Writer's Block--Real or An Excuse?

Writer's Block! Is there such a condition, or is it a poor excuse for writers who don't want to work very hard? I'd probably answer no to both those questions, with reservations. 

Like all arguments, there is rarely an 'all no' or an 'all yes' answer. There are definitely times when we lack inspiration or don't feel like writing. That isn't necessarily 'writer's block.' The dictionary defines it as: 

the condition of being unable to think of what to write or how to proceed with writing.

If that's how the 'condition' is defined, we've all experienced it, some of us more than others. When did it first hit? Maybe when you had an essay test in high school, and you sat there staring at the question for so long that you felt your eyes beginning to cross. Now, in your writing life, there are moments comparable to that. 

Another term for writer's block is Blank Page Syndrome. I rather like that one because it is not so cliched as writer's block. We've seen WB over and over again. There are those who staunchly believe that there is a condition that keeps writers from doing what they do--write! Others think it is merely an all in the head situation and that lazy writers use it as the perfect excuse. I suppose there are a few who exercise the excuse but very few. 

We've all had times when writing something new is hard, Terribly hard. The question is not "What is writer's block" but rather what causes writer's block?"

I think the majority of the reason is one small word that carries great weight. Fear  Do you think it's silly for adults to have fears? It isn't a bit silly or foolish. It's quite real for some writers. They can harbor several. To name a few types of fears writers have:

• rejection
• not being good enough
• failure
• not having enough time
• lack of structure resulting in fear

Exhaustion can result in being unable to write. When that happens, give in to the fact that you need to take a break. Whether it's a day, or a week, or more is up to you. We're aware that walking away, whether from exhaustion or something else, is a good way to get back to writing the way you want to. One situation to be aware of and avoid is to walk away for so long that going back to writing feels like climbing Mt. Everest. 

Look for inspiration wherever you go. If a story idea comes to you, jump on it and start writing the first draft. Don't only think about it. Act. 

Maybe if you talk yourself 'into' writer's block, you can also talk yourself 'out of it.'