There’s nothing more defeating than sitting down to write… and feeling like your brain just hit a wall. The story is there—somewhere—but the words won’t come, your thoughts are tangled, and everything you try feels flat or forced.

First, take a breath. You are  not alone!

At Owl Mountain Press, we’ve worked with countless authors who hit creative blocks, lose direction, or simply feel too overwhelmed to begin. That’s why we’re sharing some of our go-to methods to help you reboot your creative engine: Brainstorming, Character Mapping, and Writing Prompts. These aren’t just techniques—they’re lifelines when writing feels like wading through quicksand.

💡 Brainstorming: Untangle the Chaos and Set Your Story Free
When your brain is full of scattered ideas, half-baked plot threads, and characters without names, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Brainstorming is about letting it all out—messy, raw, and unfiltered. No judgment. No expectations. Just a safe space to .

🔹 Why It Works for Stuck Writers:

• It lowers the pressure to “get it right.”
• It gives your creativity space to roam.
• It helps you  what’s been swirling in your head.

🛠️ How to Do It:

• The Brain Dump: Open a notebook or blank doc and  it all out. Scene ideas, world-building concepts, bits of dialogue, emotions you want the reader to feel—everything goes on the page.
• Sticky Notes or Index Cards: Write one idea per card and physically move them around. This visual method helps many of our neurodivergent writers, especially those with ADHD.
• Mind Mapping: Start with one central idea—like your main character or your core conflict—and build outwards with branches for subplots, relationships, or themes.

Pro Tip: Don’t worry about structure. Brainstorming isn’t meant to be neat—it’s meant to unlock. You can clean it up later. Right now, just let your thoughts breathe.

🧶 Character Mapping: Building People Who Feel Real
Characters are the heart of your story—but when you don’t know them deeply, they fall flat. That’s where character mapping comes in. It’s a tool for organizing not just who your characters are, but how they grow, relate, and impact the plot.

🔹 Why Writers Struggle Here:

• You may only know surface details (name, job, appearance).
• The character’s motivations and arc feel fuzzy.
• You feel disconnected from them—which makes writing them hard.

🛠️ How to Build Them Out:

• Character Worksheets: Fill out detailed sheets with categories like:
• Full Name, Age, Birthplace
• Strengths & Flaws
• Core Wound & Secret Fear
• Goals, Dreams, and Regrets
• How they show love or push people away
• What would break them?

Relationship Webs: How do they connect to others? Who do they trust? Who do they avoid? Creating emotional links helps develop natural conflict and tension.Backstory Journaling: Write a journal entry in your character’s voice. Let them rant, grieve, confess—whatever’s on their mind. You’ll be surprised what comes through.

Pro Tip: Character block is often story block. If your plot isn’t flowing, map your character’s emotional journey. The plot may follow.

✨ Writing Prompts: A Starting Point When You Have None

Sometimes, the pressure to “be original” or “get it perfect” paralyzes us. Writing prompts remove that pressure and give you a sandbox to play in. They invite creativity, even when your confidence is low.

🔹 Why Prompts Work for Blocked Writers:

• They take decision fatigue out of the process.
• They create small wins—you wrote something today!
• They often reveal unexpected directions or new characters.

🛠️ How to Use Them:

• Warm-Up Tool: Write for 5–10 minutes before diving into your main project. Prompts can help loosen the mental knots.
• Scene Starters: Use a prompt to explore an alternate timeline or backstory moment for your characters.
• Shadow Work for Writers: If your block feels emotional, use deeper prompts that dig into fear, anger, or self-doubt. Writing from those raw places can be healing  productive.

✍️ Try These Today:

• “Write a conversation your main character regrets.”
• “Your character receives a gift from someone they once betrayed.”
• “Describe the moment they realized the villain was right.”
• “What would your character never admit out loud—but secretly wants more than anything?”

Pro Tip: Prompts aren’t about perfection—they’re about process. Let them guide you, not cage you.

🦉 From the Heart of the Mountain
Writer’s block, creative burnout, executive dysfunction, or just plain overwhelm—it happens to  of us. What matters most is that you don’t give up. Writing isn’t always about charging forward. Sometimes it’s about pausing, mapping your path, and taking small, meaningful steps.

So grab a notebook. Spill your thoughts. Meet your characters like old friends. Answer one simple prompt. And when you’re ready, come back to your project with a clearer mind and an open heart.

Jess Bicknell
Founder, Owl Mountain Press