Writer’s Block

Posted October 26, 2026 by Emmy Mahoney

Hello everyone! I am still working hard on my master’s thesis, and since my last post, I have begun focusing more on writing. That being said, as I work on the first draft, my brain wants to do anything but write. Here are the methods I have been using to push through my writer’s block. 

There are a couple of simple tricks that I use when I am already writing. One of the ways I try to get myself back into the flow of writing is switching to a font that I don’t normally use, something that is fun or silly. For some reason, this helps lower the pressure of writing. Similarly, if I find myself going back and editing while I am in the process of writing the first draft, I will switch to an unreadable font. This forces me to focus on what I am actively writing. My current favorite font for this is called “Redacted Script” in Google Docs. Another strategy I use is switching to a different section of my thesis. This can be skipping a couple of paragraphs to continue writing, or even hopping to a different chapter.

I also engage in some strategies outside of writing to help with my writer’s block. Changing scenery is especially helpful for me. Going from my bedroom to the kitchen, or from my home to the library can help me find my flow again. Another tactic that I use is getting outside, such as taking my dogs for a walk around the block, or going for a run around my neighborhood. The scenery and the chilly air allow me to process much of the information and give me ideas for when I’m back at my computer. While this next strategy is technically still a form of writing, it is not related to my thesis. Writing something independent of my thesis can act as a warm-up. I will often write in my journal, brainstorm for the novels I would like to write, and of course, write my SLIS Student Snippets, to get my thesis writing going again. Finally, taking some time to step away from my draft–whether it is an hour, an afternoon, or even a day or two–can sometimes be the only thing that will do the trick. 

Good luck to everyone working on your history master’s thesis. I hope you find some of these strategies helpful in your writing process!