We’ve all been there: staring at a blank page, fingers hovering over the keyboard, wondering if the next line will ever come. Writer’s block isn’t just frustrating—it’s weirdly humbling.
And real writers? They don’t just sit and sigh. They do strange, hilarious, and sometimes slightly alarming things to get the words flowing again. From arguing with their coffee mug to pacing in ridiculous patterns, these habits are bizarre—but they work.
Here are 7 of the strangest things real writers do when they’re stuck, and why embracing the weirdness might just save your story.
1. Talking to Inanimate Objects
Some writers have conversations…with their desk, their lamp, even their coffee cup. Why? Because sometimes the only way to hear a stubborn character’s voice is to externalize it.
- Example: One novelist muttered entire arguments to her office chair while figuring out a plot twist. “The chair didn’t respond,” she said, “but somehow the hero did.”
- Lesson: Even if your stapler isn’t going to answer back, pretending it can helps untangle complicated scenes or dialogue. Your story starts moving because your brain finally has someone—or something—to argue with.
2. Walking in Strange Patterns
Sometimes, pacing in straight lines just isn’t enough. Writers get creative with movement—zig-zags across the living room, figure-eights around the kitchen, or pacing laps in the backyard—anything to get the ideas flowing.
- Example: One thriller author confessed to pacing the hallway in circles for hours while debating a character’s morality. “By the third lap, I was so dizzy I accidentally invented a plot twist I never expected,” she said.
- Lesson: Movement wakes up your brain. Odd patterns, laps, or random spins can help your subconscious work through stuck scenes. Bonus: your pets or family might think you’ve finally lost it, but hey—that’s part of the charm.
3. Wearing Costumes or Props
Why just imagine your character when you can be your character? Writers sometimes put on hats, scarves, wigs, or other props to physically embody a protagonist, villain, or eccentric sidekick.
- Example: A fantasy author donned a wizard’s hat while brainstorming spells. Her cat, judging every move, may have rolled its eyes, but the result was a magical duel scene with perfect gestures, pacing, and tension.
- Lesson: Wearing a costume makes you think like your character—how they move, react, and interact with their world. Plus, it’s a lot harder to get stuck when your protagonist is literally perched on your head.
4. Eating or Drinking Odd Combinations
When stuck, some writers turn to taste to spark ideas. Weird snacks, themed drinks, or unusual flavor combos can kickstart creativity in surprising ways.
- Example: One writer, working on a villain with strange cravings, ate peanut butter with pickles while scribbling dialogue. “It was disgusting,” she admitted, “but suddenly the villain’s personality clicked in my head.”
- Lesson: Novel stimuli—flavors, textures, even smells—can wake up your brain and open doors to unexpected inspiration. Bonus: you get a story AND a hilarious anecdote.
5. Talking Aloud in Character Voices
Writers often role-play their scenes, talking to themselves as their protagonist, antagonist, or sidekick. It’s awkward, loud, and occasionally alarming—but it works.
- Example: A mystery author argued with her detective out loud for ten minutes, pacing her living room. “My neighbor called to check if I was okay,” she laughed. “Turns out the detective had the better argument.”
- Lesson: Hearing dialogue spoken aloud reveals clunky lines, sharpens timing, and gives characters a distinct voice. It’s like rehearsing for a one-person play that only your imagination can watch.
6. Consulting Ridiculous or Overly Specific Research
Some writers dive down bizarre rabbit holes for inspiration—even if the research seems irrelevant.
- Example: A fantasy author spent an afternoon studying pigeon migration patterns to describe a messenger-bird scene. Hours later, a sudden idea struck for a crucial plot twist involving airborne communication.
- Lesson: Obsessive, unusual research often sparks unexpected story solutions. If you get lost in the details, your subconscious is still working.
7. Doing Something Totally Random
When all else fails, writers sometimes reset their brain with completely unrelated activities. Dancing, spinning in a swivel chair, building Lego sets—anything to break the routine.
- Example: One sci-fi novelist spun in her chair for five minutes, then sat down and realized the antagonist’s hidden motivation had just become crystal clear.
- Lesson: Random, playful activities can shake loose ideas your focused mind couldn’t reach. Sometimes the best inspiration comes from doing something utterly ridiculous.
Conclusion
Writer’s block doesn’t stand a chance against creativity fueled by weirdness. From talking to furniture to wearing wizard hats and eating peanut-butter pickles, these strange habits aren’t just funny—they work.
Next time your story stalls, embrace your inner weirdo. Your characters and your sanity will thank you.