Writer’s block. The ultimate bane of keyboard jockeys everywhere. You’ve likely stared it in the face. Maybe you’re dealing with it today. Writing is a creative process, so it takes time. However, as a professional writer, you no doubt have a full understanding that fingertips hovering above the keyboard won’t pay the bills. You’ve got to get something of superior quality on the screen.
But…
You just can’t!
There’s a bit of psychology behind this potentially devastating phenomenon. With a closer look, you’ll see what you should never call your condition writer’s block and what else you should do.
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What Is Writer’s Block?
When we picture the stereotypical writing struggling with writer’s block, the idea of a creative pounding his or her head against a desk and pulling hair out in clumps comes to mind. This is an entirely frustrating experience that is most commonly associated with a lack of creativity, but it’s experienced in many different ways.
For some writers, it’s a blank screen with no amazing ideas coming to mind. For others, it’s a sense that nothing is good enough. You may write a few sentence only to clear it out and start again. Then, there are writers who have a complete lack of focus. Something that they could’ve done in an hour might take a day or two. If you’re plagued by self-doubt, regularly lured away from the screen or are wearing out your backspace button, it’s time to make a change.
Symptoms of Writer’s Block
Now, you know the outward expression of writer’s block, but what are the symptoms? How do you feel inside?
- The joy of writing is gone.
- You’ve given up on your writing ambitions.
- You feel or express negative energy.
- You aren’t motivated.
- Your passion and creativity have run dry.
- Your mind is blank.
How Long Does Writer’s Block Last?
The good news is that writer’s block doesn’t usually last very long. For some people, it’s gone in a day or two. For others, however, suffering can extend for several years or longer. In some cases, it’ll clear up on its own. Simply taking your mind off of the problem is the perfect resolution.
However, when writer’s block lasts for more than a few days, your career is in serious jeopardy. After all, professional writers have deadlines and clients. They need to do great work within a specific time frame. You stand to lose money and clients (i.e., future projects) if you don’t break free from the grips of your dilemma soon.
Why Does It Happen?
One of the reasons why writer’s block is so prevalent is because there are numerous potential causes. What are some of the many causes of writer’s block?
- Burnout
- Perfectionism
- Poor self-confidence
- Fear of rejection
- Depression or anxiety
- Stress
- Pressure
- Financial strain
- Lack of inspiration or ideas
This isn’t a catch-all list. The bottom line is that anything that prevents you from working as usual is a cause of writer’s block. You know yourself and know what your biggest weaknesses are related to writing.
The Impact of Writer’s Block
While stress, depression and anxiety are symptoms of writer’s block, they can also result from (or worsen because of) writer’s block. These mental health effects can be serious, and you should seek support and treatment if needed.
There other impacts to consider. For example, you might start to worry that you’re not cut out to be a writer. This could lead you to avoid some more challenging, yet potentially more lucrative assignments. You may not apply for jobs or projects because you feel as though you aren’t qualified. You may even throw in the towel altogether and move on to a different career if your case is serious.
Often, time and scheduling are serious issues as well. Even when writer’s block lasts only a few hours, you’re set back in your schedule by those hours. You’re not just talking about potentially completing an assignment late. You’re also talking about completing the other projects in the pipeline late. One project may be the source of your stress, but all of your client relationships can be jeopardized.
As a professional writer, you no doubt take pleasure in your craft (at least most of the time.) However, this problem can zap you of that passion and motivation. You may have once made money doing something you love, but writing becomes a chore until the block is broken.
There are also effects away from your computer. If you aren’t submitting projects or are losing clients, your bottom line is affected. When you aren’t earning as much as you once did, you may be saving less money or may not be able to pay your bills. This affects many aspects of your life as well as the lives of those who depend on your income.
How to Break Writer’s Block
While the impacts on your life can be devastating, there are some effective ways to break writer’s block. Not every strategy will work for everyone all of the time. The next time you run into a brick wall, try these tactics:
The Golden Rule: Don’t Say Writer’s Block
There is a psychological element involved with writer’s block. When you give something a name, it becomes real. However, some experienced writers will tell you that writer’s block is actually all in your head. It’s not real at all but rather a perception. When you dwell on the idea of being stuck, you give yourself an excuse. The absolute worst thing you can do is make excuses. Instead, you need to focus on getting your spark back and staying productive to some degree.
Keep Writing
With that in mind, you need to keep writing. If you’re stuck on how to tackle an assignment or project, open your journal and write something else. Another strategy is to pour out anything that comes to mind. Let your mind flow through your fingertips. It may not be your best work, but it’s something to start with. You can then go back and edit it to perfection.
Take a Break
After I write to look, my brain feels a bit mushy. It’s a sure sign that a break is necessary. However, you don’t necessarily need to wait until your head is a scrambled mess to take a break. Instead, as soon as you feel yourself slowing down or getting distracted, close your laptop. Get up and find something else to do for a few minutes. Turn on the TV, do the laundry or walk the dog. Just make sure not to take too long getting back to your computer. When you give yourself a mental break, you ward off a mental and creative shutdown.
Fill Your Belly
Hunger can rob you of concentration and focus. It affects your cognitive functions, and a rumbling tummy can make it difficult to focus on anything other than what’s in the fridge. On the other hand, eating too much can cause sleepiness. When choosing foods, avoid sugary, processed foods when possible. These will inevitably lead to an energy crash a few hours later. Instead, make healthy selections and choose reasonable portions.
Start Somewhere Else
Are you trying to figure out how to start a piece? The intro is among the most important elements of a writing assignment, and that puts a lot of pressure on you to craft something that is the epitome of perfection. However, you don’t need to start at the beginning. Instead, writing the closing. Make an outline. Write a specific section of the piece that seems easier to you. If the beginning isn’t coming to you yet, there’s no reason let that stop you in your tracks.
Do Some Research
Another way to get over a hump is to read. Educate yourself about the topic of your assignment, including various offshoots that you could incorporate into your work to make it better. Let yourself wander down that rabbit hole of knowledge by following a link trail. You’ll inevitably feel inspired at some point, and you may write something far superior to what you otherwise would have written.
Switch Gears
If you’re fortune enough to have a pile of assignments to work on, don’t let one back you up. Set the troubling assignment aside for the time being. Start working on something else until you are ready to shift gears back to the original assignments. By doing so, you won’t feel the stress of falling behind. You also give your brain a chance to work in the background on the first assignment.
While writer’s block wreaks havoc on some writers’ activities, you don’t have to let that happen to you. Put some of these techniques to work. Find what”s best for your situation. Keep these ideas in your back pocket for future challenges, too.