When asked once about writer’s block, novelist Allan Gurganus said, “My theory is you don’t get it if you don’t believe in it. I’ve never heard of anyone getting plumber’s block, or traffic cop’s block….”
I couldn’t agree more. Writer’s block is this myth that keeps permeating throughout the industry. We cannot claim to be writers if we haven’t suffered for it! What hogwash.
Writer’s block isn’t. Writer’s anxiety and fear is. Boredom is. Perfectionism is. An easy excuse is. But to place some mental incapacity on your creativity because someone suggests it must be so is just crazy making. Can’t finish that novel because of “writer’s block”? Think about what is really stopping you – fear of writing yourself into a corner, fear of not being able to get all the ideas down coherently, fear of writing a bad story, laziness…. it’s not a “block” – you haven’t lost your ideas or your abilities. You’re just afraid to write and see where it takes you.
You’re anxious, you’re afraid, you’re tired of the story, etc. Or you’ve written your heroine Sylvia and her faithful dog to the edge of the cliff, but you don’t know if you should make them jump. Is that a block? No. It’s a creative decision to be made. What to do with it? Why not try writing it both ways, eh? Why throw your hands up in the air, declare a block, and give up without trying?
Frankly, I’m willing to bet more “writer’s block” resembles someone looking for an easy way out of a sticky writing situation, as in “Couldn’t finish that novel – got a bad case of writer’s block.” To which friends and colleagues would nod in agreement and make sympathetic murmurs. Get an ego stroke right alongside the permission to fail to reach the goal – who wouldn’t use writer’s block in those instances?
Do yourself a favor – toss this writing myth in the trash pile next to the “write what you know” garbage. Don’t fall back on a made-up excuse for your own inability to press forward.
I agree 100,000 percent.
Writer’s block is luxury that professionals do not have.
I couldn’t respectfully disagree more, BUT I don’t think nonfiction writers experience blocks. It is a phenomenon that curses creatives (fiction writers, song writers, visual artists).
When we write articles or nonfiction books, we often have deadlines to meet. They are a tremendous impetus to find the words and finish. Plus, we’ve usually researched the topic and have the information at hand.
It is a completely different experience to be “making it up” as you go along, even with a novel outlined. I’ve been to the empty well, several times. That’s why I write mostly nonfiction.
Very good points, Georganna. Still, I wonder about those folks who struggled with writer’s block for years – what’s really the issue there?
Right on the money as always, Lori. When it comes to personal projects, I find I have no trouble getting started. It’s seeing them through to completion that I’m lacking.
I used to have long periods when I just couldn’t force myself to write a word, followed by frenzied periods where I would do nothing but write for days at a time. I was finally diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Now that I’m stable on meds, I’m having far fewer days when I can’t make myself write…but I do miss those delightful “highs.”
I dunno. I’ve definitely had some legitimate writer’s block.
Of course… I’ve had a heck of a lot more lazy or bored days that I’ve written off as writer’s block.
Great post, as always Lori!
Lori, I’m glad I found your blog… I couldn’t agree more about the fears behind writer’s block, and I also enjoyed your piece on putting clients in “time out.” Thanks!