What Is Writer’s Block?
Writer’s block is an occurrence that writers experience. Writer’s block is an overwhelming feeling of being stuck in the writing process without the ability to write anything new or move forward. During writer’s block, a person experiences a creative slowdown where they can’t set achievable goals for the entire SEO writing process.
Essentially, it’s an artistic full-stop. When writers witness the inability of an author to compose original or new material, a sense of frustration and inferiority can occur.
When the production of new work begins to hone to a standstill, it’s referred to as creative constipation. When writer’s block appears, fear, anger, dread, and frustration can also occur.
This creative slump can affect writers at various stages in their life. To make matters worse, if it’s left unchecked, it can persist for days, weeks, or even months. It’s important to remember these words by American poet Charles Bukowski, “Writing about writer’s block is better than not writing at all.”
Common Causes of Writer’s Block
Writer’s block is triggered by several components, depending on the individual. Some individuals believe that writer’s block stems from a lack of ideas or even the person’s talent. However, technically, that’s not the case. Here are some common causes:
- Self-doubt: Doubting yourself and a lack of confidence plays a major part in causing someone to have writer’s block. In the 1970s, Yale researchers Michael Barrios and Jerome Singer studied a group of professional “blocked” writers in several disciplines, from screenwriting to poetry. After numerous hours, the researchers discovered that there are four triggers of writer’s block
- Apathy: Generally, writers feel strained by the “rules” of writing and struggle to discover their creative spark.
- Anger: Often, writers can get angry while writing.
- Anxiety: Sometimes, writers become worried that they aren’t good enough.
- Issues With Others: Some writers don’t want their writing to be compared to other writers’ work, resulting in not writing anything.
- Timing: Sometimes, it’s not the best time to write. Your ideas might need more preparation time before writing.
- Fear: Many writers struggle with being scared, putting themselves and ideas out there for others to see and critique. Fear is a reason why writers never become writers.
- Perfectionism: Some writers want everything to be just right before putting it down on paper or even touching a keyboard. You might attempt to get it perfect in your head, and it might not happen. Then you might not begin writing because you want your writing to be clear and concise. Don’t allow fear or perfectionism to stagnate you. Start writing.
Creative Solutions to Combat Writer’s Block
There are a few creative solutions that individuals can utilize as a cure for writer’s block.
- Spend time with someone who makes you feel good
- Do something to get your blood flowing
- Brainstorm ideas in bullet points
- Read some inspirational quotes
- Change your environment
- Eliminate distraction
- Call up an old friend
- Brew some coffee
- Listen to music
- Read a book
- Freewrite
- Play
Ways You Won’t Find a Cure for Writer’s Block
- You won’t overcome writer’s block by refusing to write until you’re inspired.
- A person can’t overcome writer’s block by wallowing in self-pity.
- You won’t overcome writer’s block by making excuses or procrastinating.
- A person can’t overcome writer’s block by watching television.
- You won’t overcome writer’s block by reading articles on the cure for writer’s block.
Our Cure for Writer’s Block In 8 Easy Steps
If you’re looking for a cure for writer’s block, here are our suggestions for things to do to help become re-inspired.
Take a Break
Do something else for some time. If able, return to the writing piece a few days, weeks, or months later to view your work with brand new eyes.
Get Ahead
Sometimes, it’s best to just write the content: an article, story, project, etc, even if you’re unsure where it fits. The most important thing when it comes to writing is to keep going. Simply write, and you can always fix things later.
Act As If You Have Never Read Your Work Before
Start from the beginning and thoroughly read your work, which can assist you in editing, and making it obvious when you’ve gone off track.
Do Something Different
Get away from your desk often. So whether that is doing a chore or a hobby, it’s best to do something else. Real-life observations are vital to keeping your idea box full and can serve as an inspiration for your best form of writing.
Create a Deadline for Yourself
Pressure can create focus and force writers into making decisions that get avoided. Set a deadline for yourself to begin writing, and make sure that your project gets done in a timely manner.
Make the Process More Visual
If you’re unsure how to continue a chapter or section, turn it into diagrams or post-it notes. Sometimes, the best type of writing is simply using a pen and paper. Visualizing the problem can help.
Do Something Thoroughly Tedious
Tedious tasks such as cleaning or showering can leave a person’s brain on autopilot. Once that occurs, the creative side is free to daydream about various things, which includes how to figure out a cure for writer’s block and what’s causing it.
Freewrite
Freewriting is advice for any writer. Write without worrying about grammar, spelling, or sentence structure. Freely write without stressing about second-guessing anything.
TDI’s Fail-Proof Solutions to Overcoming Writer’s Block
The fail-proof solution to overcoming writer’s block is to begin writing. Starting somewhere can make a world of difference. So, if you’re able to say anything, you’d be surprised what the result would be.
Rough drafts don’t always need to be presentable and fluent at first; it just has to be written. When you are writing freely, do it out of pure joy. Rough drafts don’t have to be perfect; they just need to be written.
If you put aside the pressure and perfectionism that can trap writers, you’ll be able to rise above writer’s block. The difference between amateurs and professional writers is this: Both will encounter writer’s block, but one person will push through while the other remains paralyzed. You don’t have to stress. The cure for writer’s block is within your reach!
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