Breaking Through Writer’s Block: Unlocking Your Voice
We’ve all been there.
Pen poised over paper, staring at taunting, empty lines. Fingers hovering above the keyboard, like vultures waiting to strike—only to remain suspended, motionless, as inspiration evades us.
I’ve been there, too.
I’ve scrolled through Instagram for inspiration, ordered "crystal-infused" pens from Amazon, hoping they'd help me channel my message. And after countless false starts, I still had nothing.
So, if you’re stuck on that same merry-go-round, here are some strategies to break free.
1. Connect to the Divine
Before anything else, center yourself.
- Breathe.
- Ask for the message.
- Clear your mind.
- Call in your angels.
- Call in the soul of your book.
Activate your energy with physical intention—tap your ears, forehead, lips, throat, and the crown of your head.
Declare: "I humbly and boldly choose to receive."
Then, ask yourself: "What is the message of this writing?"
Listen. Trust. Let the answers come.
2. Jumpstart the Writing Process
If the words won’t come, copy something.
- Rewrite an old journal entry, poem, or even the Declaration of Independence if necessary.
- Describe your surroundings—the objects in your room, what you're wearing, what you did yesterday.
- Get bold: Write about the best sex you’ve ever had… or the kind you wish you would.
The simple act of writing can wake up your brain and summon inspiration.
3. Engage the Senses & Deepen Your Descriptions
Writing should transport the reader. One way to do this is by painting vivid, sensory-rich imagery.
Instead of:
- "The chair."
Describe: - "The plush, velvet green antique chair."
- "The cold, steel folding chair."
Instead of:
- "I felt sad."
Describe: - "A raw ache settled in my stomach, heavy and unrelenting. Tears pushed past my lashes, spilling as if my body needed to purge the weight of emotion itself."
Instead of:
- "The lights were on."
Describe: - "The buzzing of the fluorescent fixture was subtle but persistent, its bluish-white glare making my eyes ache by day’s end."
- "The warm glow of the lamp bathed the room in firelight tones, shadows retreating into the plush folds of the easy chairs."
Engage perspective shifts. Don’t just describe from the usual viewpoint—look at the scene from above, below, through a window.
Example:
Instead of: "She saw the clouds drifting by."
Try:
- "The billowy clouds tumbled over themselves like cotton balls rolling down a hill. Far below, she gazed up at their slow-motion descent."
- "The humid air, thick with moisture, clung to the leaves of the magnolia tree, coaxing its fragrance into the stillness of the afternoon."
- "The sleek sedan zipped by, its polished roof reflecting the sky—white gumdrop clouds skimming past in an illusion of a speeding sky."
Notice how each description evokes a different tone?
4. Bring Characters to Life
A character is more than just a stereotype.
Instead of writing: "She was the mean girl."
Describe through action and detail:
"Golden curls cascaded over her shoulders, framing a flawless expression of detached superiority. The designer handbag on her arm matched the leather heels that made no sense in a school cafeteria. Her $85 lash extensions flickered with well-practiced disdain, an unconscious performance of dominance. But beneath the sneer, she knew—just as everyone else did—that her power wasn’t hers. It was borrowed, inherited, propped up by wealth she hadn’t earned. And the resilience she envied in those she bullied? She lacked it herself."
See the difference? Character depth adds subtext. It reveals unspoken truths that bring writing to life.
5. Don’t Edit While You Write
Perfectionism kills momentum. Let yourself write messily. Then walk away—return later with fresh eyes.
When you revise, ask:
- What is the message I want to convey?
- Does my writing support this message?
- Why should someone read this?
Next, identify your audience:
- Who are you speaking to?
- What are their struggles?
- How does your writing inspire or help them?
Write authentically first. Modify later. If needed, AI can help refine your phrasing to better fit your intended demographic.
6. Hook Your Reader from the Start
Your first paragraph is crucial—it sets the stage, like a movie opening shot.
A strong introduction can be:
- A compelling scene
- A powerful question
- A provocative statement
Example:
*"The car window of the 1975 gold Lincoln was rolled down—my grandmother’s pride and prestige, even if it was two decades out of style. The wind yanked my copper hair from its ponytail, whipping strands into my mouth, tasting of salt and sweat. The torn white strings around the holes in my jeans danced wildly as air rushed through the cab. I glanced at my driver—her permed gray hair stiff with hairspray—then back to the endless ribbons of farmland streaming past.
She was taking me home.
Back to where my name was just a number. ‘Two.’ The second of five daughters. A place where remembering names was too much trouble."*
Notice how setting, sensory details, and foreshadowing pull the reader in?
7. Avoid Repetitive Words & Weak Phrasing
Look for word redundancy. If a word appears too often, swap it out.
Example:
"I turned to face her, lifting my head to meet her eyes."
➡ Edit: "Turning, I met her gaze."
Shorter, sharper, stronger.
8. Writing Numbers & Details
- Write out numbers under 100. (Three weeks, ten days, forty red cups.)
- Use numerals for 100+. (232 grey pom-poms.)
Clothing details can be used to subtly reveal character traits.
Example:
"She wore a delicate pink floral dress, lace ruffles fluttering as she skipped across the clover-speckled grass toward her mother."
vs.
"She wore a faded blue cotton dress, fraying at the seams where she had outgrown it. She skipped across the overgrown grass, barefoot and wild, racing toward her mother."
Different descriptions, different stories.
9. Formatting & Style Rules
- Don’t use ALL CAPS for emphasis—use italics or bold instead.
- Use the journalist’s checklist: Who, what, when, where, why, how.
- Engage all six senses: Sight, sound, taste, touch, smell, and intuition.
10. The Power of AI in Writing
AI can’t replace human storytelling. But it can be a useful tool for:
- Generating ideas
- Identifying grammatical errors
- Finding redundant phrasing
- Refining language for a specific audience
A prompt to try:
"Can you edit this for clarity, removing redundancy while keeping my style consistent? I want it to be emotionally engaging, impactful, and easy to follow."
Use AI wisely—but never let it replace your authentic voice.
Final Thoughts: Just Write.
The best writing isn’t perfect—it’s honest.
Get the words down. Let your editor worry about punctuation.
Tell your story, your way.
Because ultimately, we are not perfect writers.
We are stewards of stories.
To be part of our Motherhood Anthology Book in May 2026, please click here:
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