Okay, I’m going to be upfront and honest with you. I’m not a big believer in writers block. That’s not say I don’t think that there are some that may struggle with it. It’s just my idea of writers block is looked at from a different lens. It could be that I have yet to publish with a major publisher or find enormous success. Then again it could be I’m just living behind a curtain of denial. That being said, I think of writers block more along the lines of just being burned out.
There have been days, even weeks, where I simply just can’t seem to put the pen to the page and go. Call it a lack of confidence; call it doubt, a mental breakdown, or even exhaustion. There are just some days where the words don’t want to flow.
I have found most of these incidents occur because of my choice to allow them to occur. So many times I let that demon on my shoulder take over and draw me away from the story. You know the one I’m talking about, it looks just like you. Its face is in a scowl, the talons are dug in deep into the meat and bone on your shoulder. It spits out comments like- “You stink…” Or “You call that writing…?” Many times we shy away from completion because of that voice inside of us.
I know, makes us in the profession sound a little creepy. But hey let’s face it, we are… The point is we have obstacles to overcome with each project in order to even make it to publication. At times this blockage is our worst enemy. So the question is asked- How do we do it…? How do we get around that roadblock and move forward to a place where the river of words freely flows…? I don’t have all the answers but I have come up with five ways that I deal with it… Maybe you got some other suggestions. Be sure to drop me a line and let me know.
1. Stop worrying about Grammar…
This one held me back from completing anything for a long time. I would read what I wrote and was so worried about my bad grammar that I was embarrassed to show it to anyone. Still am. Heck even reading this post I cringe at my use of prepositions and adverbs. The point is we can’t possibly remember all the rules while remembering our story. So here is my suggestion- Just Write… Remember editing and re-writing are a part of the process for a reason. Everything, everything, let me repeat that everything sounds bad in the beginning. Hemmingway re-wrote the ending to “A Farewell to Arms” around 40 times before he was satisfied. So don’t worry about grammar- It will hold you back. Remember, finishing the first draft is the first step towards publication…
2. Write at a different place and time…
John Grisham, Stephen King, and many other successful authors have all preached consistency. And they are right. Finding that place and that time where you will be uninterrupted is the most precious gift for a writer. The problem is this, sometimes when you are stuck you may need to make a change. I have found for me that a change of scenery and maybe even time goes a long ways to get me out of the rut. Try going to a coffee shop, a bookstore, library, or even a park… If you write in the mornings, then try staying up late – Very late and writing at night… If you write late at night try waking up early and hit the keys then… Sometimes that change will give you the ability to break free.
3. Talk to your characters…
I know this sounds kind of strange, but I think at times it actually works. My suggestion, do it with the door closed when no one is around… People tend to look at you as if you’re crazy. But seriously, ask your characters questions. Prepare an interview for them. Get to know them and think of how they would respond to a particular situation. Sometimes the best way to get a character out of a bad spot is to sit and chat with them for a bit…
4. Try a different writing method…
This one could probably go up top with “a different writing place and time” but I think it needs to be separate. Many of us use writing programs. I can’t get into them. Scrivener is an excellent tool and all, but I’m a plain old yellow legal tab and MS Word type of guy. However as I said, sometimes change is good; especially when you can’t get going. If you are obsessed with using Scrivener or a certain writing tool, then switch it up a bit… Try writing long hand for a change. I LOVE writing in long hand. Something about the pen on the paper gets the juices flowing. In fact, most of the short stories I have written were written in long hand. Plus, you can take a notebook anywhere and it never runs out of juice…
5. Sleep, exercise, & nutrition…
My last piece of advice is something we as writers tend to forget from time to time. Sleep, exercise, and a proper diet. My wife gets up at 5:00 AM every morning and heads to the gym. She does Title Boxing… I envy her ability to be so persistent. In fact, her commitment motivated me to get back in shape. This past spring I ordered Shaun T’s Insanity program on-line… I did the entire nine week program. And even though I was about to die after the first week, by week five I felt tons better. I also found I could think more clearly. I was sleeping better, I was eating better, and I cut soda completely out of my diet as well… The result, I had more energy to sit down and write, the creative juices were flowing better, and I was happier and less of a crank. (Makes me think I should start it up again)… We writers tend to drive ourselves off of sitting for long periods fueled by massive amounts of coffee and Red Bull. The truth is, we are probably limiting ourselves more than we know…
Again, take my advice, don’t take it… These are simply things that have helped me out along my writing journey…So Good luck- And happy writing!!!!!
