Writer's Block and Writer's "Blah"

People define writer's block in different ways. Some claim that there's no such thing as writer's block; to them, the term is just an excuse for procrastination. Others swear that writer's block is a real problem which should be taken seriously.

I believe that writer's block is real. In my experience, there are two categories of writer's block. The more serious kind of writer's block - what I call the "entrenched" kind - is a true inability to access one's creative powers. Negative emotions and beliefs are the obstacles here. The other kind of writer's block is simply a case of writer's "blah" - in other words, plain old boredom.

"Entrenched" writer's block

For me, entrenched writer's block is a painful but (thankfully) rare phenomenon. I sit at the computer or pick up a notebook with zero enthusiasm and grimly crank out sentences, just so I can say I tried. If I have a particularly bad case of writer's block, I might not try at all. Entrenched writer's block occurs during times of extreme stress, such as bouts of depression or grief. Nothing helps except time. I simply have to wait until the stress becomes manageable and I feel like writing again.

Others may experience this kind of writer's block differently. The solution can often be found by addressing the emotional or psychological source of the problem. For example, say your writer's block stems from fear of rejection. You can use journaling or writing exercises as "safe," private ways to express yourself. You can throw out your stack of rejection slips, or at least put them out of sight. You can learn to enjoy writing again for its own sake.

Similarly, if your writer's block stems from a belief that you're not any good and your chances for improvement are nil, you can change that belief. You can look at writing you did years ago and compare it to recent work. If you're not convinced that you've improved, seek help from a writing coach or a supportive writers' group.

Writer's block got you down?

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