Writer’s Block
Posted on 15. Jan, 2010 by MairaS in Being a writer, Writing tacts
Every writer suffers from writer’s block. It is as common as sunburn on a beach. For some, the prospect of putting that first word on a blank page is daunting, and sheer indecision can prevent them from being able to begin. Other writers find that, for them, writer’s block is that moment when you simply cannot think of what ought, logically, to come next. Explaining writer’s block to a writer is simple. Explaining it to non-writers is tough. I would expect the best way to describe it would be as sudden onset vocabulary amnesia. As a writer, married to a non-writer, my husband will testify to the number of times he’s heard me exclaim that my mind has a hole in it and that everything I ever knew about writing fell out of it. He smiles and promptly gives me a different task. Being a wise man, he’s learned the trick that usually fixes the writer’s block is distraction. Step away from the work. Take a walk. Watch a TV show. Or write about something else. Then, when you have gotten past that frustrated state induced by a block, you can try again. Chances are that it won’t be too long before your block dissolves and you are back on track. Writer’s block is a malady peculiar to the craft and its cruelty can only be felt and understood by one who has suffered through it.
Distraction??? I shall try it next time, which is most probably in the late afternoon! I shall let you know if it worked for me!
And what about consulting, or discussing your temporary ‘full stop’ with someone? Wouldn’t it help clear your mind?
But i understand when you specifically mention cruelty! i feel like smashing my keyboard to pieces like super stars smash their guitars in music videos! (Of course I never do so! My keyboard remains a single piece to date!)
But i shall definitely try to distract myself, instead of wanting to take my frustration out on my keyboard!