If there’s one issue that keeps writers from becoming successful authors, it’s writer’s block. Writer’s block, imposter syndrome, and simply not following through with finishing keeps many writers from achieving their dreams. However, today I’m going to give you four answers you can use to overcome this block once and for all.
In this article I discuss what writer’s block is, if it even exists, different perspectives on the issue, and real solutions you can employ today.
If you struggled with the writer’s block before, you are not alone. Some of the most successful authors struggle with imposter syndrome, or feeling like they will one day be found out for not being the creative writer they are known to be. Struggling with writer’s block is just another facet of the writing journey. With time and effort, it can be overcome.
What Is Writer’s Block?
Writer’s block is simply not knowing how to move forward in your work-in-progress. It is that sinking feeling of staring at the page and seeing the sentences you wrote yesterday but not knowing how to add sentences today.
Writer’s block is sitting in the chair, listening to the clock tick, knowing you need to be writing, and having no idea what to write. It’s as if your fingers are frozen on the keyboard and your brain has no ideas left. Not a good feeling, to put it lightly!
Of course, writers can experience this block in varying degrees. For some writers they may not know how to end their writing day, but are able to get back to it during their next writing session.
For others, this is not the case. They struggle for weeks, months, or perhaps years on end, not knowing how to add to their story. This is a massive problem because by definition, writers must write. But does writer’s block actually exist?
Does It Exist?
The existence of writer’s block depends on who you ask, but I would argue that successful authors do not believe in its existence. My writing mentor used to say that if worker’s block does not exist then how can writer’s block?
He explained that if an employee can’t call into work saying they just don’t feel like working today, then writers should not be able to say they just don’t feel like writing today. While this may seem harsh, it actually brings freedom to many writers.
Perspectives On Writer’s Block
If we decide that writer’s block does not exist, we have a problem. Now we have to move forward as if we are in control of our writing journeys. For some of us, this may feel freeing. For others, this may feel like quite a bit of added pressure. Let’s discuss three different perspectives on this question.
#1 – If It Doesn’t Exist, You Can Finish Your Book
If writer’s block doesn’t exist, the good news is that you have the power to finish writing your manuscript. Whether you dream of publishing your memoir, your autobiography, or fiction work, writers block is no longer an excuse.
Whether you know what to write or not, it’s up to you to get your word count down on paper, edit those words, and repeat the process until you reach the finish line. This is an empowering mindset and in itself, can help you keep going.
#2 – If It Does Exist, You Are At It’s Mercy
A second perspective is that if writer’s block does exist, you are at its mercy. This mindset often sees writers typing out hundreds of words when they feel inspiration strike, then going for days or weeks without writing, simply because they don’t feel that same passion.
One of the main problems with this perspective is that you can never be quite sure if you will meet your writing deadline or not. If you don’t meet your deadline, your marketing will be off, your book release date will have to change, and your book launch will likely not be as successful as it could have been otherwise.
#3 – Will You Choose The Victim or Victor Mentality?
While choosing between these two perspectives may seem subjective, they essentially come down to one option—choosing to lead your dream or follow it. If you want to lead your dreams, you will embrace the perspective that writer’s block does not exist and you can finish your book. Writers are not the victims of writer’s block. There are real ways to take action steps against the feeling of uncertainty and move forward.
Real Writer’s Quotes/Solutions
Ready for some answers? Let’s start with a quote:
#1 – Twyla Tharp
Twyla Tharp says, “Creativity is a habit, and the best creativity is a result of good work habits.”
With this quote in mind, choose to make writing habitual. Write at the same time, in the same place, and for the same duration every writing session. This will help you become accustomed to the discipline.
#2 – Octavia Butler
Likewise, Octavia Butler says it like this: “You don’t start out writing good stuff. You start out writing crap and thinking it’s good stuff, and then gradually you get better at it. That’s why I say one of the most valuable traits is persistence.”
One of the best ways to beat writer’s block is to simply keep writing. One helpful tip I’ve learned over the years is to end my writing day in the middle of a sentence. This ensures that you know exactly where to begin writing the next day. Even if your writing is rough on day one, you can spend day two editing and bringing it up to standard.
#3 – William Faulkner
William Faulkner doesn’t pull any punches: “I only write when I am inspired. Fortunately I am inspired at 9 o’clock every morning.”
No matter what time you decide to begin writing on a given day, make sure you stick to that schedule. The routine will help you succeed and gradually, you will grow accustomed to feeling ready to write at the same time everyday.
Every writer has off days, but it’s the writers who define themselves by their will to write, rather than pure inspiration, who ultimately succeed.
#4 – Charles Bukowski
If you can’t quite embrace the perspective that writer’s block is more of an excuse than anything, consider what Charles Bukowski says: “Writing about writer’s block is better than not writing at all.”
If you don’t know what to write about, simply write about not knowing what to write about. While this may feel counterintuitive, at least you will continue getting words on the page. You will likely delete them later, but you will have proven to yourself that you can in fact continue writing even when you feel a mental block.
Write Like Your Career Depends On It
Especially in the early stages of starting your writing career, it’s important to write like your career depends upon it, because it does.
Many people dream of becoming writers, far less achieve their dreams. Success comes down to having a dream and following through with it. There are many excuses not to write. Take the one excuse to write—because you want to follow your dream.
