If you are a writer looking for encouragement and help with your writing, you are in the right place. For my newsletter this month, I asked fellow writers about writer’s block.
Is Writer’s Block Real for You?
Look up writer’s block on the internet and you’ll find diverse opinions. Some believe it’s a real thing but others don’t. Writer’s block, simply defined, is the inability to write.
For this newsletter I asked fellow writers about their feelings on the topic. Again, I found varying replies.
Kimberley wrote that writer’s block shows itself in the lack of desire to complete a project…or feeling overwhelmed. Her best solution is to ask for prayer from her writing community and says it makes all the difference for her.
Ruth says she has done different things to break through, such as a brisk walk that includes prayer about it, or reading about the topic she’s writing about.
Donna says it’s not troublesome for her. If she writes to a space that stalls her, she reads the last page she wrote and sees what falls into place. That’s usually enough to move forward.
Suzuko finds that reading a book, watching an episode of a show or part of a movie, listening to music or drawing help to break out of it. Sometimes she will get out of the house and perhaps do some errands. Prayer is part of her process too.
Terrie, author of five historical novels (including an upcoming book soon to be released), feels that writer’s block is a luxury. She said that teachers, plumbers, doctors and mechanics don’t get to have blocks. They just have to show up and work. She says being a serious writer, you just show up and write something, “even if it stinks.”
Harold says that preachers can’t have writer’s block. “It would not cut it to stand up Sunday morning and say, ‘I have
no inspiration today.’ Instead I do my work regardless of how opaque the process seems. I’ve often found that these are some of my most effective sermons.”
For me, when I’m not sure which way to go on a topic, or it confounds me at first thought, that’s when I’m inclined to take on another task or go for a walk, or write something different for awhile. If the topic is important enough to me, I’ll find my way around it with some thought, or a nap, or first thing the next morning. I’m not sure it’s called writer’s block for me, maybe more of a diversion while I think something through.
In our critique group we can talk out issues in our stories, to sort out with others the writing we do in a solitary space. It’s a good community to be part of.
I would agree that writing to an assignment does not give one the time to walk away. There’s a time line to honour. Like a pastor or a teacher, there’s work waiting to be done, or a message to give. And on some of those days the writing may not be as inspired. The danger of being away from the writing for too long, though, can mean death to the writing muse. It just doesn’t get done. At all.
What is it for you? Does the blank page terrify you? Are there days when you have momentary panic about what to write? Perhaps you’ll be inspired by ideas shared here. Turn to another piece of writing, or try out a writer’s prompt to get you motivated to go back to that big project again, whatever it happens to be.
Keep on writing!
Remember November is National Novel Writing Month, (NANOWRIMO). Clear away the cobwebs and commit to writing.