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Breaking Through Writer's
Block
By Marige
OBrien
Writer's block -- that sudden,
seemingly inexplicable inability to put words to paper -- can
strike any writer at any time. In fact, inexperienced writers
suffer from it more often than they realize: they just don't recognize
it for what it is. They think the lack of confidence, motivation
or experience is based on a far more serious problem. They're
half-right. What they don't realize is, that IS writer's block,
or at least some of the symptoms of it. But they are right about
it being more serious, because writer's block IS serious. Fortunately,
it's also curable, too.
Writer's block
is that worm of doubt that creeps into the writer's psyche, causing
them to second-guess each word or thought they choose and to otherwise
lose focus on their intent. The reason behind that loss is secondary,
at least as far as defining writer's block. What matters is that
writing is hard enough. When self-doubt or self-consciousness
come into play, it becomes impossible for anyone.
I know, having
recently overcome yet another bout of it. In that case, it began
when an innocent comment was made about my work. And it wasn't
even about my ability as a writer, but about my subject matter.
Had I not dealt with writer's block before, it might have been
much more serious. Only experience allowed me to overcome it with
relative ease. This time.
And, while there
IS a distinct process for conquering writer's block, the most
important thing to appreciate is that it is much more than a mere
"5 Quick Tips To..." system. Rather, it is a PROCESS,
one that is unique to each person, as are the malady and the suffering.
So, while the process can be explained, to describe it as "steps"
only denigrates both those afflicted and the cure.
With that said,
below is an outline for the process, which has worked successfully
throughout each case of writer's block.
1.
RECOGNISE IT. We've all heard the cliché, "recognizing
the problem is half the battle." In the case of writer's
block, this is especially true. BECAUSE it's so elusive, BECAUSE
it can be chalked up to so many other things, understanding that
THIS, writer's block, is the problem, really is the first step
to overcoming it.
Who has writer's
block? Strictly speaking, just about anyone who thinks they can't
write and/or anyone who creates a mystic about writing and writers.
Because anyone who can read and write CAN
be a writer-- maybe not a celebrity writer, but a competent writer,
nonetheless. And, yes, a professional writer. Because
writing is 90% skill/craft and only 10% imagination.
2.
THE SOURCE. In almost every case, the demarcation of when
the block began can be traced to a single instance. For some,
it began with a casual comment or the opinion of a person the
writer respects such as a teacher, friend or parent. For others,
it's a particular disappointment: Not getting a particular job,
not getting into a preferred college, not finding an agent or
winning a contest.
There is an infamous
story of one young writer who papered the walls of his room with
rejection slips. That writer? Ernest
Hemingway. And, anyone who has wallpapered a room knows-- that's
a LOT of paper!
Which
leads to the third stage of the process:
3.
ATTACK. Hemingway never allowed those opinions/happenstances
to stop him. Was it arrogance? Or simply the
need to write which outweighed his need to receive approval.
Whatever the case, the important thing to understand is that we
Choose HOW these incidents affect us.
If this seems
to fly in the face of logic -- because, after all, without acceptance,
how can a writer ever succeed? -- it
should be mentioned here that, while opinions do affect us, they
should never derail us. For example, suppose Hemingway had allowed
one of those rejections (which often include comments, helpful
and otherwise) to alter his determination. The world would be
a much poorer place. But he kept on. Perhaps he understood one,
universal writing truth: no, SINGLE opinion is that important.
This is because READING
is so subjective. Anyone who has put down a well-recommended book
knows this. Even best-selling authors have their critics, just
as anyone who reads has their preferred writers as well as writers
they dislike.
So find the instance
that sparked the block and look at it objectively. Question the
source, question your own expectations'
realism. Something about the incident unfairly popped the balloon
of your enthusiasm. Find it, break it down and question its
until you gain perspective. And, yes, this type of introspection
may take years.
4.
VALIDITY. Writer's block cannot exist in a vacuum. That is,
if a writer doesn't CARE about writing, there would be no block.
It's precisely because one cares that the block exists. While
this may seem obvious, what is less apparent is understanding
WHY the writer cares: because
they want/need to write. Stop looking for validity elsewhere.
There is validity enough in the simple desire/compulsion to write.
Simply put: if you want to write, that's enough.
5.
BRIDGE THE GAP. Having established the problem, its source
and found motivation in validity, all that remains is to overcome
the actual block.
(Hah! Is THAT
all!?) It's true. Overcoming it CAN pose an extraordinary challenge.
And, since this is an intensely personal challenge and dependent
on the actual situation, all that can be said here is to work
to find some reconciliation. For example, in my latest case of
writer's block, I realized that the comment was short-sighted
and shallow since the commentator had only a vague understanding
of the content to begin with. Realizing this, I managed to put
it aside.
And, if the problem
is mechanical (grammar, punctuation, etc.), recognize that and
work on it. In all cases there is a solution. It's just a matter
of finding it.--mo
About the author:
Marige O'Brien works as
a writer, web designer and Internet Marketer. Visit her Website,
Tracker Mo's Den for her latest recommendations
in i-marketing tools and biz opps. Sign up for her free, 100%
original, weekly newsletter, Tracker Mo's Report.
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