The System I Use to Eliminate Writer’s Block
“Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.” – Pablo Picasso
Writer’s block is a myth. The idea that creative people wake up one day and just “can’t write” is a lie we tell ourselves to justify not doing the work. If you’re staring at a blank page waiting for the muse to bless you with divine intervention, you’ve already lost.
The real problem? You don’t have a system.
I used to sit down to write and waste hours second-guessing every sentence, spiraling into the self-inflicted misery of overthinking. Then, I created a Google Sheet that functions as my creative hub—a system designed to keep my brain firing even when I feel like I have nothing left. This is how I eliminated writer’s block.
Tab 1: The Creative Projects Vault
A blank page is intimidating. But an idea bank that’s bursting with potential? That’s power.
The first tab of my system is where every single idea—good, bad, or utterly ridiculous—gets documented. I categorize them like this:
Idea Name – Even if it’s just a vague phrase, it goes in.
Category – Short story, novel, graphic novel, screenplay—whatever form the idea might take.
Genre – Because every story needs a tone and a world.
Status – In progress, not started, editing—helps me prioritize what’s next.
Notes – The raw, unfiltered thoughts that make future me’s job easier.
Google Doc Link – I don’t waste time searching for drafts.
Idea Inspiration – Every great story is a cocktail of influences (City of Mist, Penny Dreadful, mythology, folklore—whatever fueled the idea).
Related Docs – Anything else feeding the beast (character sketches, worldbuilding notes, random voice memos I transcribed).
This tab alone kills writer’s block because I never have to “start from nothing.” I sit down, scan the list, and pick up where I left off or pull a half-baked idea from the archives. No more blank-page paralysis.
Tab 2: The Brutal Self-Improvement Log
Great writers actively sharpen their craft.
This tab exists because challenges force growth—and if I’m not pushing myself, I’m just repeating the same bad habits on autopilot or, at best, stagnating. It’s divided into:
Area to Improve – What am I weak at? Pacing? Dialogue? Subtext? Subplots? Plot twists?
Example to Study – Someone who does it brilliantly (Cormac McCarthy, Robert Hicks, Carlos Ruiz Zafon, etc).
Project to Implement It In – No passive learning. I take what I study and inject it into my current work.
Every time I read a book or watch a film and feel gut-punched by how good something is, I log it here and make a plan to steal the technique—because the best writers are also the best thieves.
"If you steal from one author, it’s plagiarism; if you steal from many, it’s research.” – Wilson Mizner
Tab 3: The Storytelling Inspiration Vault
Writer’s block doesn’t stand a chance when you’re constantly refueling your creative engine. This tab is my personal museum of inspiration:
Title – The book, movie, TV show, game, poem—whatever left a mark.
Media Type – Because different mediums unlock different parts of the brain.
Link – If applicable, so I can revisit it fast.
Notes – Why did this hit different? What techniques did they use?
Creator – So I can go down the rabbit hole of their other work.
Status – Whether I’ve read/watched it or if it’s still on my list.
This keeps me immersed in greatness—constantly feeding my subconscious so when I sit down to write, my brain is already teeming with creative ammunition.
Tab 4: The Great Writing Repository
This is the black book of writing that makes me feel something. Not just authors I admire, but specific excerpts, phrases, and passages that make me stop, breathe, and say: “Damn.”
Author – Who wrote the gut-punch.
Work – Where it came from.
Type – Poem, novel, song lyrics, film dialogue—whatever.
Link – To revisit in full.
Notes – Why it moved me.
When I need to remember why I love words, this is where I go.
Tab 5: The Writer’s Toolbox
This is the utility belt of my creative life—all the resources that keep me writing smarter, not harder:
Title – The tool, course, or book.
Link – So I don’t waste time Googling.
Type – Writing education, research tool, conferences, etc.
Some of my go-tos:
Hemingway Editor – For murdering unnecessary words.
Save The Cat! Writes A Novel – A great beat-sheet breakdown.
Literary Hub – A daily dive into the writing world.
This tab is my shortcut to efficiency—when I need help, I know exactly where to go.
Tab 6: The Writing Soundtracks
Music is fuel. It sets tone, pace, and energy. My playlist isn’t random; it’s strategic:
Artist – Who’s setting the mood.
Song – The exact track.
Mood – Nostalgic, melancholic, euphoric—whatever emotional tone I need.
Genre It Works For – Fantasy, sci-fi, horror, etc.
If I’m mentally stuck, switching up the soundscape often shakes something loose.
Tab 7: The Lines Vault
Sometimes, a killer line drops into my brain at 2 AM, or I something sticks out in a conversation. I never trust myself to remember it.
This tab is where all those fragments go—the one-liners, the poetic bits, the odd turns of phrase that could become dialogue or entire stories.
When I’m writing and need a spark, this is where I mine for gold.
The System Works. Here’s Why.
This isn’t a magic bullet—it’s a habit system. A way to ensure that I am always writing, always improving, always ready.
Writer’s block? I don’t get it anymore. Because there’s always something to pick up, refine, expand. The only thing stopping me now is choosing which idea to tackle next.
If you’re serious about writing—about getting out of your own way and making this a lifelong pursuit—then stop hoping for inspiration. Build the system that makes inspiration inevitable.