Stuck in a staring contest with a blank page? If it feels like your writing inspiration has gone MIA, you need some help from my best friend. Flow.
Flow is the ultimate writing bliss. It's that heady state where words effortlessly shimmy out of you. Inspiration keeps on DJ'ing, time does the moonwalk, and the rest of the world? It quietly fades into the background.
But let's be real, sometimes, instead of a dance floor, you’re up against a brick wall. Here’s how you can boogie past it.
My 10 top tips for entering flow
1. Cliffhanger catalyst
Leave your work—heck, even sentences—unfinished. This makes getting back into the groove easier the next day.
2. Time-traveling touch-up
Start each session by polishing up yesterday's work until it shines. This warm-up primes your writing muscles before you break into a full-blown salsa.
3. Leave breadcrumbs
Pepper your drafts with comments. Your future self can use them as signposts. The only rule? Don’t be afraid to keep it real with comments like “This sucks,” “Confusing,” or “Huh?”.
4. Mini milestone magic
Writing 2,000+ words can be daunting. Aim for small, tangible goals. I shoot for 300 words to maintain my rhythm and flow.
5. Write first, edit later
Don’t let the perfectionist gremlin slow your roll. Let the words strut their stuff first, then apply the editing touch.
6. Distraction deflector
Put your phone on focus and encourage those pushy notifications to take a nap.
7. Pomodoro power
Write in peppy cycles with regular siestas. Take short breaks, even if you think you don't need them. It keeps your focus sharp.
8. Fast track to flow
Fasting is my favorite trick to clear mental cobwebs.
9. Craft a ritual
Create a pre-writing action to signal your brain it's time to unleash flow. Try lighting a candle, putting on your favorite playlist, or brewing tea.
10. Sonic shield
Dial in the right background tunes—or white noise—to create your writing sonic shield. For me, lo-fi, lyric-light music is the rhythm I flow to.
W.W.R.D.?
- Give the “Cliffhanger catalyst” and “Breadcrumb” strategies a whirl in your writing today.
- Leave an unfinished sentence or section in your work. Sprinkle comments for your future self.
- Tomorrow, jump into writing and get transported straight into the flow symphony.
About Susan Rov
Susan traded cocktails and lattes for words that move. As a copywriter on a mission to end boring, she brightens brands and makes an impact. Number 463 on the list of fiction readers left standing, you'll find Susan at sunrise—running, writing, and wondering how to change the world next. That drive led her to become a founding team member of BRIL.LA.