Writer's Block

 

                                            

                Writer's Block: Real But Not True

As you may know I turned this blog into a book, which I published a couple of years ago. The idea was to give continuity to my take on the writing process. 

I thought it was high time I repeated what I consider the most poignant (perhaps too self-serving a word) posts from the blog. 

This one got me into some hot water with those who have experienced this most debilitating affliction of the passionate writer, but if you hear me out, or read me out, perhaps you will see that while this is a frustrating problem with most writers, it is neither chronic nor terminal.

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.”

Now the plug so that you can have all the posts in one neat little package.

https://www.amazon.ca/Just-Write-Already-Stephen-Porter/dp/0995960348