We’ve all been there. We are stuck in our office (or wherever we decide to write), and we keep staring at the screen as if a disembodied face will appear and tell us that our writing is the fairest of them all. 

I hate to tell you this, but it isn’t going to happen. 

If you haven’t noticed, there is never, ever a single depiction of a muse chilling near a computer. They are always frolicking outside or taking part in inspiring activities like playing a lyre. 

Maybe the more modern ones go to rock concerts or interactive museums, but I promise you they aren’t hunched over laptops.

If you are stuck in your story, go outside (safely). Take a walk. Watch a movie at home that inspires you. Write a really embarrassing song that you will inevitably play on an acoustic guitar. 

Inspiration isn’t in the computer room. Step away. Other activities count as writing. 

I kind of see the writing process like an iceberg. The tip of the iceberg is the actual writing while most of it is submerged in our subconscious (it’s what gives us all the best ideas when we are doing something else). 

When I go for a walk, dialogue floats into my head, and by the time I’m done, I can’t wait to start writing. I’ve written 2,000 words in less than an hour after a long walk.

The days where I stare at the computer screen and torture myself? I get 300 words written in four hours. If I’m lucky.

Remember, the amount of time put in is not what counts. It’s getting good writing done that does. 

Take care of yourself and escape the room. No challenging puzzles required. Just open the door and let yourself out.