Overcoming Writer’s Block: Tackling That Tricky Scene

We’ve all been there- staring at the blank page, unable to put down the words for a scene you’ve been dreaming of writing for ages. Funny how the ones you’re most excited about can feel the hardest to start, right? Maybe it’s the weight of expectation, or the perfect image you’ve built up in your head that makes it daunting to translate into words.

So, how do you begin? Here’s a tip that always works for me: go back to the five senses.

Ask yourself:

• What can my main character see?

• What’s in the air- what do they smell?

• Is there a distinct taste?

• How does the world around them feel-physically and emotionally?

• What can they hear-is it silence, whispers, chaos?

If you’re writing fantasy, this is the perfect time to explore the magic or fantastical elements that make your scene special. Does the magic hum, crackle, or distort the environment? Is the air charged with energy? Grounding yourself in these details can make the scene feel vivid and alive, helping you find the flow again.

But here’s the most important thing: don’t overthink it. Start with what you know- the moments or details that are already clear in your mind, and build out from there. Scenes don’t have to emerge fully polished; they just need to exist. You can always refine them later.

Finally, remember: writing should be fun. Let go of the pressure to make it perfect and focus on the joy of storytelling. After all, it’s your world- you get to shape it however you want.

And who knows? Once you get those first words down, the rest of the scene might just take off on its own. Happy writing! ✨