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.'

Is Writer's Block Real?

Writer's Block is a term we hear on a frequent basis if we are part of the writing world. Even people who are not writers know those words and what they mean. The poor writer sits in front of the computer and cannot come up with anything to say. It's what a lot of writers will tell you is an inevitable part of being a word person.

Is there really such a thing as Writer's Block or is it an excuse? I have a feeling people will line up on both sides of that question. There must be. I say that only because if you google the term, you will get a lengthy list of cures or help for the illness. And yes, I think many writers do consider it an illness. Maybe that's a good thing.

It's good in the respect that we usually get over an illness like a cold, the flu or even chicken pox. So, doesn't that give you encouragement that you will also get over the dreaded virus called Writer's Block? 

The plethora of articles addressing the condition usually offer a certain number of ways to combat the problem. You'll find lots of titles like these. 5 Ways To Fight Writer's Block or The 12 Step Plan For Writer's Block or 10 Ways To End Writer's Block. I made up those titles but I guarantee you'll find many similar ones in google's list. Those numbers used in the titles are meant to give encouragement to suffering writers. Wow! This article is going to give me a step by step program. Maybe it will and maybe it won't.

You might still have the problem after reading the article. More than once, I've asked myself if the well has run dry. We all know ourselves fairly well. We know what makes us tick. We are aware of our pluses and minuses. We know how we react to this possible Writer's Block. If you've had it once, chances are that you'll have it again. 

What about the question that I posed earlier in this post? ...or is it an excuse?  It's possible. There are lazy people in this world and so it stands to reason that there are also some lazy writers. Isn't it easier to sit at your computer and tell yourself you can't write than it is to come up with an idea? I bet you've noticed that nothing comes easy in this world of ours. We have to work at being successful in what we do. 

Here's my list of things I do when I'm having trouble coming up with something to write about:

• Leave the computer and take a walk, make a phone call, or run an errand.
• Do a freewrite exercise--amazing what will come into your mind from the photo prompts or word prompt exercises.
• Read a book or magazine for awhile; other peoples' writing might trigger your own.
• Have a cup of coffee or a soda and analyze yourself to see if you can pinpoint the why part of your Writer's Block.
• Pull out something you wrote that you especially like and read it again; prove to yourself that you can write. 

What do you do if and when Writer's Block hits you? Help another writer by sharing in our comments section. 

A Community For Writers And Those Interested In Writing

This is the cheerful graphic that will greet you at Linda Carlson's Writer's Block. Linda is the owner/moderator of this interactive writing communtiy and Wordsmith, its offshoot. These two sister sites are all about giving writers a chance to gather in a community, or a neighborhood, for those with an interest in writing. It's not necessary to be a writer to join and enjoy the fruits of the groups.

Linda is gifted with the ability to use graphics to illustrate the stories and poems posted. I use the term 'gifted' because her interpretation of other's writing can sometimes be almost magical. Linda has waved her magic wand over several of the nonfiction stories and poems I've posted and when I see what she's done, I almost always am bowled over. To see a sample, look at this memoir story I posted to see what Linda did with it. She had asked me to send a photo of my grandmother. I was thrilled with the result.

Because there is so much to see on these sites, Linda has a page that will help you navigate easily. It's all in one place for you. Click on each topic and read, then go back to the list and click on another. Besides helping navigate this particular site, I found it to be a fab lesson in learning all the little things on the top tool bar. I knew many of them but a few were new to me.

Recently, Linda has added a section of Writing Opportunities by linking to a blog that lists places looking for submissions from writers. I spent some time with it last evening and was wowed by the numerous places that were new to me.

Start here. You'll see the poster above, then scroll down the page until you find the list of topics and start reading.(On most of the pages, you must scroll down to find what you want or click on a link that will take you to a new page.) Next, you'll want to read some of the other writers posts and comments. And finally, you can post work of your own. No worries about being accepted by an editor. You post your work here for the enjoyment of others. No one will critique your work, unless you specifically ask them to. Positive comments are allowed, negatives are not.

You do have to create an account to become a member of this writing community. But I assure you that it is free, easy and has no bearing on anything else you do. Websites which require creating an account do so to keep spammers out, so it's to your benefit. Once you have created your account, bookmark the site. I am considered signed in each time I return so am automatically taken to the page, no having to put in the user name and password each time. See how easy it is.

This is a place where writes can post, read the writing of others, chat with other writers or people interested in writing, and feel comfortable. Put in a nutshell--it's comfort food for writers! To get the most out of it, you need to participate.

One word of caution:  Remember that anything you post on this site, or any other, is considered published, and you will not be able to submit and sell to an editor except as a reprint. My personal solution to this problem is to post work at Writer's Block that has already been published elsewhere first.

For a complete printable guide to joining this writing community, go here.

Molly Samuels--Guest Blogger

Molly Samuels

When Nancy asked me to be her guest blogger today, my first emotion was dismay. After all, I haven’t written anything to speak of for over two years. Prior to that, I’d been an active member of an online critique group with two novels under my belt and a third in outline form.

Writing fiction came into my life later than most, although at the tender age of 8, I penned the first line of what I then hoped would be The Great American Novel: “Will the Boots and Saddles Club please come to order!”

Not knowing what came next scared me so badly, my next attempt fiction didn’t happen for another 40 years. As early retirement began to loom large on the horizon, it became obvious that if I were ever going to achieve my dream of writing novels, I’d better get cracking.

Over the next few years, my self-education consisted of “how to write” books, classes, critique groups, and sheer determination. Words would flow from my fingers, and I’d wonder in which crevice of my brain they’d been hiding. I was jaw-droppingly fascinated when my characters wrested control of a scene from me. Rejections came, the bane of every writer. I learned to accept them with resignation, or, increasingly, joy over a hand-written note from an agent. My last novel came this close to being published. All I needed to do was “make a few more changes.”

Then, in the middle of the umpteenth “final” draft, it all stopped. No ordinary “writer’s block,” the words simply would not come. The onset of this creative drought coincided with the death of my spouse after a long illness. I’ve since heard of other people whose creative flow dried to a trickle in the face of personal trauma. It happens. Some people find solace in writing. Some don’t. Apparently, I fall into the latter category.

I share this with you because some of you might also be experiencing a creative drought.  As of today, I want to assure you it isn’t permanent. After two years, my “how to write” books are calling to me again as I sit at my computer. The old excitement of putting words on paper is stirring awake. Will the long hiatus change the tenor of my writing? If so, will it be for the better, or simply be different? I haven’t a clue, but I’m eager to find out.

May you discover peace, delight, and many blessings in your own creative journey, no matter what obstacles you encounter along the way.