Back when I was in college, I belonged to one of those
professional associations for the video industry. (I was a
student member.) The monthly newsletter had a column called
"Writer's Block." Although called Writer's Block, no one ever
wrote about this mysterious and debilitating condition. So,
finally, one day I decided to tackle the subject.
I don't remember much about the article except it seemed to be
about eating chocolate, taking walks and not doing much writing
(it was supposed to be tongue in cheek). I don't think it turned
out as successful as I had hoped.
Anyway, my point is this -- while I still eat lots of chocolate
and take lots of walks, I've also been forced to wrestle with
that particular nightmare many a time. And in those wrestling
matches, I've learned a few moves that might help you in your
own struggles.
First, I've come to view writer's block as a friend more than an
enemy. Okay, maybe friend is too strong. An ally. (Okay, maybe
he's a really mean ally, but an ally all the same.)
Writer's block isn't about the writing. Writer's block isn't
telling you you can't write or you'll never write again or
you'll never have another idea again. Writer's block is telling
you something else is wrong, and you need to deal with that
something before you can get down to the business of writing.
Now, when I say writer's block, what I'm talking about is the
inability to write. You have no idea where to start, no idea
where the project is going, or maybe you have no ideas at all.
That's true writer's block, not to be confused with writer's
procrastination. Writer's procrastination is when you know what
you want to be writing (or should be writing) yet you've somehow
lost the ability to sit in a chair and type. Oh, but you can
still check e-mail. And surf the Web. And lots of other tasks
that have nothing to do with the writing project you should be
doing. But try and start that project -- you'll just fall right
off that chair.
I've had more than my share of encounters with that particular
fellow as well, and I'm planning to share tips on beating
writer's procrastination in future issues. (Trust me, you
need to beat writer's procrastination. He is the enemy and
he's evil.)
But writer's block is different. Writer's block says there's a
problem. Writer's block says you haven't researched this project
enough or you haven't thought this through enough or you're
missing crucial information. Maybe your approach is all wrong.
Maybe you should be writing a Web site and not a brochure for
your business. Maybe you're trying to force a book-sized idea
into an article-sized container and it just doesn't fit.
If your ideas have suddenly dried up, maybe writer's block is
telling you to take it easy. You've been working too hard -- you
need to take time and recharge your creative batteries. Or maybe
you haven't dealt with some old hurt or anger and you need to
take some time and deal with that block.
Writer's block also might be telling you the project is all
wrong for you. (Although be careful with the last one --
writer's procrastination is a wonderful mimic and he might
be trying to slip something past you.)
When I'm stuck, the first thing I do is get away from the
computer. I take a walk, jump in the shower (I get a lot of
great ideas in the shower) or eat some chocolate. (Some things
never change.) I think about the project. I review my notes. I
analyze what I'm doing. And I ask myself questions. Do I have
all the information I need? Should I do more research? Is my
approach right? Have I thought this project through enough?
Sometimes I can spot the problem in a few minutes. Sometimes
it takes a few days. But always, without fail, I've discovered
writer's block was right. There WAS a serious problem with the
project. A fatal flaw in the foundation -- a weakness in the
structure. Eventually, it would have collapsed.
And by stepping in, your writer's block stopped that from
happening.
Creativity Exercises -- Make friends with writer's block
I realize this might be a scary exercise for some of you,
especially if you're in the throes of writer's block (and I've
been there -- I know how terrifying it is) but that's all the
more reason to do this.
Now, when I say make friends with your writer's block, I'm not
talking about inviting it to move in and existing in a permanent
blocked state. What I'm talking about is a way to put writer's
block in its rightful place -- where it uses its talents to help
and not harm you.
Take a few moments and thank your writer's block. Thank it for
all the times it blocked you. Tell it you know it was trying to
help you and you appreciate it.
Whatever you do, DON’T fear your writer's block. You give it
too much power if you fear it. Power corrupts. You don't want
to corrupt your writer's block, you want it to do its job --
helping you craft the best writing pieces you can.
If you're in the middle of a bad case of writer's block, try
asking your writer's block what the problem is. Why won't it
let you start that project or what happened to your ideas?
Do it as a journaling exercise or a meditation. You may be
amazed at what it tells you.
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