Free Writing Guide
From Stuck to Structured: A Roadmap for Writing Without Overwhelm
INTRODUCTION
Writing Isn’t Just About Words—It’s About You
Writing and research are never just about getting words on the page. They’re about thinking, feeling, and making sense of what you know—and sometimes, that process gets tangled in fear, uncertainty, or exhaustion. If you’ve ever stared at a blank page and felt like it was staring back, you’re not alone.
This guide is here to help you move from stuck to structured. Not by forcing yourself to write harder, but by understanding what’s actually getting in your way and shifting how you engage with your work.
Step 1: Name What’s Actually Blocking You
Before you push through a writing block, take a moment to ask: What’s making this feel hard?
Is it structural? (You don’t know what comes next, or the argument feels unclear.)
Is it emotional? (You’re afraid of getting it wrong, or your research feels deeply personal.)
Is it about energy? (You’re exhausted, burnt out, or can’t focus.)
👉 Try this: Write a single sentence finishing this thought: Writing feels hard right now because…
Sometimes, just identifying the issue is enough to shift how you approach it.
Step 2: Make the Process Work for You
Most writing advice assumes that if you just had more discipline, the words would flow. That’s not true. Good writing happens when you create a process that fits your brain, your body, and your life.
If traditional approaches don’t work, experiment with:
Speaking your ideas aloud first and transcribing them.
Writing out of order instead of starting at the beginning.
Using placeholders for hard sections ([I don’t know how to phrase this yet]).
Setting time-based goals instead of word counts (e.g., 25 minutes of focused work instead of “500 words”).
👉 Try this: Create a sensory experience that you replicate when you write that would get you in the mood: Listening to a particular soundscape, burning a candle with an evocative scent, finding a talisman that you touch before writing, brewing a specific flavour of tea, creating an inspirational vision board you can see while typing.
Applying this to writing: A story
I’m currently writing a creative academic nonfiction book on ghosts and hauntology as applied to Canadian history education. This is a different kind of writing and research than I’ve done before, and sometimes I found it difficult to rely on my usual processes to get into the right mindset for consistant writing.
To counter this, I created a highly sensory experience in my office to help connect with the mental and emotional space I needed for this type of writing and theorizing.
I burned a ghost candle that I only light while writing🕯️
I diffused a scent I associate with a haunted mansion🔮
I surrounded myself with objects that symbolize the longer process of writing—placing them in and around my desk as reminders🗝️
I wore a skeleton sweater while writing💀
I’ve also listened nighttime forest sounds on YouTube🌌
All of these elements became part of a ritual that distinguished this writing from other work I was doing in the same space.
By being intentional about these sensory experiences, and the rituals that accompany them, I’ve begun to see this writing as a multimedia piece more so than simple words on a page—although, of course, words are never simple.
Step 3: Reframe Resistance as Information
If you’re avoiding a section or struggling to finish, there’s a reason. Resistance isn’t failure—it’s data.
Ask yourself:
What feels heavy about this section? (Is it emotionally hard? Intellectually unclear?)
What would make it feel easier? (More structure? A different starting point?)
What’s the smallest step forward? (Instead of “write the chapter,” try “write a rough bullet-point outline.”)
👉 Try this: Instead of criticizing yourself for being stuck, go for a walk and ask your mind and body: What is my resistance trying to tell me? Take those messages seriously. Adjust your approach to writing accordingly.
Step 4: Build Momentum with Supportive Accountability
Writing doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Having support—whether through structured check-ins, a writing buddy, or coaching—makes all the difference.
If you struggle with accountability, try:
Scheduling a check-in with a friend to talk through progress.
Using a co-writing session (virtual or in-person) to write alongside others.
Breaking tasks into micro-goals to track small wins.
👉 Try this: Choose one action you can take today to make writing feel more possible, even if it’s small.
FINAL THOUGHTS
You Are Not the Problem—But Maybe The Process Is
If writing has felt impossible, it’s not because you’re not good enough—it’s because the process hasn’t been working for you. You deserve support, structure, and a way of working that feels sustainable. Book an initial clarity session where we can identify what’s keeping you stuck and identify a path forward.
If you want deeper guidance, let’s talk! If you want to do these activities together, book an initial meet and greet session.