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For those struggling to write during a month when many are trying to write:
Writer's block is NOT a myth. Congrats to those who don't suffer from it, but it's real. That doesn't mean there is nothing to do, that you can't find ways to work through or around it. But it exists.
Writer's block is NOT a myth. Congrats to those who don't suffer from it, but it's real. That doesn't mean there is nothing to do, that you can't find ways to work through or around it. But it exists.
Writer's block is like when you go to open your mouth in front of a big crowd of people, but suddenly nothing will come out and you want to go and hide. Or, it's like other things too. It's different for everyone. It's when you *should* be able to write, but suddenly, can't.
Some might be more comfortable labeling it as anxiety, fear, confusion, avoidance, lack of confidence, lack of practice, lack of preparation...any number of things. It doesn't really matter what you call it. It's when your ability to write suddenly gets much worse or "stops."
There is usually an element of mystery to the blockage to the writer herself, otherwise we'd just say "oh I'm tired today" or "oh I didn't plan out this chapter well enough." Instead it's "Why can't I write? Why will nothing come, or it comes but won't come out right?"
The question is really about how to accept the uneven nature of the experience of writing for so many people. It will not always feel great or be easy or even "feel" possible. No matter what some would prefer you to believe, it *is* real work and it *is* often hard.
So I think it's helpful to move away from the rather accusatory semantics of writer's block not being "real." Many experience it. It's real. It's what you do to keep writing, how to work around it, how you don't make an excuse out of it, that matters.
Please share your own ways to get through writer's block below. Or if you want to hear mine, I'll add those too.
My three main tactics to deal with writers block boil down to:
1. Let it be bad
2. Read someone else good
3. Take a walk
And then there is a 4th, emergency cord one to pull:
4. Speak it, then edit a transcript
Which I need depends on what level of writing is required.
1. Let it be bad
2. Read someone else good
3. Take a walk
And then there is a 4th, emergency cord one to pull:
4. Speak it, then edit a transcript
Which I need depends on what level of writing is required.
For #1, Let It Be Bad
This is best for first drafts, and can be easier if you have at least a few goal posts to hit, i.e. "this should describe how they met" or "this is the chapter about the oyster pirates." But you can just write badly into the void with no direction, too.
This is best for first drafts, and can be easier if you have at least a few goal posts to hit, i.e. "this should describe how they met" or "this is the chapter about the oyster pirates." But you can just write badly into the void with no direction, too.
For #2, Read Someone Else Good
I use this at all levels, really. Sometimes if I can't even get a 1st draft, I'll start by reading good writing to inspire me. It can also help when I'm ready to rewrite a 1st or 2nd draft and want to be reminded of the sorts of cadences I like.
I use this at all levels, really. Sometimes if I can't even get a 1st draft, I'll start by reading good writing to inspire me. It can also help when I'm ready to rewrite a 1st or 2nd draft and want to be reminded of the sorts of cadences I like.
For #3, Take a Walk
Good for any stage. Can loosen one up for shitty first drafts, but can also help clarify thoughts for revisions. Whenever it just feels too hard or frustrating, sometimes it's counterproductive to keep at it. Literally walk away for a bit. This is work too.
Good for any stage. Can loosen one up for shitty first drafts, but can also help clarify thoughts for revisions. Whenever it just feels too hard or frustrating, sometimes it's counterproductive to keep at it. Literally walk away for a bit. This is work too.
#4, Break Glass For Emergency: Dictation
This happened to me once before. I was really excited to write this one chapter of my first book. I had brand new research I couldn't wait to share. So naturally I couldn't write it at all. Too much pressure. (Continued...)
This happened to me once before. I was really excited to write this one chapter of my first book. I had brand new research I couldn't wait to share. So naturally I couldn't write it at all. Too much pressure. (Continued...)
