Goodreads asked Frances Howitt:

How do you deal with writer’s block?

Frances Howitt The first time I got writer's block I panicked, thinking "is that it, the book's dead before it's even finished?" I tried to write through it, just to get some words out, and they were awful, stilted and not what I wanted to say at all. I ended up deleting them.
What works for me is firstly going back over the last chapter and hoping the flow will encourage new inspiration. Failing that I simply put that book down and 1) resume another part written book (I have several going at all times) or 2) decide this is a sign I need a break. Deciding that takes the pressure off and removes the nagging guilt.
I go walking in the countryside, somewhere quiet. Or read something from someone else, watch movies in your genre, play PC games, go out with friends.
The worse thing you can do, I've found, is beat yourself up over it. The key thing is to do something mentally or physically diverting, so you feel good about yourself again. It helps.

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