Writers Block is a Myth

Writers Block is a Myth I used to believe in writers block. On the days when I would sit at the computer or page and feel like I had nothing to say, Id say, Oh, I have writers block, and then go off and do something else. Having this disease of writers block gave me an excuse to avoid the hard work of writing. It was a crutch, something I could point to when someone asked how the writing was going. Oh, I have writers block, I could say dramatically and sound like some sort of tortured artist who had much to say and could write great works, if only I werent burdened with this terrible disease. And then I wised up to what writers block really is. Its a myth, created by writers who know they should be writing but who simply dont want to put in the work. Theyd rather walk the dog, watch a movie, or play a game than write. They simply cant admit that they dont want to write because its hard work or because they simply arent that dedicated to the occupation. Its easier and more face saving to invent this mythical condition that afflicts only the gifted and artistic. In what other field do you hear of some kind of block? Outside of other artistic pursuits like painting or sculpting, you dont. You never hear about a brain surgeon who stands in front of an open skull and says, I cant operate today because I have surgeons block. You dont hear about a mechanic who stands in front of an open hood and says, You know, I have mechanics block and cant do this right now. You never see the great athlete who gets to the Olympics and says, I cant run today because I have runners block. Nope. In almost every other occupation and pursuit people just get on with the work. They do what they have to do because it is their job, or because their dream is on the line. If you think of writing as your job (even if its a hobby), youll never have writers block. You will always find something to write. If one project isnt firing for you, you start another one or work on another existing project. If you are having trouble getting into the groove, you do some free writing until you get there. Or, you write something even if its horrible just to get the words flowing, knowing that everything can be fixed and that your job is to move this project forward. If you cant think of your writing as a job to be done no matter how your delicate artistic temperament is feeling that day, then you need to find another occupation. Writers block is defined as, The condition of being unable to think of what to write or how to proceed with writing. This should never be a problem for a writer. You should always be able to write something. Maybe its not perfect (or even good) and maybe its got nothing to do with your primary project. But each time you sit down to write, you should be able to think of something to write, or some way to proceed. If you dont, its not because you have some terrible disease called writers block. Its because you have one of the following afflictions: Laziness You dont want to work this hard You dont want it (success, publication, money, etc.) enough You dont like writing all that much and should probably find another hobby or occupation Something else is simply more important to you The project youre working on isnt for you (too difficult, not your specialty, its irredeemably bad, etc.) and its time to ditch it and start something else. Lack of confidence in your ability Fear Lack of ability Whatever ails you can be solved. You can dump a bad project. You can deal with your fear. You can do the work to become a better writer. You can decide writing isnt for you and go out and become a wrestler, instead. You dont have a disease, you have a problem that needs to be solved. If you solve the problem and approach writing as a professional, youll never say, I have writers block again. The day I began to see writing as my job, even if I wasnt getting paid for it just yet, the writers block disappeared. I knew I had to work at writing, just like I would have to work at any other occupation. There is no exemption because Im in an artistic field. Theres no excuse for not doing the work, short of illness or some sort of catastrophe. Just like any employer would expect me to get the work done no matter what, I now expect the same for myself. Now that Ive adopted that attitude, I can always find something to write or some project to work on. Writers block is for divas who believe that writing is some mystical gift governed by a muse who either appears for you or doesnt. Its an excuse used to get someone out of the hard work of becoming a better writer. Its not for professionals who treat writing as a job to be done. (Photo courtesy of Drew Coffman)