There you are, in the middle of a thick jungle. The wilderness weighs on the paths before you like a blanket. You walk, cautious but steady, focussing right on the landing ahead.

Suddenly, out of the bushes jumps the monster of your dreams. You scream, push forward with your head. But, it doesn’t budge, standing like a wall in front of you.

If this situation sounds far-fetched yet oddly familiar to you, then all I’d like to say is- Welcome aboard, writer!

Writer’s block is no less than a monster, blocking the brain’s way to brilliance. Oh, the number of times we got stuck in the middle of a story, with no way forward. When ideas desert us, leaving us alone with a block standing so high, you just can’t climb over it, so heavy, you just can’t make it move.

But pushing through isn’t the only option maybe.

1. Distract the brain

The monster will just stand there leering at you. The more you try to tackle him, the more he will resist. Let go. Take a walk. Listen to music. Eat some chocolates. Binge on Netflix. A new idea will come running down the path.

2. Free write

Send out little army men of your own. Sit down in peace and just write about anything that comes into your mind. Describe the bruschetta you had for lunch, or the man who was drooling in the bus. Your mind will breathe and you will forget the block.

3. Spew Curses

My English teacher had made us say the word ‘bloody’ (it was in the poem, my teacher was no freak!) with as much vehemence as we could muster. I remember blood curdling shouts of the word all over the classroom. And boy, how amazing did it feel. Cursing can make you feel lighter, free your mind from the weight of the block. So hit that giant with those angry cusses, but make sure you don’t have a whoops moment with them.

4. Go back to old methods

The might of the pen is nowadays not felt, what with the laptops stealing the limelight. But a pen and a notebook may take you to your zone and get new ideas bubbling in your brain.

Try it.

5. Break old habits

Every day you write when the clock strikes noon, you’ve been doing this for years. What if the monster was observing your every move and that’s why lay in wait for you on that path at that time? Break out of the routine. Write at midnight next time. Sit at a new place to write. You never know when and where inspiration will strike.

6. Do not give up if you can’t find a way

The landing is clear to you, you can see a rocky way to reach it around the monster. But you are still searching for something better. Is it because you are afraid your readers may not like the path you take? Focus on what you want your story to be. The right path will come when you start your way on what you see. Inspiration will hit you, stop editing your every word. Just write and write till you get it right.

The person who succeeds is the person who can pick himself up every time he falls. Relentless determination in your hands and you can tackle any monster and pose on its back.