Goodreads asked J.R. Manawa:

How do you deal with writer’s block?

J.R. Manawa Writer's block is cruel. Even when you are not a professional writer, and you are writing for university, school, or for your day job. I've had moments where I've stared at a screen for hours and written 100% nothing. There are so many droplets of advice or steps I could suggest for getting over it that I've learned over the years. The main one is DON'T STOP. So many people give up, but writing is about discipline as much as inspiration. If you set yourself time aside every day to write, and you fill that time with writing, even if its absolute crap and you delete it all at the end, keep doing it. Practise makes perfect.

And eventually, when you are in a routine, it will come naturally, and regularly, like clockwork. Imagination is a muscle that responds well to regular exercise.

My own quick tips for instant fixes include;
• Go for a walk or do some exercise and then come back to it.
• Delete it, and start again.
• Ask someone for a topic, and write about it in your own style.
• Stop it for now, and pick up a different piece of writing to continue in that moment.
• Read in between times, because learning is just as important as teaching.

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