Confronting Writer’s Block

Writer’s block
— the one convenient excuse writers all lean upon at one time.
Writing and other forms
of artistic talent are not magical gifts revealing themselves only when
they want to take over our minds. This is not to say there are no great
moments of inspiration. Emotions definitely compel us to be creative
at times. But, writing is also a skill that takes practice. Lots of practice.
Genuine writer’s block is rare, but conquerable.

Defining the Block

Writer’s block is the inability to continue work
on a specific project. There is not a complete loss of creativity or
talent. Seldom, if ever, does a writer lose the ability to produce a
coherent sentence. Being “stuck” on a project, unable
to make progress, is frustrating.
What should be a pause on a single project becomes an emotional, intellectual
paralysis.

Causes

We believe there are three primary causes of writer’s
block. Once you identify the cause of your writer’s
block, you can work to overcome it. These
causes are:

1. Weak motivation.
2. Lack of planning.
3. Perfectionism.

Motivation Issues

Weak motivation assumes several forms, ranging from waiting
for “inspiration” to
finding other tasks more interesting. If you have a general lack of motivation,
it is not writer’s block. Struggling with a work-related assignment is
also not unique.

As a creative writer, if a work does not inspire you,
the work should wait. The truth is, that if you are losing interest in
a creative work, the odds are that your readers would also lose interest.
Switching projects allows you to find new focus. You can return to the
problematic work later, with a fresh perspective.

Planning Issues

A lack of planning causes block when the writer has no
idea what must happen to advance the plot. While some writers
“simply sit and write,” they tend to have a clear mental
outline of either the story or the main characters. Often it is inexperienced
writers who believe works flow, uninterrupted, as if writing themselves.

How you plan matters less than that you plan. There are
a great many approaches, ranging from linear outlines to “inside-out”
drafting that starts with the climactic events and works outward. Whether
you brainstorm on blank paper or use note cards to organize scenes, you
must do something to organize your thoughts. Writers often find that
planning leads to unexpected insights.

Perfectionism

Perfectionism causes terrible forms of writer’s
block, accompanied by anxiety. If there is a genuine form of writer’s
block, it is perfectionism. The struggle for the perfect word or phrase
is familiar to all writers. Good writers do measure each word, to make
sure it has value. Unfortunately, contemplating each word can quickly
change from necessary discipline to unhealthy obsession.

Remember that a work can be revised. Finish a draft before
worrying about minor details. That advice is easy to offer, and hard
to follow. We are never satisfied with any work, even after it is published.
Learning when to move on, when to let a word or phrase be “good enough”
comes with experience.

Treatments

We suggest writers and artists stop thinking they are
not professionals. Many artists posses
“natural” talents, which are often called
“gifts.” A gift not utilized is worthless
— and art can have a pretty nice value.

Writing is a talent, as is the ability to analyze complex mathematics
in one’s mind. We never hear about
“physicist’s block,” unless you count Einstein’s
quest for the Unified Force.

We know many “writers” are screaming, “How dare they
compare me to a physicist!” You must want to be a writer; strive
to be a professional.

Adopt a Business Mentality

Professional writers write. They go to work on a schedule
and attempt to meet deadlines —
self-imposed or external. If you are an aspiring writer, then you have
to adopt this discipline, too.

Do you believe the Great Masters set forth to paint or sculpt only when
inspiration struck? They worked to earn money or other means of support,
such as noble patronage. Most of these men were not altruistic. Even
Picasso realized that while his talents differed from those of others,
he had to earn money. Every project, even if it is not your ideal, is
an opportunity to practice some skills.

Be Prolific

Shakespeare wrote a lot. (Not to mention the fact that
he “borrowed” a great many ideas, but that’s a scholarly
issue.) He did so because his audiences and patrons demanded new material.
If he had not written steadily he might have found himself guiding a
wooden plow behind an ox. At best, William would have been a merchant
like his father. Shakespeare knew that success is doing, maybe not always
with brilliance, but doing.

The most prolific writers achieve the greatest successes, and not by
accident. It is a cliché, but you must exercise creativity to
improve it. Writing on a regular schedule, preferably daily, is the key
to success. Think of this time as a gym appointment for your creativity.
Some writers set a daily minimum of time in front of the keyboard or
legal pad, while others prefer a minimum number of pages. Whatever workout
rules you establish, stick to them. You create a lot of junk when following
a schedule, but you also increase the odds of creating a masterpiece.

Professionals do not write a single great work and then sit around complaining
about how they would find wealth.

“If only the right person would read it,” a typical faux-writer
complains, “then it would set me free to really pursue writing.”

Having a masterpiece in hand, or on computer disk, might mean nothing.
Remember that while your opinion of your work is important, it is just
that — your opinion. Writing numerous works (in several genres)
improves the chances of selling one of your works. Selling one work usually
leads to the question, “What else do you have?” Are you prepared
to stare blankly at the floor?