• Refuse to write until inspiration hits.

  • You need to find some way to get your imagination working, and sitting around doing nothing is not the way to play it.  If you refuse to write anything, you will remain blocked because you are preventing your thoughts from flowing.  

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• Get upset/sad/mad and bask in self-pity.

  • Letting your emotions get the best of you means that you have lost control of your stress.  You might reach the J.K. Rowling-level of arm-breaking fantasies.  This is not good.  One of the keys in overcoming writer's block is handling stress.  If you stay on top of your responsibilities and assignments, there won't be much room to get upset.  But if you do reach a state of feeling particularly extreme emotions, do not hesitate in taking care of yourself until you've regained your composure.  Your health is always more important than a writing assignment.

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• Watch television.​​

  • The risks of this are huge.  It is quite easy to say, "Ah, just one more episode."  Then the next thing you know, it's 3 a.m., you're on Season 4 when you started on Season 1, and your whole life is in shambles.  Okay, that might be a slight exaggeration, but "one episode" really does have the potential to turn into binge-watching.  In which case, you will have wasted countless hours supposedly getting 'in the zone' to write.  And well, did you become inspired after four seasons of Hell's Kitchen?  Probably not.  Don't risk falling into the trap.

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• Procrastinate.

  • I've said it before and I'll say it again:  DON'T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE.​  Be aware of how easy it is to get sidetracked and distracted, and make sure you catch yourself before it is too late.

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• Text or call a friend to complain.​

  • You'd think this would be okay, because everyone needs an occasional vent session.​  But when you're trying to pump out some writing, this can be a hurtful choice.  When you complain to someone, they usually side with you, right?  They empathize.  They say things like, "Oh, that sucks!" or "Ah, I feel bad for you."  This type of conversation will alter your mindset and lead you to think negative thoughts.  You will start to believe that your situation actually does suck.  But you must realize that you are in control, and you can make it better.  You just need to do it.