Writer’s Block
What is Writer’s Block?
Writer’s block, just like an art block, is when a writer feels the inability to create or solve a problem in a piece of writing. It’s as if you have hit a wall and cannot write anymore.
Examples of Writer’s Block:
Don’t have the energy or want to write something.
Don’t know what to write next.
Don’t know how to solve a problem in a writing.
I’ve had this conversation with many writers, classmates, students, and more. You might read this and exclaim with a groan “but I don’t want to!” when it comes to trying any of these approaches. Well, that’s alright, but when you are ready, here are all my tips about that ghost called writer’s block. Let’s shine a light on it and see what is hiding underneath. (let’s be honest, I just might be a crazy workaholic who NEVER stops writing).
Let’s debunk this and talk about where “writer’s block” comes from, what it really is, and how to get rid of it.
Before we begin, let me tell you a story. I once had writer’s block as a freshman in college on this paper for over a week or two. “I just can’t figure it out!” was how it went. Then suddenly, it was 4 am and I was sitting in the musty and haunted lounge of my dorm’s 1st floor corridor. I was literally tearing up as I attempted to write 4,000+ words of an entire paper the night before it was due. My hands were flying across the keys as I threw in my sources and spit out my ideas as fast as I could. There was not a moment of pause because I knew that threatened exhaustion to overtake me.
There is something strange and magical about rushing a deadline. Last minute, I wrote with no inhibitions because it was now or never. Where had my writer’s block gone? And that certainly was not an inspired moment. I learned a lot that night about “writer’s block.”
Why You Should Approach Writer’s Block
These are times if you get writers block, you will fail, or you could literally lose your job. That’s why writers block can not happen and I’m gonna even say—why it is not an option. You don’t have a choice—you have to figure it out—that paper is due at school or a work deadline that won’t wait for you.
What Causes “Writer’s Block”
By pointing out what causes what we call writer’s block, we will be able to discuss ways to get around it and keep on writing.
A paper or idea being difficult
Not wanting to write something
Not knowing how to write something
Not knowing what to write next
Unsure if you should write something
Outside your creative comfort zone
No ideas
No inspiration
Writer’s block is composed of not knowing what to do, not knowing what to write, not wanting to write something, being uncomfortable to write something. Also, as I’ve seen and experienced, it might be a manifestation of your not wanting to do something whether that is laziness or procrastinating at its best. Now, as I say this I’ve been there and I’ve done this! I’ve been the lazy writer so I am pointing this out as a comrade. Starting or finishing a piece can be daunting or all around annoying if you do not want it. I just want to point out these aspects to help you think about your own writing process and to be self-aware and practice of improvement will help you become a better writer.
Don’t Call it “Writer’s Block”
Once you declare yourself as stuck, well, of course you are stuck. That’s the magic of it if youstay you are stuck—you are indeed stuck because you have decided on that position.
Don’t Stop Writing
Keep on writing. Don’t stop.
Healthy ways to take a break. Sometimes you do need to put something down or away but you must return.
Identify the Problem
Ask yourself, why am I having trouble with this? Identify the problem and create a way to answer it. If you can’t figure it out yourself, ask for help from a tutor, teaching/writing assistant, teacher, classmate, friend, or coworker.
Write out a game plan. Brainstorming, practice writing and writing exercises to break through. New research to look for. Etc. (maybe you don’t have enough info)
Don’t Hold Back
I’m looking at you, creative writers.
It took a combination of all 4 college years for me to get the practice down of writing with no inhibitions.
I learned this a few ways. (Whether writing something that makes you uncomfortable or writing something you think is trash—keep moving!)
I was once told if it makes you uncomfortable—write it. If your mind is telling you that might be too sensitive or uncomfortable to write, just write it—that’s the real stuff we need. Don’t be careful, don’t be safe, just go for it. This digs up real emotions and reactions from your reader and it could be talking about the simplest stuff too. This digs into that idea of holding back. Do not hold back when y ou are writing. When I was a senior, I learned one more step to that idea of not holding back. Previously, I would write and stop and think really hard. I was unsure of what to write so I would stop writing (this is where writer’s block supposedly comes in) but the key is, if you are not writing, you will not keep on writing. Even if you are not sure of what to do, write what comes to mind no matter how dumb, boring, or nonsensical it is, and keep moving on. Once you finish what you need to, you can go back and edit.
With this in mind, I started trucking forward with writing—word counts soon became no longer daunting as I barrelled over them and learned how to write everything and literally challenged myself to never stop moving. If I was typing, I might be writing a story and I will literally write:
“Then she turned and ooooh I don’t know what she sees at this point, but I know it is startling, and the cat look uynnatural, but she will trip and catch herself, saying something to whatever the beast is… when it runs away, my shaking hands find a hold of the ground and I steady myself..” ---one, this is terrible writing. Two, I didn’t stop—I wrote what happened here and kept going because I had no idea what happened. This lets me continue on with the project instead of getting stuck. Then when I come back, I will write that sentence and start to spin details and events off it.
Writer’s block is a manifestation of not wanting to do something and just no knowing what to do next and letting yourself pause. Once this is realized and you come up with what ways help you figure things out the best, writing block will disappear from the creative horizon.
With this said, there is one more topic to approach…
Inspiration
Inspiration is the muse of all artists, creations, and writings. Of course, this gives you great and powerful works BUT what I want to be understood is that you do not need a muse, or inspiration to make a work! So many writers say, I’m not inspired, I’ll write when I feel inspired. What will you do if that moment never comes? I used to say that all the time until I realized you need to write essays and articles without inspiration or your will fail. Think of it this way—inspiration is the candy on top—if you have it for something, that’s fantastic. If you don’t, that’s alight, just keep on writing anyways.
If you are a student with no inspiration would you just fail your paper?
If you are a dreaming novelist with no inspiration would you put the book down?
If you are a professional writer with no inspiration would you let yourself get fired?
I know a lot of this advice might come off as harsh, especially if you hold tightly to the ideas of writer’s block or inspiration. That’s alright, I used to think that way too. But, as I approached the world of professional writers, I interviewed upwards of 30+ authors and when the serious talk began about the actual job and process, I got a lot of honest answers I didn’t like. Writing isn’t this magical happy go lucky field. I know you know that but, what I found was a lot of daunting challenges, struggle, and pain in some cases. The advice that stuck with me the most was an author who told me that inspiration is a crutch and writing block is an excuse. He was in a convention room that was so cold, his fingers had turned purple, but he said this unshakingly. I was mad in my head because I was like, how can you say that? but as I continued forward, I found this to be true and dove into the idea, strengthening my writing in hopes that no whim could hold me back.
In other interviews, authors all said a variety of things such as tie yourself to a chair, glue yourself to your seat—just start writing! Doesn’t matter what it is—just get those words on the page.
If you dream about writing a book but don’t write it, what will happen? Even one sentence a day keeps it developing instead of putting it aside for lengths at a time. It’s no different than practicing the piano if you are a pianist. A painter who doesn’t paint doesn’t advance.
Conclusion
With all this said, Yes, of course you will still get stuck! You will have those moments. But you will be able to work through them. Sometimes I think calling it writer’s block is like slamming an impassable wall down on your creative process and yelling “You shall not pass!” I’ve seen so many people throw their hands in the air, declare an impasse, and stop working. Sure, take a break, but come back and start trying to figure it out.
“If your heart is still beating, what are you waiting for?” Quote Kim Namjoon 김 남준