The Bane of My Existence

Is it an exaggeration? Not really . . . Okay, maybe a little, but not by much. I'm talking about the terrible and unspeakable pain that is: Writer's block. Honestly, there seem to be some strange misconceptions floating around about the term. And yes, I'm sure everyone experiences it differently, but this is my blog, so we're gonna address what I feel are some myths about the dreaded condition.

Writer's Block Myth Number 1: It means a writer cannot write. Anything. At all.

Now I'll admit, for a long time, I actually believed this myth. I was a young writer who needed a plausible explanation for why I wasn't actively pursuing what I claimed to want for a career. So, whenever I simply didn't feel like writing, I would exclaim that I was suffering from writer's block and then tuck myself and a blanket onto the couch with a good book. And, really, writer's block is real and it is a hinderance to what you want to do. But, it doesn't mean you are incapable of writing, just that it's not coming easily. My advice? Keep writing anyway. Even if it's atrocious, even if you have to fight for every word. Write anyway.

Writer's Block Myth Number 2: Nothing good can come of it.

I disagree, heartily. Sure, maybe it won't feel or appear to be your best work - maybe it might actually be some of your worst - but that's ok. And you know why? Because writing is an actual art form. Just because everyone has the ability to write, it doesn't mean that everyone works to hone that ability or create with it. Do you know what every artist of any art form will tell you? That it takes practice. Yes, a bit of talent won't hurt, but ultimately, you have to want it and work for it to be good. So yes - writing while dealing with writer's block may be unusable, but the things you learn are still valuable: Even in such a time as this.

Writer's Block Myth Number 3: You have to have a reason to be experiencing it.

False, false, false. We like to explain away everything in the world, but sometimes, it's ok to just feel a thing. Sure, it might help you to talk about it and you can definitely work on getting better when you know the root cause, but first, just sit with it. I've had writer's block for all the usual reasons: Being busy, feeling burned out, setting poor expectations for myself, lacking interest in the topic, etc. But I've also had it just because. Writing can be very cerebral, it's true, but it is also a very emotionally driven act - Especially when it's real and worth writing. So, no, I don't think you need to have a definitive reason as to why you've been hit by writer's block, but I do think you can't let that keep hold of you. Acknowledge it, feel it, and then push to write anyway.

Now, again, these are just my opinions about something that all writer's experience at one time or another. Of course I can't speak for everyone who's ever been afflicted, nor can I claim to know just the way for everyone to overcome it (so do or don't follow my advice), but these are things that I know from my experiences and from talking to other writers. So while I can't really guarantee that all these things are true for you, I do hope that if you're ever dealing with writer's block that you'll keep them in mind.