Writer's block

From Gordian Plot

Writer's block is a phenomenon involving temporary loss of ability to begin or continue writing, usually due to lack of inspiration or creativity. Writer's block can also be a hindrance even when the writer feels that they already have a story in mind but can get no further than part of that story.

The two most common forms of Writer's block are caused by either structural problems within the story or emotional problems within the author. Often both come together.

Structural problems within the story can be approached by asking yourself:

1. Has enough research and planning been done?

2. Are the characters and their relationships completely familiar to me?

3. Am I familiar enough with the details of the setting?

Do a thorough analysis of the plot. Is the plot structure sound? If you get stuck in act 2 the problem is most likely in act 1. To successfully trouble-shoot structural problems it is important to have knowledge of the various forms of basic story structure. see story

Emotional writer's block: Writers are often faced with the concern that they will not be able to express themselves well on paper. Many, if not all writers will experience this fear at least once. The good news is most writers have found a way to get over this fear and move on to a point where they are actually able to write. For many, the process of writing can become easier after writing just one or two sentences.

What happens if you're still stuck? Is there ever going to be hope for you? Of course there is!

Many writing instructors believe that students should complete long and intense pre-writing exercises before they will be prepared to write. Students may be asked to complete a questionnaire designed to encourage them to think about their topic. This is called a heuristic exercise. Instructors sometimes assign activities like "brainstorming" or "clustering," in which students are expected to write whatever words pop into their heads as they contemplate a topic. Other instructors advocate for "freewriting," which means to simply start writing and continue writing no matter what -- even if you're forced to write sentences like "I don't know what to write next, I don't know what to write next," and so on. Some students find it helpful to just start writing about anything just to get their "writing juices" flowing, and then make the jump to addressing the assigned work. For other students, all it takes is one sentence to connect to another sentence. Although the introduction to a paper is the most important paragraph when introducing a thesis, skipping past the introductory paragraph and typing other information can often help a student crash through a mental blockade.

Some writers have found it helpful to record themselves. Simply talking about the subject at hand, as if you are informing a friend about what you have discovered through your research can often bring ideas to mind. Others find creating an outline about what they want to share helpful. You could also try the technique of mind-mapping, in which you construct a map of all your ideas and how they relate to each other.

You may be asking yourself, do these activities really help writers get started? Perhaps they offer the same benefit as stretching or warming up before a workout. Exercises like brainstorming and freewriting may help writers ease into the "zone," or the state of intense concentration and focus necessary to write good prose. The best advice anyone can offer is to try these things for yourself to find one that works for you. If none of these specific strategies work, you may want to come up with a strategy of your own. Remember, what works for others to get started on the writing process may not always be what works for you. What matters in the writing process is that you find a method that works.

Writer's block as a chronic problem

There have been cases where writer's block has lasted for years or decades. The most notable example of this in modern literary history was Henry Roth's writer's block which persisted for sixty years and was caused by a combination of depression, political problems, and an unwillingness to confront past problems. This kind of writer's block seems to be quite rare, and most writer's block lasts for shorter periods or simply a particular sitting.

Strategies for overcoming writer's block

Some authorities have recommended the following to those suffering from writer's block:

• Scheduling time to write and work, regardless of the quality of the output.

• Engaging in brief periods of free writing or "mindwriting," in which people impulsively write whatever comes to mind.

• Join a traditional Writing Group or join a free online writing group.

• Using writers' exercises such as "chunking" or focus words. There are many (for example, 1, 2, 3, 4) websites that contain numerous creative writing exercises. Writers read an exercise, and do it.
• Taking a break, meditating, or doing relaxation exercises to relieve any pressure on oneself and on the writing.
• Doing something out of the ordinary. If writer's block comes from a lack of new ideas, attempts to spark creativity by going somewhere new or doing something different can be useful.
• Returning to the writing after a lapse of a day or two.
• Write a basic plot outline of the story if having problems keeping the story on the rails.
• Brainstorming at the beginning of the writing can help the writer by relating every point to another.
• Reading, watching movies or plays, or similar activities that might bring inspiration.
• Going out to get some fresh air.
• Similarly, diet and exercise are linked to optimal performance of mind and body - thus, keeping oneself in good health is important for creative output. Aerobic exercise oxygenates the brain, and walking in particular is a time honored remedy for creative block.
• Set your writing down, go out and do something (something that will keep you busy) and then come back in a few hours with a fresh mind.
• Try asemic writing.
• Review and if necessary reorganize source material or notes.
• Listen to music.
• Draw the story.