Writers Block is a paradox that enables writers to avoid doing what they love, and it often strikes when a writer is on the cusp of explaining something deep in a brilliantly simple way. Writers Block is a many-tentacled Kraken, with each symptom experienced as a tentacle futzing the mind of a brilliant writer. Some of these tentacles are slim and sharp, others are beefy bullies that weigh us down, and still others are like silly gummy worms that ceaselessly wriggle and distract—but they all stem from the same place, fear itself.
Writers Block makes writers do extraordinary things to distract themselves from their role, like becoming incredible cooks. They clean their homes, renovate their bathrooms, chop down trees in their backyard, and initiate peace talks with estranged loved ones. Or… escape down a rabbit hole of entertainment (video games, junk food, pornography, etc.) a cunning space filled with distractions. Not that escape is bad, but too much escape… is just escape.
Writers Block: Cartoons, Realities, and Mental Health
(Warning: This section is silly)
All writers, especially the talented award-winning species, have repeated rendezvous with Writers Block. And isn’t it just a bit mysterious, even exotic? Like stumbling upon a creature made of poetry in the throes of despair, “Yes. I am so afflicted with Writers Block that I’m:”
- No longer the productive savant that I am!
- Fit only to scrub dust bunnies from the corners of my attic.
- To gaze morosely out my expensive tripled-paned windows while I pet my cat!
- CURSED! WHY MUST THE GODS WILL THAT I CANNOT WRITE!?
- Gasp! Someday? Perhaps someday I shall write again?
(Warning: this section is REAL)
Or in its less cartoonish moments, Writers Block is depression, lack of motivation, and shame. It strikes as a fear that you’re not talented. Sometimes it’s just anger as you stare at a blank screen. It can feel uncontrollable, something that will eventually end, but who knows when? But it does end, and you can end it sooner than you think.
I haven’t had writer’s block. I think it’s because my process involves writing very badly.
— Jennifer Egan
Writers Block: Give Yourself Permission to Be Human
Epiphany Casually Pops When Reading From The Beginning
You’ve likely heard this one before. It’s so simple that it’s become a cliche, but it works. Turn off your brain and do some manual labor, or something filled with wonder. Run until you get cramps, and then keep running. Chop a tree down with an axe, (ideally with a friend who can help you NOT drop the tree on your house). Leap into the ocean and swim with some whales (or the in-laws). Go to the zoo and bribe the zoologist to play with the otters (careful, they bite, but they are so squidgy and cute!). However, maybe manual labor and illegal things (like harmless bribery) aren’t up your alley. Perhaps take up woodworking/wood-carving? Or take a long walk, or try Hot Tai Chi, or something truly drastic like watching ballet or binging reruns of the original Care Bears?
You’re human, it’s okay to be human, and it’s okay to have a side gig that helps you balance. Whatever you do, just do that thing and let yourself keep doing it until you’re done doing it. Sometimes you get answers in the middle of this, sometimes not. Either way, when you come back to your story, read it from the start. Don’t start where you left off last. Read it from the start and let your work speak for itself. Your story, all by itself, can tell you where it’s gone sideways (often earlier) in the story.
You can’t negotiate with Writers Block, but you can write yourself out of it…
Writers Block: Are You Stuck On Yourself? I Know I Am…
Oddly, Just Knowing You’re Talented Can Cause Writers Block
I know various writers and artists, and there’s something that runs through all of them. They’re brilliant, they’re talented, they know it, and sometimes that’s the problem. Some are stuck in their, “Spontaneous ME!” moments where they believe everything they create, no matter how shallow, is solid work. Or they’re tired and don’t want to polish the work until it shines. They try to compensate rough structure for intuition and imagery. In either case, the writer/artist/demigod may be a bit too infatuated with themself.
Look at your scenes. Are you being true to your talents or are you stuck on yourself? Is the dialogue shallow? Could underlying concepts be deeper? You are a genius, but are you grounded? Allow yourself to elevate your work. Don’t go so fangirl/fanboy on yourself that your successes drown your talents. Stay grounded. Keep your stories rooted in the five senses. Evoke scenes that your readers see, taste, feel, hear, touch, and swoon over. Just don’t romance yourself so well that you swoon, too.
See my article “Show Don’t Tell” Is a Tool, Not a Rule for more information on writing through the five senses.
Writers Block: Does The Scene Hurt to Write?
“Bully Through” VS. “Re-plotting and Being Gentle”
On the flip side, you may be hesitant to dive into a scene because you know it will hurt. When brainstorming/outlining, our minds hit on brilliant concepts, but when we have to write them out with all their gritty details? The process can be painful. Sometimes it doesn’t matter how well the outline is put together, there’s just a leap between two concepts that’s difficult to bridge (or an omission which leave our manuscript with loose ends). We become frustrated and then our timeline devolves into sushi with tentacles oozing everywhere. A difficult environment to write through for sure.
MANY famous authors have weighed in on Writers Block. Some say it’s an excuse, others say it’s a matter of discipline, still others acknowledge it and wait patiently through it. Every writer perceives it differently, and each writer develops coping mechanisms.
We can either face these moments head-on, or begin re-plotting, and both options are valid. Before tackling either option, be careful with yourself. Depending on your sentimentalities, consider speaking with a therapist? I know a writer who, like an emotional bulldog, always processes through—even through tears and psychological hurts. I know another who took a six-month break and took up pottery… and then they settled down and finished their book. There are as many options as there are people. Creating something great always involves messy nightmare moments. When you come to the deep, dark place, be gentle with your instruments, your loved ones, and yourself.
Writers Block: Deadlines As Motivation
It’s like doing drugs without the need to do drugs (one might say it’s better than doing drugs)
This option is touchy for some because it intentionally induces stress and even dread, but the results can be spectacular. A deadline can accomplish in weeks what took months, even years. Because it has to! Missing deadlines carries consequences. For some, a deadline hones their talent to the cutting edge, slicing through Writers Block and all other issues in their path…
A deadline can be the difference between the mortgage being paid… or not. Deadlines don’t work if you have nothing to lose. A self-imposed deadline is easy to push back. Don’t set yourself a deadline, have someone set it for you, and have consequences. Some authors have made their careers this way. With limited time, genius shines, allowing us to make pragmatic leaps while reserving our creative juices for the choicest options. A deadline can be the inspiration for our greatest works. It’s invigorating. It can bring the sizzle. Unfortunately, it can also be burnout and age us before our time. Where is the balance? Well, that’s negotiated as you learn how to work with a deadline.
Give it a genuine try. Don’t decide which side of the line you’re on until you try it. You can achieve stunning results with this technique. Write Something Great!