Writer's Block is a blanket phrase that covers anything getting in the way of a good creative session. Sometimes people can't find the motivation to stop other actions and sit down; others are already sitting with a pencil or keyboard at their hands and struggle to proceed. Distractions come in the form of staring out the window or taking up chores or avoiding work for play altogether, and this doesn't even count the qualities that depression or anxiety can bring to the table. I'm sure I don't have to explain this to anyone, though—if you're here, if you write, you probably knew all of this. Maybe something came to mind immediately. What's your most common reason for claiming writer's block?
I wish I had all the answers. I want to help everyone who reads this punch their way through that block, and it would be great if I could put it away forever myself. The best thing I can do is throw down a lot of possible solutions and ask you to try them if you think they might help, and to crack open a discussion here for us to all help each other. Perhaps experiencing writer's block myself is not the best time to write this article...or perhaps that makes it more honest. So, first off, what's stopping you? Is it internal or external blocks? Knowing this obviously changes how you can react, so it's helpful to spend a few moments on introspection. Know yourself and all that. External causes could be a range of excuses from “I just don't have time” to “I don't have the space or tools I need” to…? It's basically anything outside of your control, influenced by other people or your surroundings, which makes it difficult (but not impossible) to combat. Be honest with yourself. When you say you don't have time, is there any way around the time you're spending? I'm all for prioritizing your family and your personal health, but is there time between that? Even a few minutes helps. Don't psych yourself out by thinking you have to block out hours at a time to write, and that you're ruined if you just can't find that much time. Cities are built one brick, one beam, at a time. Books are built by sentences. Take the time to stack sentences in between stirring dinner, or on your lunch break at work, or as you're winding down before bed. If you have kids, you can have homework sessions together where you're writing as they're doing their assignments. (Honestly, that'll probably help them hate it less if they see that you're working diligently too.) If you're in school and have a heavy course load, treat your writing as breaks where you make the rules in your own fictional world. It's a lot more fun than stuff you have to do. And if you're spending hours online or catching up on shows and your dashboards and news feeds and you “can't find the time,” then look at it this way...That just shows you want to play more than you want to write. And that is totally okay. Life is short and we should find ways to enjoy it. I will never make you feel guilty for that. Just assess what you want to do, and if you'd rather browse the internet, then browse, and if you decide you'd rather write, then...well...you know the first thing that has to take a backseat is your other past times. It's okay. It'll be temporary. I'll address the space/tools concern very briefly, because I feel like this complaint doesn't require as much tact: if you have a computer with any type of word processor, or if you have pens and paper, then that's all you need. People have written books for centuries on just the basics. Be glad you don't have to chisel into stone and clay tablets. There are a lot of costly programs that people like to write on (Scrivener comes to mind), and they might help with organization and making the project more fun for you, but don't get yourself locked into the thought that it's necessary to write with. That won't hold you back if you're really into your story. Internal blocks are all mental. It's all about you and fighting with yourself. Don't worry—a lot of great stories are about the protagonist fighting yourself, so you're in good company. These tend to be issues of self-esteem, not as a person but as a writer specifically. Doubts such as “what if it's not original?” or “what if no one else thinks it's good?” have brought us all down at times. Most of these are answered in general by equipping some sass. The best answer is, “who cares?” Try it out yourself! If it helps you push past your fear and write, then it's the right answer, because I suspect that what stops most of us from becoming published is that we don't get ourselves far enough to try. In more detail, if you're afraid your story idea has been done to death, then take a look at some spinoffs and revamps that Hollywood is coming out with. A lot of stories have the same general plot (there are some sources that claim there are only six plots in existence, but I'm not sure I agree), but it's the details of each plot that make a story that readers get attached to. Twists, clever characters, and memorable lines are way more important than if you're telling a story that's been told before. It's the way you're telling it that makes all the difference. And what if no one thinks it's good? Eh...maybe some people won't. But someone will. Maybe a lot of people. Maybe you love it, and you're enough. Maybe it's not very good yet but it's getting there, and the only way to forge those great writing skills is by practicing, getting the not-as-good stuff out of the way first. Or maybe you've been writing ever since you were little! You're probably better than you think. And if nothing else...remember that there are some terribly written books out there that have not only been finished, published, and widely read, but are considered in many ways a success. Just keep improving. I believe in you! If you struggle to continue because you don't know what to write next, that one's a lot more complex. Still not impossible though. Think it through, or talk it through with someone who's good at helping you detangle. Are you having trouble continuing because you're stuck on a plot point? Then work backwards, and figure out what in your plot stopped working, or add something new to get it through, or get to know your characters and their potential reactions better, or, maybe, delete the scene and do something else altogether. It's your story, you don't have to be stuck by any of it! Kind of a powerful feeling, huh? On another note, if you don't know what to write next because you're out of ideas, consider doodling or brainstorming as to all the different paths it might take next. You're sure to find your way out of this block because, again, it's your world, anything can happen. Research and creative input help too. Sometimes we're stuck because we've poured everything into the book, and ingested nothing new to keep it going. You can get more inspiration from real conversations you overhear or something you see, stuff which can't be experienced staring at a blank document. Get back out into the world. Observe. Blend story elements you've always wanted to use and bring it to life as something new. And, if you know what you want to happen and you just don't know how to get it there, then feel free to angrily write how frustrating it is to not know how to word things, or why your characters aren't budging. Uh, writing is one of the few professions in which it's accepted and encouraged that you'll be talking to yourself, so take advantage of that. At some point you'll talk yourself straight into an epiphany and impress yourself with how you had the answers all along. Finally, if you are beating yourself up over it, if you're anxious and blue and can barely get out of bed or just can't get it together to write...that would be the time to let it go. Cut yourself some slack, take care of yourself and the things you need to be healthy, physically and mentally and everything else. Your writing will be waiting for you when you get back, and it'll be a lot more welcoming then, too.
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AuthorCarrie is a burgeoning writer in North America. She thinks about stories 23/7 because everyone needs some time off. She enjoys apples, giving and receiving feedback, and couch-fort gaming with loved ones. Archives
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