Writer's Block is A Lie

I hope when you read the title, it didn't offend you. It is a common thing that happens to all of us. For some, this is what we also call a Creative Block. But don’t you think it’s not always the problem? That perhaps we’re making it an excuse?

By Wikipedia's definition, Writer's block is a condition, primarily associated with writing, in which the author is unable to produce new work or experiences a creative slowdown. This creative stall is not a result of commitment problems or the lack of writing skills.

Before you can smite me and say that I'm wrong, I get it. We get these blocks as creatives. We become stuck in how to move our ideas forward or what to write next. It is true that we can lose inspiration. The reason why I'm saying it is a lie is that when we use it as an excuse, a reason we can't write, that we don't think of getting out of it. It deceives you to stop writing or creating just because you're not inspired or could not getting anything out on paper. It is lying to you that you can't write today, or tomorrow, or the next day.

We didn't even think of trying to find a way around it, to get that inspiration back.

I decided to become a writer since I was in high school, but made no big progress since then. Yes, I've used the Writer's Block card. I've experienced this many times and learned the hard way that Writer's Block is a lie. I think it is the lamest excuse that we give ourselves as writers.

CAUSE & EFFECT

1.     "I'll do it when I feel like it"

Writer's block, when used commonly, is a different way of saying "I just don't feel like writing today". You would rather use that word rather than procrastination, right?

If that's not the case, if you just don't know what to write or create, then start from ground zero. Really ask yourself why you're writing this particular piece in the first place. The biggest and most serious questions you have to ask yourself at this point is: "When will you do it? When are you going to finish it? Like seriously? And is this still worth making?"

Because if not, and writer's block has become a habit, then the next thing you know it's been 3 years and you didn't get anything done. It's to a point where it looks like you're not taking it seriously. Better ask yourself, like your best friend or the person you look up to, to ask you these questions. I did, and it gave me a wake-up call.

I joined a Writer's Room (a writer’s workshop where writers learn more from professional writers and from each other) and at the end of the workshop, I was the only one left who didn't submit the first draft of my script. You can imagine how embarrassing and frustrating it was for me.

I blamed the idea that all writers are different. That's true, but I think I have to accept the fact that I kept on making excuses.

The Outcome

The worse thing that can happen to us is finding out someone else created your idea. Someone made and brought your idea into the world. And it's NOT YOU. Do you feel that? That burn? That's fear and shame alright. I've felt that many times and I've had it. We need to get out of this creative rut, and I could not emphasize it any better than how best-selling author, Elizabeth Gilbert, said it:

"I believe that inspiration will always try its best to work with you — but if you are not ready or available, it may indeed choose to leave you and to search for a different human collaborator.

This happens to people a lot, actually. This is how it comes to pass that one morning you open up the newspaper and discover that somebody else has written your book, or directed your play, or released your record, or produced your movie, or founded your business, or launched your restaurant, or patented your invention — or in any way, whatsoever manifested some spark of inspiration that you'd had years ago, but had never entirely cultivated, or had never gotten around to finishing.

This may vex you, but it really shouldn't, because you didn't deliver! You didn't show up ready enough, or fast enough, or openly enough for the idea to take hold within you and complete itself. Therefore, the idea went hunting for a new partner, and somebody else got to make the thing."

- Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic

Ms. Elizabeth Gilbert would be lying if she didn’t experience this first hand. She told the story in her book, Big Magic, but to make it short, she met this writer who shared an idea she had in her mind, and Elizabeth's jaws dropped. It's the same idea she had and given up years ago, but just a tad different. Elizabeth told the writer and it's like a supernatural experience for both of them. Ms. Gilbert didn't get mad at her by the way, but they both had an enlightening experience and realization.

I hope you do too; that in the sea of a billion people, one can have the same idea as you. The question is, who will bring it out to the world?

2.     The scary blank piece of paper

One of the most common causes of Writer's Block is the scary blank piece of paper or that blinking line on a word document.

The thought that, whatever you're going to write, it has to be perfect. Sometimes you can't help but compare to other writers who you admire. You perhaps want it the same style and tone. You just want it to be perfect just as you write on that blank page.

There's nothing wrong with being a perfectionist. It's just how you let perfectionism control you that's the problem.

The Outcome

Because of the repetitive writing then erasing, writing then erasing, you may give up and think 'perhaps tonight is not the night'

It'll come to a point where you don't write anything at all because you kept on pressing the backspace, erasing the penciled words, or even creating a new document to start over. I've done all of them, and I didn't know any better then.

SOLUTIONS

There's one unified reason why we say or why we think we have writer's block. It is all in our minds. You and your mind made the choice to stick to feeling uninspired, to not write today. We, as writers, are creating an excuse for ourselves not to write. If you truly want to create this damn novel, script, or whatever creation you're creating, then here are two simple solutions that'll help you.

1.     Take a break from your work for a week

During my college years, Juan Ekis, a playwright and mentor, who held a screenplay writing workshop in our university, gave us this term, I think he calls, "emotional distancing" from our work. He instructed that we should do this after we finish our first draft. The purpose is to refresh our minds, so that when we go back to writing again, we are looking at it with a new set of eyes.

I think this also applies when we're so caught up and frustrated with our work that it messes with our creativity.

If you can, take a break. Schedule a week or so of doing or creating something else other than writing that novel or script. Take a vacation. Read a book. Paint. Explore different mediums. Take that drawing course you've been curious about trying. Try something new.

Then when that break is over, you'll feel more refreshed. Your muscles are more relaxed. You are ready to read and write with a new set of eyes, a new perspective.

2.     Just write.

I've been told these two words many times. I've read so much of the idea, but I didn't fully grasp it. My mind kept on making excuses, kept on thinking negatively that I don't feel inspired, that my writing sucks today, etc.

As I was trying to write my super late script for Writers Room, I remembered the advice of many great writers (Neil Gaiman, Stephen King), and finally grasped it. Just freaking write, Megan.

"This is how you do it: you sit down at the keyboard and you put one word after another. It's that easy and that hard" - Neil Gaiman

"I don't believe in writer's block. I try and deal with getting stuck by having more than one thing to work on at a time. And by knowing that even a hundred of bad words that didn't exist before is forward progress" - Neil Gaiman

Neil was and is right. Just write. This literally sets my perfectionism aside, and let my hands just write 'til I feel numb.

Let the story play in your mind and write about it. Don't stop. Let it flow. Don't stop when you create a spelling mistake (unless it's not understandable). Don't stop when you can't come up with a name or a color. Just mark it with an asterisk or something then move on. Just write. Write like you're possessed. And you will be. You'll be skin deep into the story, into the world you created that you don't feel your hands anymore.

That's the beauty of writing that you should experience.

"Write drunk, Edit sober" - Ernest Hemingway

Don't think about how your description sounds right or if the dialogues make sense. You have to remember "That's what editing is for. I'll be thinking about that later"

Don't stop yourself from entering that sublime feeling of being in another world.

"Start writing and the ideas will come. You have to turn the faucet on before the water starts to flow" - Louis L'Amour

This one is taped to my wall. Why? Out of all the quotes, this sums up everything and pushes me to take action.

No matter if you don't feel inspired, just start writing and the ideas and inspiration will come to you. It may take a long time and it may come and go, but eventually, you'll feel the ideas and spark come to you and that'll make writing slightly easier.

What are you waiting for?

I hope this helps in any way. I know how frustrating it is as a writer to look back on the creations that you’ve given up, to look back in the pages you haven’t finished, and feel so disheartened. You begin to question yourself as a writer and to doubt your creative abilities.

We have to struggle with these things to discover how to get out of it. Thanks to other writers who share their wisdom through books, interviews, and many more that we get to be inspired, and find it in ourselves to get out of this so-called “Writer’s Block” and create something.

If there’s one thing you should get out of this article, it’s all up to you. You are making the choices. You choose to let this block dictate you or you choose to find a way to work around it.

You know yourself better, and I hope the best in your creative endeavors.

Share your thoughts, suggestions or ask any questions you may have down below in the comments section. I love to hear from you guys!