One of the greatest struggles for writers and artists is writer’s block. This is when you suddenly find yourself incapable of producing any new work. You may be trying to complete a novel, busy working on your next screenplay, or maybe you’re just feeling the urge to write. Why? Well, it’s hard to say, but most likely, there are a number of factors contributing to your inability to do what you do best. Why can’t you write? What can you do to overcome this obstacle?
It seems there is a stigma attached to writers who can’t finish their work: people find it hard to believe that writers haven’t finished their work! There are many reasons why writers get stuck, but one of the most common is that they’ve lost the drive to create.
What is writer’s block?
It’s not so much a “block” as it is a “Pause.” A writer’s pause is a brief interruption in the creative process when the mind is unable to produce a fresh idea. It may happen for a variety of reasons, from writer’s block to writer’s fatigue, but whatever the cause, it’s not a good sign. We all experience that dreaded Writers Block, where words just seem to become a blur in front of you, and no matter how hard you try, you can’t seem to string together a sentence or a paragraph. It can be frustrating, as we’re all supposed to be able to write and create, right?
A writer’s block, or blockage, is a temporary inability to write anything for a period of time. I’ve had a couple of them, but I think I have learned from each experience to cope with them better. My first major writing blocks involved studies. I had my first (and only) university essay assignment due, and I couldn’t get my head around the process of how to write a research paper. I spent all night trying to write, and then I spent all morning trying to figure out what I had written. I woke up the next day and still couldn’t write, so I went to the library and got a book on writing essays. It helped.
How to overcome writer’s block?
- Schedule a time
So, you’ve been feeling a bit lost lately. Your writing is not coming as easily to you as it did in the past. You’ve been staring at your word count for a while now and have been trying to come up with some great ideas to help inspire your efforts, but nothing is working. You can’t stop thinking about the words you need to put to paper but aren’t quite there yet. Not everyone is a writer, and even the ones who are can sometimes get bogged down by writer’s block. The thing is, writer’s block is an emotional obstacle that can be overcome. It’s often a matter of showing up, putting the time in, and committing to the process. That’s what a writer is after, after all.
- Make a prompt
As the weather begins to warm up, we are all tempted out of our homes to spend time outside. Unfortunately, we are also prone to getting cabin fever. This cabin fever can be traced back to an underlying feeling of boredom. A writer’s block is the result of a writer losing the spark to write new content. A writer’s block can also be caused by another factor, such as an unread manuscript or a deadline. When that happens, you need to find a way to overcome writer’s block.
Writer’s block is a common phenomenon, particularly when you’ve been writing for hours or days and you haven’t had a break. It can be difficult to get going again when you’re stuck on what you should write about, and this can lead to frustration on both sides of the process. A lot of writers will simply give up when this happens, but what if you could just get back to work with a little talking piece?
Writer’s block. It’s a familiar feeling to many writers. Something that can strike out of nowhere and make you feel like you are trapped in a room with no way out. But don’t give up hope; reading through this section will provide the tools for overcoming writer’s block.