With the new year, readers have been sharing stories about how they've coped with writer's block -- defeating writer's block is always a popular New Year's resolution among writers, after all. One writer responded to writer's block by forcing herself to write a set number of pages at one sitting and then rewarding herself with a break or a small reward, like fresh flowers. Another writer said, "I go back to The Artist's Way and re-institute my artist dates." Still another said that she will reread works of her own that she feels really confident about. "That reminds me of my writing voice and brings me back into my own flow," she explains.
Fear, anxiety, a life change, the end of a project, the beginning of a project . . . almost anything, it seems, can cause writer's block. And just as there are multiple causes for it, there are myriad solutions. Sometimes its just a matter of trying different things until something works.
For more ideas on how to address writer's block, see how other readers treat writer's block. And if you have your own advice to contribute, please share!
You know you’re blocked when…
The coffee you poured when you sat down to begin the scene has grown fuzzy and is threatening to walk off of your desk.
Facebook becomes the most intriguing website you’ve ever seen.
The wax in your Yankee candle has evaporated (and you lit the candle when you sat down in your chair).
Your dog has given up asking to go out, because it didn’t get a response from you the last six times he asked.
Adjectives suddenly appear everywhere and litter your prose…because frankly, you can’t think of anything else.
Wikipedia becomes alluring.
Your stomach growls and you actually think to yourself, ‘could I write about that?’
You go on about.com and write a response about not being able to write.
This is great–made me laugh out loud. Thanks!
Sure made me feel better about not beieng able to write a single page at the moment. LOL thanks
I would have loved to write about how , how…you know it happens….I begin to write while waiting for inspiration to strike. But , but…then, how ,why…well..not being able to adequately aptly comment on writer’s block is another serious case of writer’s block!
I love your comments ’cause the deadly side of writer’s block is alleviated with humor. Being uptight about it doesn’t help and demands a spot wherewith to bang your forehead. What do you get for all that? Something to think about, the pain.
What I’ve done is try to leave it alone and don’t think about it until I’m ready to face the problem. Is there something you’ve wanting to work on? A short story? An essay? With luck, one thing will lead to another and you will find the elusive answer to the writer’s block.
Good luck, y’all.