Some Words on Writer’s Block
Writer’s block . . . what is it? Basically it is when we can’t find words to get out onto the paper.
Guess what? It’s unacceptable. Can’t happen. Period. End of story.
In this business, we can’t afford writer’s block.
Now I know that everyone has sticky moments. There will be times that you have a hard time finding something to put down on the page, but find something you will, because find something you must. Writer’s block is progressive in a way. If you allow it to get you one day, to where you throw your hands up in defeat and walk away from your writing, it will have an even easier time getting you the next time. And the next time. And the next. Trust me, there will be lots of next times. Every time it beats you, it gets stronger. Some people lose the muse forever because of writer’s block.
For many people, writer’s block is just a form of procrastination. Maybe they don’t want to work on that particular project. Maybe they’re afraid of failure, or success. So their mind manufactures a roadblock. These roadblocks are horrible because even though there are holes in them, and ways around them, they seem to hold their victims fixated. Some people never get past it. They turn around and walk away, giving up their dream of being a writer. For what?
So what do you do?
The best way to beat writer’s block is to not get it in the first place.
Some of you are sitting there right now, saying, “Yeah, whatever. That’s impossible.” Uh huh. Yeah. I wish you luck on your writing career. You will need it.
For those of you who accept that writer’s block is a horrible cancerous thing that cannot be allowed to get its foot in the door, here is some advice:
First, write every single day. I’m not saying you have to WORK every day. I don’t! But you need to write something each day. I work during the week and throw some other little writing things in here and there. On the weekends, I write fiction, or work on poetry for greeting cards if I’m in the mood. Most of all, I journal. Journaling is very therapeutic, and I don’t have the average (Date, Dear Diary, Blahblahblah . . .) type of journal. My journal is actually a blank spiral bound book. It has a fuzzy, tiger striped cover, no lines, and a sturdy spine. In it I write entries, doodle pictures, and make random notes. Dates? Sometimes. It doesn’t matter what goes into it, as long as it is making you think, and WRITE! This journal goes everywhere with me. I carry a bookbag instead of a purse so I can carry it (and usually a book to read), and when I’m on my Harley, the journal rides in the saddlebag. You never know when you’re going to see or hear something that inspires you, and you always want something to write it down in.
Another trick I use are those little word magnets that you can buy and stick all over your fridge. If I’m having a sticky moment, I go play with those for a few minutes. Sometimes moving those around while I’m drinking my morning coffee or tea gets the wheels rolling. Let other people mess around with them too. I get some of my funniest ideas when my husband moves the magnets around. Writing your take on what someone else thinks up can be very interesting stuff.
If you want something you can refer back to on a regular basis, I would suggest getting “Page After Page” by Heather Sellers. I’ve been reading through this book lately, and it has some wonderful insights. It just reinforces many things I’ve already been doing, but it has also taught me some new things and tricks for writing. It has made me understand a little better why I think the way I do. I would definitely recommend reading it. The journal I was talking about was actually inspired by this book. I’ve always had a journal, but not one that was attached to me at the hip!
There are many ways to get past the sticky spots. Sometimes a cup of tea, a hot bath, or an hour reading a book will get your wheels turning. The ways of beating the sticky spots are as varied as the people who get them. Only you can find your way, but you have to find it. We cannot afford to let writer’s block in.
I hope some of this was helpful. I would love to hear your take on this, and what your methods are for getting out of the sticky spots. : )
–Lindsey Rainwater
