Through my writing journey, I have learned about writer’s block. I have had a few people raising this issue of experiencing writer’s block and looking at ways of sorting it out. Initially, I did not know what it meant but now being in the industry I have a great understanding after undertaking some research.
Writer’s block is a situation which can start from having difficulty in coming up with original ideas and to the extreme being unable to produce any commenced work for years.
Have you ever started a project where ideas were flowing freely then everything changes and you stare at a blank page without thinking of anything tangible to put down on that project? If yes this might be a writer’s block where your brains cannot think at that particular time on what to put down as a writer.
However, this writer’s block is measured by time passing without any productivity of the commenced tasks. Many writers in their writing careers have experienced writer’s block at some point.
There are maybe several causes which might cause writer’s block such as;
- Losing interest in commenced task or project
- Being occupied with other tasks not related to that particular project
- Depression
- Other diseases which can affect people from their activity of daily living
- Family issues such as relationships
- Stress among others
Some other contributing factors might be self-doubt and lack of confidence. The writer underestimates their talent in writing and doubts their worthiness. Despite the writer’s capability to produce a good document self-doubts takes hold of their mind and they might just lose the ideas to continue with a project which initially had a good start.
Rejection and negative criticism could also add to the problem of the writer losing interest since they are scared and afraid of being judged negatively. The fear of being judged negatively could come from customers, publishers, colleagues and friends.
What I have come to realise is that we cannot please everyone and for one reason or another, other people will always criticise other people’s work whether positive or negative. If positive then the morale to continue enjoying writing is appreciated and if the criticism is negative that can impact the writer and drive them to experience writer’s block. It is important to note that there will always be some sort of criticism and we have to accept it.
From my short time being a writer, I decided that if I receive negative feedback I will try and learn from it and turn it into a positive to do a better job next time and to improve in my area of weakness.
Sometimes support from outside might be of great help where the writer just needs someone to talk to and provide reassurance.
There are other measures which can help in dealing with writer’s block and these include:
- If feeling overwhelmed taking a break from the project and do something totally different
- Reach out for support and communicate your problem
- Join groups where discussions are not to judge people but to provide support if needed
- Provide yourself with goals to achieve what is required. This can be done by creating a timeframe and putting down tasks to be undertaken. Once done ticking them off as completed.
- Do not force yourself to write if you have no mood to do it. Postpone to another time.
- Allocate dedicated time for writing.
- Provide yourself with breaks while writing such as tea or lunch
- Pick a phone and call a trusted friend to discuss your issues.
- See a doctor if depression is experienced.
We are all different and different people have different mechanisms in dealing with difficult situations. Whatever works for you is important to take on board. Otherwise do not suffer in silence, there is help out there.
Have you ever experienced writer’s block and how did you tackle it out?
