Let’s talk writer’s block today.
To really break down writer’s block, you’d need a book’s
worth of space – because what we call writer’s block is kinda like Biblical
references to leprosy – it’s a catch-all term for, rather than a skin disease,
the problem of not being able to write effectively.
But the tricky thing is that writer’s block has all kinds of
causes and variations - none of which, I'm sorry to say, involve putting down a book and watching an episode of The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmitt. I've written out the processes that help me to work out problem spots and keep going; they're geared for fiction, and based around an understanding of three act structure, but even if you're writing non-fiction you'll find some crossover. Let's get started!
Step 1 – Admitting it
is the first step
Sometimes when you’re thinking “I’m not feeling the book
today” that’s actually code in your head for “I don’t like it because it’s
hard,” which is also code for “I’m stuck.” You can “not feel it” for days – or
weeks, or months. Once you see it for what it is – block – you can move
forward.
Other times, if you're like me, you can wind up in a panic spiral. What started as "It's a problem" can turn into "I can't figure it out and I'll never have any ideas ever again." Which - no. Look at it this way - a block is your brain's way of telling you that your book is hitting a dead end. It's an alert system. So take a deep breath, trust your brain, and dig in.
