Awesome music video by Just Jack. I think a lot of us have had this off and on, and there’s an element of shame that comes with it sometimes. I bet it affects all kinds of things creative. Not just writing.
Per Wikipedia 6/30/2011:
Writer’s block is a condition, primarily associated with writing as a profession, in which an author loses the ability to produce new work. The condition varies widely in intensity. It can be trivial, a temporary difficulty in dealing with the task at hand. At the other extreme, some “blocked” writers have been unable to work for years on end, and some have even abandoned their careers.
That just sounds terrible. Especially the last part.
I finally have a manuscript I’m excited about, and I feel like I’m on a roll with my writing schedule. The thing is, writer’s block can be caused by self doubt. The more you worry about it the more likely it is to happen.
There are several tricks to avoid or even get out if it online. Here’s a list of some I’ve found to keep on hand. Just in case.
- From the Purdue online Writing Lab: Symptoms and Cures for Writer’s Block
- A fun one from WEbook: Overcoming Writer’s Block
- Comprehensive article from 43 Folders: Hack your way out of writer’s block
Every time I sit down to write I re-read what I wrote durring the last session. Assuming I like what I’ve written I either make changes or continue the story. That’s more setting the mood for writing I guess. Not really getting over writers block, but I’m going to convince myself that, that’s what I’m doing. I hope none of us ever have to use these tricks.