The Real Deal About Writer’s Block
I want to be the writer who eases into this blog post with a fun, gentle tale of what’s going on in my life and all that good stuff.
But sometimes? You just have to get to the point.
Today, I’m coming through your computer screen with a no-nonsense public service announcement.
Writer’s block is a myth.
Yep, you heard me right. A myth.
Contrary to popular belief, writer’s block isn’t some monstrous beast lurking in the shadows of creativity like the elusive Big Foot, zapping your creative juices.
No, this thing all y’all are calling “writer’s block” is something else altogether.
You’re caught in a vicious cycle of writing and editing simultaneously.
While you’re tapping away at your keyboard, the image of your sixth-grade grammar teacher pops into your head and scolds from the sidelines:
Don’t end a sentence with a preposition!
Don’t start a sentence with the words “and” or “but”!
No one-sentence paragraphs!!
Sound familiar? I bet it does.
I shared this advice not long ago in a virtual coworking session with some fellow creatives, and man, oh man, could people relate.
So before we all jumped into our respective creative zones, I offered absolution to everyone with the mantra:
Write like no one is watching.
Give yourself permission to write freely without censoring yourself. Don’t worry about grammar, structure, or perfection. (Yes, I said that: don’t worry about grammar! #isaidwhatisaid)
Let your thoughts run rampant before you try to rein them in. Write on a keyboard. Write by hand. Hell, write with a crayon if you have to because guess what?
No one has to see your initial ramblings.
Here are a few other tips for getting those ideas out of your head:
Set a Timer: Challenge yourself to write for a set amount of time without stopping. The ticking clock can be a great motivator to silence your inner editor.
Change Your Scenery: Sometimes, all you need is a new room with a view. Move to a different spot – a coffee shop, a park bench, or even your backyard hammock. I recently spent an afternoon on my front porch, writing away, which was pure delight.
Listen to some tunes: I am a big fan of classical music, particularly Mozart and Beethoven, but you do you, Boo. If Motley Crue is your jam, then by all means, blast it. Or maybe select a random station on Spotify and see how the background sounds set the creative stage for you.
Go for A Walk, then Write: Kickstart your writing session by going for a stroll (or strut) around the neighborhood, then return to your desk to crank out a few paragraphs.
And if, by chance, your inner Grammar Grinch pops in while you’re writing? Send them to the corner where they belong.
Write on,
Judi
P.S. Maybe you’ve read this whole blog post and thought, “I’ve never once experienced writer’s block, and I have a drawer full of stories to prove it!”
To which I would respond, “Why are they sitting in a drawer?”
Let’s get those stories out in the world where they belong! Consider working with me one-on-one in my Book Idea Incubator writing program, where aspiring writers find the time, space, and inspiration to move their writing forward.
Curious to learn more? Of course you are! So what are you waiting for? That book of yours isn’t going to write itself! Click here to get the conversation started.
P.P.S. Perhaps the idea of a “BOOK” feels like too much for you, and you’re more of a writer who’s looking to explore writing stories on a different scale — an anthology or a magazine, for instance? If you have stories or essays sitting in a drawer and you don’t know what to do next, let’s chat nonetheless and figure out the next best step for you!