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Words Are Hard. But Not Writing Is Harder.

December 04, 2023 | 3 min read

“I’m a writer. So why am I not writing?” As writers, we’re known for our love-hate relationship with our craft. After all, who hasn’t settled down to write, only to feel the urgent need to wash the dishes or google an obscure urban legend — or do literally anything else — immediately.

We get it. Words ARE hard. But they’re fun and fulfilling, too. And arguably one of the most instrumental aspects of human existence. That’s why you love to write. And that’s why we’re dedicated to creating distraction-free drafting tools to make writing easier.

But what do you do when inspiration is nowhere to be found? When your muse is on vacation? When you open Traveler and stare at a blank screen?

That’s easy. You pick up the latest addition to your Freewrite arsenal: the Words Are Hard deck.

What Is It?

Words Are Hard is a curated collection of thought-provoking writing prompts designed to make you put down the remote control, or whatever the distraction of the day is, and get writing. Having a clear, simple, creative prompt is the easiest way to overcome the first, and hardest, obstacle of writing: getting started.

Each deck comes with:

150 prompts across 8 writing genres
Beautiful matte black case with gold foil accents and stunning genre illustrations by Matt Pamer (You’re going to want to hang these on your wall.)
A custom embossed wooden block stand to display the prompt you’re currently using

Crafted with care and precision, each card is a work of art. The durable, high-quality material ensures a smooth shuffle and a long-lasting companion for your creative endeavors. Let the cards inspire you for years to come.

A unique aspect of this deck is that the prompts span different genres, so that you can explore every corner of your imagination. Are you a Romance author? We highly recommend trying a prompt from the Science Fiction category to dig deeper into your creativity. Do you usually write Horror? Pick a prompt from the Children’s category to give your thinking muscles a new challenge.

How To Use The Deck

The Words Are Hard deck is designed to be easy to use and adaptable to your personal needs. Just follow these steps to get started:

Choose: Find a prompt that resonates with you. Choose a card that tickles your fancy, or close your eyes and let fate be your muse!
Set aside distractions: Find a comfortable space where you can focus, away from any noise or disturbances.
Set goals: Decide on a word count goal or length of time for this prompt. If you're unsure where to start, set a 10-minute timer and write until it ends.
Write: Start writing without worrying about perfect sentences or grammar. Let your imagination roam, exploring unique interpretations of the prompt. Let your ideas flow freely onto the paper or Freewrite screen. Avoid editing during this stage.
Stay free: Remember, the purpose of the writing prompt is to nurture creativity and generate new ideas, so don't be afraid to experiment, take risks, and explore the depths of your imagination! Let the prompt lead you into unexpected areas, whether it's a new protagonist, a wild plot twist, or a powerful emotion.
Finish & Reflect: How do you feel? Is your imagination alert, the creativity flowing? Keep writing if you're in the zone! Or change gears to whatever WIP (Work in Progress) you’ve got going on. If you’re looking for ideas for a new project, review what you've written and look for ideas or storylines that may be worth exploring.
Repeat: Next time you need a creative kickoff, pick another prompt! Try a different genre for a challenge.

Here are a few tips for exciting deeper creativity:

Experiment with different perspectives.
Blend genres and topics (pick 2 prompts and blend them!).
Engage the senses (and imagine what’s happening with each of your character’s 5 senses).
Commit to the full writing session to practice smashing through distractions and writer’s block.

Whether you’re a seasoned veteran of the industry or a budding novelist, a hardcore journalist or a subway poet, the Words Are Hard deck will get your fingers flying and the creative juices flowing in no time. It’s up to you where you go from there!

Make Words Easier

The Words Are Hard pack is a fantastic gift for the writers in your life. It also makes a wonderful group activity for writers. Or, keep a copy of the deck on your desktop for easy access when writer’s block hits.

With the Words Are Hard deck, every shuffle sparks a new story, a fresh idea, and a burst of imaginative energy! Get your set here.

Is Writer’s Block Real?

The debate has been raging since the first words of Sumerian were chiseled into the Kish tablet. OK, we don’t know that for sure. But whether writer’s block exists has always been a contentious topic.

From writers and academics to psychologists and armchair critics, everyone has an opinion.

Do you think it’s real? Is writer’s block a painful, unavoidable rite of passage for every writer? Or do you think it’s a handy excuse, used to steer away from the hard work of completing a substantial piece of writing?

Either way, understanding the expected and unexpected obstacles a writer faces will help you write faster, better, and more often.

Learn about the real forces working against you and decide which side of the debate you land on in our full-length article "Is Writer's Block Real?"

Why Writer’s Block Happens

Writer’s block is blamed for almost every stalled draft and abandoned idea. But we believe the real issue isn’t the block itself. What we need to talk about is what’s behind the block. Spoiler: it’s psychological.

Instead of blankly staring at an empty page or the few words you’ve managed to force out but can’t make sense of, think about what’s happening off the page.

Your mindset, habits, and emotions are only some of the factors that could be working against you.

Stress, self-doubt, perfectionism, a disorganized schedule — these are more than inconveniences. They’re stopping you from writing the book you know is inside you.

Instead of blankly staring at an empty page or the few words you’ve managed to force out but can’t make sense of, think about what’s happening off the page.

Identify your own specific obstacles to writing in: "Why Can't I Write Even When I Want To?"

How to Overcome Writer’s Block

Facing writer’s block may feel like coming toe-to-toe with Tolkien's Balrog of Morgoth. But every baddie has a fatal flaw and writer’s block is no different — it can be defeated.

Sure, it can feel hopeless sometimes. Especially when you started off strong, writing page after page and excitedly imagining the day you’d type "the end," only to come to a grinding halt.

But there are super effective tools you can add to your arsenal to fight this foe. There are proven strategies and productivity techniques you can add to your daily routine to slay this menace and return to your story victorious.

Learn strategies and get expert advice on how to beat your block in: "How to Overcome Writer’s Block: Expert Advice & Strategies for Breaking Through."

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Writer’s block doesn’t spell the end of your journey with your latest draft. (This is just what it wants you to think.)

Like the latest plot twist wreaking havoc on the life of your weary protagonist, it’s just another hurdle to overcome.

Learn more

January 20, 2025 • 3 min read

How to Overcome Writer’s Block: Expert Advice & Strategies for Breaking Through

In a perfect world, there would be a quick fix for writer’s block. A potent elixir that could jumpstart your brain, magic up genius ideas, and make your fingers race across the keyboard like a lightning storm crackling through the sky.

Sadly, we don’t live in a perfect world. But there are proven strategies you can use to get back into your story. Let’s explore a few of them.

Learn more