ideas and plans is valuable.

Social writing involves writing with others – not collaborative writing, but writing with others in the room. Writing with others, talking about writing-in-progress and sharing writing goals and achievements helps us to understand writing better. Social writing generates realistic goal-setting and dedicated writing time.

It also makes writing part of work and life. It is no longer something we only do in solitude. Discussing writing is interesting. Social writing reduces the main cause of writer’s block – anxiety – and stimulates writing. With social writing, there may be no need for help or instruction after all.

Professor Rowena Murray is director of research in the school of education at the University of the West of Scotland. She is author of How to Write a Thesis (2011) and Writing for Academic Journals (2013).

More like this:

• Want to be taken seriously as a scholar in the humanities? Publish a monograph
• The key to a successful PhD thesis? Write in your own voice

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How To Overcome Writer’s Block when Writing Your Thesis

How To Overcome Writer’s Block when Writing a Thesis or Dissertation The only true cure for writer’s block is writing, as unhelpful or even frustrating as that thought may seem when the flood of ideas you want to communicate becomes lodged in an invisible but insurmountable dam every time you try to formulate your thoughts and research processes as sentences and paragraphs. Unfortunately, the search for perfection – the perfect words in the perfect order to achieve the perfect form of expression – is often responsible for writer’s block, and the more formal and important the writing happens to be, the more difficult it is to let ideas flow in written text. For students who are working on a thesis or dissertation, that document is usually the most formal and significant piece of writing they have yet tackled, a situation that can increase the chances of experiencing writer’s block even if you have never encountered this problem before. Fortunately, you need not and should not think of everything you have to write for your thesis or dissertation in such formal terms. In fact, some of the text you produce will never be seen by anybody but yourself, a reassuring thought that tends to render that writing less daunting. Jotting down your ideas about your research is a perfect example, and you can freely develop those ideas to see how they work out in text without the need to polish, prove, perfect or share them. Adding your own critical and reflective thoughts as you take notes from the sources you plan to use to support your research also provides an opportunity for spontaneous writing, and so does recording early analyses of the results of any tests or trials you conduct as part of your research. The kind and amount of preliminary writing you do for your thesis or dissertation will depend on the nature of your study, of course, but whatever you choose to write down will likely prove intellectually useful when you begin to draft your thesis or dissertation. It will also help prevent writer’s block in the future by providing you with some text to begin with when you tackle the more formal presentation of your research and ideas. PhD Thesis Editing Services Once you sit down to draft your thesis or dissertation, it can be productive to bring a little of that informal spontaneity to the task. Keep in mind that perfection is rarely attainable in any writing project, and certainly not in a first draft. Some parts of your thesis will certainly prove easier to write than other parts will, and some days your writing will be better than it is on other days, but you can always return to your text and make revisions. Indeed, the feedback of your supervisor and other mentors will often necessitate changes, so a strategy that prioritises the process of writing and sacrifices the ideal of perfection in order to enable the progress of your work can be extremely effective. Such an approach should not encourage you to ignore essential aspects of your writing, but it can stop you from worrying about every little detail at too early a stage and therefore allow you to move ahead with your work. Remember (without panicking) that worrying about not writing will not solve the problem. It is, in fact, as counterproductive as worrying about not sleeping when suffering from insomnia. Instead, channel your energy into an active process of writing with the recognition that such a process can achieve what may have seemed impossible as you sat with fingers poised waiting for that perfect first sentence to march across the screen.

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PhD Success: How to Write a Doctoral Thesis provides guidance for students familiar with English and the procedures of English universities, but it also acknowledges that many theses in the English language are now written by candidates whose first language is not English, so it carefully explains the scholarly styles, conventions and standards expected of a successful doctoral thesis in the English language.

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Writing a doctoral dissertation is, according to those who have done it, one of the most grueling experiences of student life. After three years of coursework at the highest level in a given field, writing a dissertation takes at least another year if not 2 or 3.

It’s safe to say that just about every student working on a dissertation experiences writer’s block, the dreaded condition in which words seem to be jammed somewhere between one’s brain and fingers. This article suggests various steps that may ward off writer’s block along with some ways to inspire writers and smooth the way out of the paralysis.

Clear the Decks

“Clear the decks” is an expression that comes from naval warfare. When clearing the decks, all loose objects on the deck of a ship would be removed or fastened down so that they wouldn’t become an obstacle while sailing. The Cambridge Dictionary definition of clear the decks is “to remove unnecessary things so that you are ready for action.”

Although writer’s block during the dissertation process is a common problem, it may be necessary to identify whether or not the block is being caused by other unidentified baggage in one’s mind. Here are some categories to work through when clearing the figurative decks.

Emotional and Personal Distractions

“When we are caught up in a destructive emotion, we lose one of our greatest assets: our independence.” – Dalai Lama

Everyone who has been there knows the difficulty of maintaining good relationships with friends and family while in graduate school. Personal relationships will be there throughout a future career and life after graduate school. They need to be a top priority alongside the dissertation process. If there are personal or emotional distractions in life that can be handled in a timely way, identify and address them before attempting to write.

What seems like writer’s block may just be something niggling in the back of one’s mind that needs to be taken care of. Emotional or personal issues that are more complex and can’t be fixed in the short term still deserve attention through counseling and methods of focus and relaxation to clear one’s mind before writing.

Other emotional distractions include any pent-up guilt and frustration at not having progressed as far as one would like in the dissertation process. These negative energies will only prolong the time it takes to write the dissertation. Anger at oneself can be channeled into energy toward the ideas and information that one is trying to express.

If one has reached the point of hopelessness, remembering that many others are and have felt the same way may help trigger the ascent into productive writing. Talking with an advisor, friend, or colleague may assist one in gaining perspective.

Procrastination

“You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.” -Abraham Lincoln

Although procrastination is self-defeating, especially when tackling something like a doctoral dissertation, rumor has it that more than one graduate student has procrastinated. The discrepancy seems impossible, but graduate students have even been known to complain of writer’s block while procrastinating! The advice appears basic, however, make a rule: Don’t tell yourself you have writer’s block unless actually in the process of attempting to write.

For example, don’t spend three nights in a row at a bar discussing your topic with colleagues and complain on the fourth day of writer’s block. Clear the decks by using proper time management to have uninterrupted chunks of time to write.

Other Duties

“The best way to keep one’s word is not to give it.” – Napolean Bonaparte

Other areas in which one may need to clear the decks before beginning or getting back to a dissertation can range from small to large. Some examples might be something that was promised, another project, correspondence, or responsibilities as a graduate student, such as grading papers. People can experience a mental block if they have neglected something that they promised someone, even if fulfilling that promise would only take as little as 30 minutes.

Because graduate students are sometimes married, maybe working, and also may have a friend or two, they must be careful about what they promise. However, even just explaining the inability to follow through may help to clear one’s mind. If the responsibility is urgent, get to it right away, and the dissertation may just begin to flow again. If one promised a small thing such as playing with a daughter or son or reading them a book, by all means, do it!

Setting Sail

Beginnings have often been said to be complicated. At least from the time of Aristotle, 2,300 years ago, who first gave us the saying, “Well begun is half done,” humans have found it challenging to begin. Whether one is beginning at the very beginning (a very good place to start) of writing a dissertation or trying to come at the project with a fresh beginning and new point of view, below are some tips for getting off the ground, hopefully with a running start.

Dissertation Topic

“Sometimes a scream is better than a thesis .” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Carefully choosing a topic can seriously hinder future writer’s block throughout the dissertation process. It’s easy in the academic world to look around at what other scholars are writing about, especially famous scholars, and base one’s dissertation topic on what is interesting to readers or colleagues. Though this may be an excellent way to discover an interest, it may also confuse one’s natural tendencies.

One of the most important things to consider when choosing a topic is that it interests you. Nothing portends writer’s block more than boredom with the subject matter. Remember that the topic of one’s dissertation not only consumes three to five years of life but also that the subject one chooses what one becomes an expert in.

A future career may be based on the expertise gained while writing a dissertation, so make sure the topic is an interesting one to you! On the other hand, it is also essential to be able to keep some mental distance with a topic to address it free from emotional distraction.

Choosing a topic that is not too esoteric can also be a benefit to the ease of writing a dissertation. Being able to access a sufficient amount of literature on a topic will become an aid to a steady flow of information. Students should not have to spend an excessive amount of time looking for sources or waiting for one’s second source to ship from the Falkland Islands.

Read! In preparation for writing a dissertation, read primary literature, methodology, and research methods, more recent studies, including journal articles, and classic studies in the chosen area of research area. While reading, along with noting down all bibliographic information, also take notes under subject headings. When facing writer’s block halfway through the writing process, referencing those notes may just clear the path toward free-flowing lucidity again. This leads us to how good research can help to boost creativity.

“If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?” – Albert Einstein

Writer’s block may be caused not only by being unable to get the information out but by not having enough information to give. Researching for a doctoral dissertation is the highest level of research a student does. It is labor-intensive and time-consuming.

Researching for a dissertation takes order and method and requires the writer to have exhausted all of the information available in his or her subject. This is probably why it’s a good idea to choose a narrow topic! Some researchers may conclude that their subject is too broad and decide to narrow it.

Being afraid that one hasn’t researched enough can cause some pretty severe writer’s block since the nagging suspicion is always there that the information being written about is not entirely accurate or up to date. Not trying to cut corners or rush the process of research may save time in the end. Also, the process of writing is partially a discovery that requires one to stop and consider/research new information before continuing. The worst that can happen by researching further is to find that one already knows a topic thoroughly. This should aid the writer in feeling confident, which may just help writer’s block.

On the one hand, not doing enough research can cause writer’s block. On the other hand, doing too much research may also cause writer’s block. It is inevitable that some, if not much of the research done before and during the writing of a dissertation, will not be used for the dissertation itself. This shouldn’t be discouraging since those writing a dissertation will more than likely go on to do more research and writing. They will probably enjoy a lifetime of it.

The study that isn’t relevant to the thesis of the dissertation can be filed away for future use. One’s mental faculties will be less likely to get bogged if research completed is neatly arranged and streamlined.

Down in the Doldrums

“It’s OK to be down in the dumps – just don’t stay there too long.” – Catherine DeVrye

Along with many other sailing idioms, down in the doldrums is one we use quite frequently. The doldrums, according to Dictionary online is “an equatorial region of the Atlantic Ocean with calms, sudden storms, and light, unpredictable winds.” The expression “down in the doldrums” came to be used by sailors to describe a situation in which no wind was present. This meant that they were going nowhere and were stuck at sea for an indefinite period. Some Ph.D. students have felt the frustration of these sailors in a similar way. However, since sailors had no way of generating wind, the student in the middle of a dissertation project may be at an advantage. Here are a few ideas, besides choosing a good topic, sound research, note-taking, and clearing the decks to get the wind back into one’s sails and move forward.

Remembering the Big Picture

Taking a few moments to remember the big picture can cause one to remember why they are doing a dissertation. Because a dissertation project is so massive, getting overwhelmed is pretty standard. As with any big project, remembering why one tackled the project to begin with can become a new inspiration. Writing those reasons down before beginning is a good idea since that will make them easier to refer to later on.

Along the same lines, re-visiting the overall picture and main ideas of the dissertation may help to jump-start a writer’s block. For this purpose, writing an outline is a great way to see the big picture quickly and also keeps one on track.

Take a Break

Some people are overachievers. Not struggling with procrastination, these students may need to follow the good old-fashioned advice of taking a break every once in a while. Taking a break when a deadline is approaching may just mean taking a walk, visiting the library (for overachievers, this may be dangerous!), or going out for a coffee. If more time is available, take a whole evening to kick back and distract oneself by watching a movie, going out to eat, or just going to bed early. Set the alarm for an early start and work when fresh.

At the early stages of a dissertation, when a good deal has already been written, a more extended break or short vacation may be what is needed to be refreshed and tackle writing again. Graduate students have been known to finish a dissertation in good time by only working 8 – 5 every day. A great topic, sound research, and diligence deserve a break. Don’t let other’s dissertation horror stories become yours; break the trend!

Just write something!

This is often the advice of dissertation advisors around the country. Keep writing! Most people experience a feeling of inadequacy while writing. A fresh look at what one wrote previously looks much better than it felt while writing it. What may have felt like a lot of nonsense going on to the page often stands up pretty well under later scrutiny. Even if the writing has to be scratched later, the habit of keeping the fingers flying on the keys keeps the engine humming even while idle.

Talk to a friend or advisor

One may know all the right answers and steps, but when it comes right down to it, he or she is to close to a situation to see clearly. This may happen through fatigue, depression, or simply being overwhelmed by the size of the dissertation project. Talking to a friend in or out of academia (sometimes those outside the vortex of dissertation writing may have some great ideas and perspectives!) gives one a view that is cool and objective.

Talking with an advisor is always helpful. They are the experts who have not only gone through this process, maybe more than once if they have written any books, but have also helped many students through the process. A wise student will take the advice of their advisor.

Use the Pressure

This last paragraph offers a last resort for those whose deadline is looming or has loomed and has no alternative but to finish their dissertation under pressure. This situation could be worse as long as one has not skipped the steps of a good topic and excellent research.

Leonard Bernstein, a pianist, composer, and one of the most famous conductors of the 20th century, sums it up well: “To achieve great things, two things are needed; a plan and not quite enough time.” Use the pressure as an intense fuel to see yourself to the finish line. To finish with another sailing analogy, “sail close to the wind.”

Sailing close to the wind, according to Wiktionary, means to “sail in a direction close to that from which the wind is blowing, but still making headway.” Sailing into the wind would not allow the boat to make progress, so sailors would “close haul” or tighten the sails and sail at 22 degrees to the wind, which would move the ship forward. Sailing close to the wind was considered dangerous since a shift in the wind was dangerous.

The moral of the analogy is to use the pressure as a wind in the sails, but don’t push your luck, just finish it!

Quick Take Tips for Writer’s Block

• Take a Break: Step away from the project, relax, and come back to it with a clear head.
• Brainstorm: Use a mind-mapping tool or brainstorming techniques to generate ideas.
• Read or Listen to Something: Read a book, listen to a podcast, or watch a movie to get your creative juices flowing.
• Talk It Out: Have a conversation with a friend or colleague about the project.
• Change the Location: Get out of your comfort zone and write in a different environment.
• Try Freewriting: Set a timer for 15 minutes and just write whatever comes to mind without worrying about structure or content.
• Do Research: Read articles, watch videos, or talk to experts in the field to get new ideas and perspectives.

“ It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – Nelson Mandela

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Writer’s Block – 4 easy ways to overcome writer’s block

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Inhaltsverzeichnis

• 1 Definition: Writer’s Block
• 3 Causes of Writer’s Block
• 4 How to Overcome Writer’s Block
• 5 Writer’s Block and Your Thesis  
• 6 In a Nutshell

Definition: Writer’s Block

Writer’s block is a condition in which the writer loses the ability to come up with new content. This condition is the result of numerous factors and can last anywhere from a couple of hours to a few months, or even years. When a writer experiences writer’s block, he or she is be unable to produce any new or original content during that period of time. Writer’s block is not only an issue for authors, it is a problem faced by many college and university students when they are working on their thesis.

For quite some time now, writer’s block has been a hot subject among college and university students. While some students argue that it doesn’t exist, some agree that it is there and they have no idea how to deal with it. Fortunately, this article will give an in-depth analysis of writer’s block. It will answer some of the frequently asked questions and, most importantly, give you some proven methods on how to overcome it.

Helpful tip: Don’t stress out, here’s how you can easily come up with research questions easy.

Is there such a thing as writer's block?

Yes, writer’s block is a major problem that quite a few students face every day. Most people who experience writer’s block have no idea what it is. Often, they just feel stuck creatively and find themselves lacking inspiration for their academic writing .

How long does writer's block last?

Writer’s block doesn’t have a time frame. If you are lucky, it will last only for an hour or two. However, for some people, it can go on for much longer ranging from days to weeks. Unfortunately, having writer’s block is not a reasonable reason for handing in your thesis late. A tip on how to overcome writer’s block is to start by coming up with your research questions . This way, you should be able to get some inspiration flowing.

Is there a particular cause of writer's block?

No, writer’s block has a number of causes. Some are due to the nature of the writer’s work, while others are due to external factors such as stress and fatigue, among others. You can try to fight off writer’s block by reading academic writing blogs (like you’re doing now) or reading thesis, essay or term paper examples .

Does writer's block affect everyone?

No, some people never experience it, while others are prone to it. You just need to understand your writing style, what inspires you and the requirements of your academic essay . It’s important that you’re interested in the topic you’re writing about. If you find your topic boring, then this may be a cause for your writer’s block.

Are there ways I can overcome writer's block?

Yes, there are numerous ways to overcome writer’s block. You may need to simply have a break and go for a walk, or you may need to switch up your writing schedule. Whatever it is, we’ll help you get to the root cause of your writer’s block. We share some tips on how to overcome this condition in detail below, in order to help you expedite your academic writing process.

I can’t write anything when distracted; is that also considered writer's block?

Yes, in fact, distraction is one of the main causes of writer’s block, especially when you have to work on important papers like a thesis . Other causes like stress, health issues and external pressures can also be a reason that you’re facing writer’s block. However, these causes will be discussed in detail later in this article.

Can I work through writer's block?

No, you are actually not advised to write through a writer’s block. That is one of the worst ways to overcome the condition when writing an article or research paper . By continuing to write when uninspired, you risk producing inadequate content and having to rewrite it later, hence wasting time that you may not have.

Causes of Writer’s Block

• Exhaustion As a student, you should be aware that you cannot operate at optimum performance for long hours without rest. If you do this, your brain will become fatigued, and it will lose its capability to think and supply you with fresh ideas. This is one of the main reasons why most people tend to face writer’s block during their studies.
• Health conditions There are a number of health conditions that tend to meddle with your brain and diminish your ability to come up with new content. Some of the most prevalent health conditions that usually bring about writer’s block include diabetes and underactive thyroid. Once you start feeling like your cognitive functions are lessening, make an appointment with your health professional to see if there is some underlying condition.
• Distractions Apart from exhaustion, distraction is another common cause of writer’s block among students. Most students can’t just come up with new content when they are surrounded by distractions. This is because they have trained their brains to handle one task at a time. This means that whenever a distraction comes up, their brains will close down.
• Pressure Many students tend to wait until the deadline is looming before they start working on a given assignment. The pressure of finishing and submitting their work on time tends to build up and overwhelms the brain. This is when writer’s block creeps in. Some may have such a hard time that they cannot create anything, no matter how hard they try.
• Fear of the task at hand Sometimes, you will find yourself experiencing writer’s block due to the overwhelming nature of the task at hand. For example, the mere thought of writing a Bachelor’s thesis or Master’s thesis can cause the brain to freeze up.

TIP: Sometimes you have a writer’s block because you don’t know how to start your thesis. This article will help you: How to write an introduction

How to Overcome Writer’s Block

If one of the above-mentioned causes applies to you and you are dealing with writer’s block, try not to let yourself feel exasperated. The list below covers some methods you can use to overcome writer’s block.

What NOT to Do to Overcome Writer’s Block

There are numerous methods that a student experiencing writer’s block might try to overcome it. If you have been using any of the methods below to overcome writer’s block, then you have been using the wrong approach.

Avoid distractions

If you are the type of student who can never write when distracted, give in. Go ahead and find a quiet place that has no distractions. This way, you will be able to regain your concentration and start coming up with quality and original content.

Avoid working under pressure

If you are given your assignment early, don’t wait for the deadline to come around before you to start fumbling with it. This will just make you forget all the information you were supposed to write about. Instead, get started before the pressure builds up. This will enable you to overcome your writer’s block or rather, avoid attracting the condition in the first place.

Go for a walk

Sometimes the best way to relax your body, mind and soul is by going for a walk. Just take some time alone and enjoy the fresh air as you wander through the campus. You will be amazed at how something as simple as a walk will work miracles. At the end of the day, you will be able to work through your writing assignment with no problems whatsoever.

Switch your writing hours

If you tend to do your writing assignments late at night, try switching the time. Wake up early in the morning and start writing. This will enable you to create great content without experiencing writer’s block. It is by far the best way to get your essays or thesis written to perfection.

Writing through it

Trying to write through writer’s block is one of the worst approaches. This method is merely a waste of time. Once your brain stops reasoning, you can’t force it to produce something original. Even if you do produce something, the quality of your content will be very poor.

Overexertion

The last thing you should do is overexert yourself with the aim of getting different results. Instead of exerting yourself, take a break, otherwise you might end up with a headache, and this will leave you completely exhausted.

Writer’s Block and Your Thesis  

Students quite often experience writer’s block while they are working on their master’s thesis or bachelor’s thesis. This is because during this period, most of the above causes present themselves. You might find yourself unable to write a single paragraph, never mind an entire page. The only way to overcome it is by trying to avoid the elements that brought it on in the first place.

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In a Nutshell

Writer’s block is a condition that makes the brain to lose its ability to come up with new content. Some of the factors that cause the condition include exhaustion, a health condition, distractions, pressure and fear of the task at hand.

The condition usually affects those people who need to develop original content, such as students. If you are afflicted by this condition, you can overcome it by avoiding distractions, going for a walk, switching working hours and avoiding working under pressure. There are some people who tend to write through the condition or overexert themselves in order to overcome it. Those two methods are hugely discouraged.

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Overcoming Writer’s Block for your Dissertation/Thesis: A Short Guide for Academics and Students Alike

Writing a dissertation or thesis is a mammoth challenge. Many students encounter writer’s block at some point during the writing process, which can induce frustration or even straight-out panic.

Writer’s block at this level has less to do with a lack of ability and more to do with perfectionism and procrastination. Overcoming writer’s block is definitely possible, especially once you understand what might be holding you back.

A great resource for those struggling with writer’s block is (surprise!) Understanding Writing Blocks by Keith Hjortshoj. In particular, Hjortshoj addresses the feeling of inadequacy that can cause an otherwise capable academic to freeze in his or her tracks:

“Writing blocks are most common among advanced undergraduates, graduate students, scholars, and other professional writers who are not supposed to need help with writing and do not need the kinds of writing instruction offered in the typical composition class.”

In other words, many students might feel ashamed that they’re having problems with writing and productivity. Sound familiar?

How about these situations?

• You don’t feel “ready” or “prepared enough” to write. You might not feel like you’ve read enough. For those in the sciences, you may not have ever had to write long papers, unlike your colleagues in the humanities.
• You might also feel a discrepancy between the standards you hold yourself to and your actual performance. Confronting this difference can be daunting, since it’s difficult to own up to one’s shortcomings.
• You’re finding it difficult to adapt to the style of writing or conventions within your field.
• You’ve had negative past writing experiences. Perhaps you’ve had teachers or peer editors who have been overly critical or have given you hurtful feedback.

Once you’ve figured out what feelings might be causing the block, what should you do to? Try one or two of these remedies.

• Set goals and track yourself

Cutting overwhelming tasks down to size is an effective way to gain momentum. It sounds simple, but simple solutions aren’t necessarily easy to execute.

Consider dividing your writing into different types of tasks. Completing a chapter involves filling it with content, making your argument clear, fitting it into the outline of your entire paper, creating transitions, checking your citations and data, and editing. That’s too much for many people to do all at once. Instead, tell yourself, “For this chapter, I’ll get the basic content outline down; no editing, no argumentation” and move on from there.

• Schedule time purely for writing

We’ve talked about creating a writing ritual before. It’s important to shield yourself from distractions, even from checking every single citation and figure as you go. Make time to just write, since ideas are useless if they reside only in your brain. If you’ve never done this before, don’t try to sit for two hours straight off the bat. Try for 30 minutes and build up from there.

• When you see a gap in your research or become stuck, seek help

Many students with perfectionistic tendencies panic when they get stuck or find that their research is lacking. They might be reluctant to ask for help, but honestly, that’s what a good thesis or doctoral advisor is for. The sooner you reach out, the sooner you’ll resolve the problem. Additionally, don’t forget to ask your peers for help or advice. You might find that others are in the same boat and be able to identify ways to help each other.

• Look at similar dissertations or papers

Speaking of looking to others for help, you might want to look at existing dissertations in your field. You’ll see where you’re doing well and what you could improve. In many cases, seeing finished products can boost your confidence by showing you that you aren’t as behind as you think. This tip is especially handy if you haven’t yet started and are looking to write your proposal, since you’ll see what’s manageable and what’s unwieldy in terms of scope.

• Fight perfectionism by letting go

Perfectionism can paralyze you. You’re worried you won’t meet some standard and won’t begin out of fear. Or you might delay yourself with constant rewrites and re-reading, which can create a sense of hopelessness. However, realize that your thesis committee will question your arguments no matter how “perfect” your work is. You could improve your paper for a lifetime and still get a ton of questions and critiques. When you feel that a paper is 95% good enough, and your content, data, and arguments are solid, it’s time to let it go.

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Dissertation Genius

Overcoming Writer’s Block

February 9, 2015 by Dissertation Genius

How Writer’s Block Can Damage Your Dissertation Progress

Writing the dissertation requires preparation of the dissertation content and the dissertation writer (yourself). When writing your dissertation, you must gather your dissertation ideas, organize your dissertation ideas, and transfer them to paper or the computer. While it sounds like as simple task, taking these steps in writing your dissertation is not as easy as it sounds. When writing the dissertation, there are many places to get “stuck.” The transition of dissertation ideas to dissertation writing can be a difficult transition. Many students get stuck at the dissertation writing stage.

Dissertation writing is a prime place for dissertation-related writer’s block. Once dissertation-related writer’s block set in, overcoming writer’s block in the dissertation can be difficult without help. Many students have dissertation writer’s block because they are unable to put their dissertation ideas and thoughts onto paper and they are at a loss when it comes time to write various dissertation sections. Without help from a dissertation coach, it is not easy to transfer your dissertation thoughts into words and writing. Dissertation writing can be overwhelming and like an undoable task. When students feel overwhelmed by dissertation writing, writer’s block can easily rear its ugly head. A dissertation coach will provide you with the dissertation writing assistance you need to prevent writer’s block. A dissertation coach can also give you the strategies you need for overcoming writer’s block. There are also several steps you can take to overcome writer’s block.

How You Can Help Yourself Overcome Writer’s Block: Dissertation-related Strategies

When you are faced with writer’s block, there are several steps you can take to get back on track writing your dissertation. These dissertation related strategies can help in overcoming writer’s block and make it easier to begin and keep working on your dissertation writing.

Use Your Own Style

Try to use your own dissertation writing style. The writing style you have used as a graduate student has obviously worked in the past—especially if you have made it to the dissertation stage. Go back to your writing style when overcoming writer’s block in the dissertation. Use your style to organize and integrate information into your dissertation writing. If you are feeling blocked in dissertation writing, use what worked for you in the past. If you find this overcoming writer’s block strategy difficult to use, get help from a dissertation consultant and try the next overcoming writer’s block in the dissertation strategy. A dissertation coach will help you revive your writing style and get back to the dissertation writing basics!

Get Rid of Negative Feeling

In overcoming writer’s block it’s important to get rid of those negative dissertation-related feelings you associate with writing. You must get rid of any negative dissertation-related writing feelings before you sit down to write your dissertation. If you are feeling tired, angry, anxious, or upset when you sit down to write your dissertation, you will certainly experience writer’s block. Do something to get rid of those negative dissertation-related emotions before you begin writing the dissertation. A dissertation coach can teach you how to let go of those negative emotions so you can begin writing the dissertation. One overcoming writer’s block strategy you might try is to write in a dissertation journal before starting your dissertation writing. This way you can dump all your negative dissertation thoughts and dissertation anxiety so there is space to get back to your dissertation writing. This can be effective in overcoming dissertation-related writer’s block. Contact a dissertation coach for additional assistance.

Using your Dissertation Notes

If you are experiencing dissertation writer’s block, take time to review your dissertation notes or dissertation outline. This will help remind you what the goal of your dissertation is and guide you in getting some dissertation writing on paper. Write a little for your dissertation, then stop and reflect on your dissertation writing. This should help overcome dissertation-related writer’s block. If not, get dissertation writing help from a dissertation consultant.

Start Writing What You Know

When overcoming writer’s block in the dissertation, it’s good to start writing what you know. Start writing the dissertation section or chapter you feel most comfortable with. If you are feeling blocked, try writing at least a half page. It’s good to write just to write when overcoming writer’s block in the dissertation. You may even have some dissertation ideas you can revise.

Professional help from a dissertation coach can motivate you and help you conquer dissertation-related writer’s block. Your dissertation coach will get you out of the dissertation writing slump and cheer you on to the dissertation finish line.

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