Real but not True

 

I am in the middle of a couple of projects right now. They are both the result of having been hobbled for a way to complete them and then heeding my own advice and taking a step back. I gave my brain a chance to stew quietly about the fate of my characters and their story, and in time they called me back and said they were ready to continue. It reminded me that there was actually something rather profound in my pronouncement that there was no actually writer's block. Kind of like the old saying, if you love something set it free, and in time it will come back to you. I did and it did. And now I am in the very satisfying position of taking two rather old and tired tales, and infusing them with the ideas which were stewing away in my head for all those months, without my knowledge.

While these stories are still works in progress, I was reminded of the sage words I wrote a couple of years ago about writer's block, which I know pissed off many who were suffering this affliction. I don't deny the reality of this, but I go back to the Zen phrase, Real but not true. So for those naysayers, all I can say is, please read this again, and please give a try. You'll be happy you did.

These two words are the scourge of any committed writer. Writer’s block. It might start like this. You have a vague idea for a story. So you grab your cup of coffee, sit down and open a word document. Half an hour later, the cup is empty and you are staring at a blank screen. A flash of fear crosses your mind. I have no ideas, I’ve got writers block. What if I can’t write anymore?

Or maybe it comes down this way. You finish a story, and you’re quite pleased and you can’t wait until the next plot line comes to you so you can start a new project. A few days later you are still waiting. You are looking around for inspiration. But there is nothing. Show me the inspiration! You plead. Nada. There’s nothing there. A few days more of this and the panic creeps in. What if that’s it? What if I never come up with another idea? Is this the end of my writing career?

Here’s the good news. Writer’s block is not terminal. I don’t know a single writer who experienced this dreaded moment, and went on to never write another word. This too shall pass. The fact is, you will get over it. You will write again, and unless you have a deadline from a publisher, this is really a nonissue.

Ideas are out there all along the road: you just may have taken an unplanned detour. Maybe you are just tired. Perhaps you have other things preying on you. Possibly you just need a break from it all. So what to do? As the Tao says. Do nothing. Go for a walk. Take a road trip. Meet up with friends. Read a good book. Seriously! Above all don’t fight it. I’ll repeat it, “This too shall pass.”

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