Write with [M]arie [E]vans

What is Writer’s Block?

There is still much debate over whether the phenomenon known as “writer’s block” is fact or fiction (or should I say non-fiction or fiction?). Whether it’s scientifically proven or not, writer’s block is a term used to describe the sensation many writers get of being unable to produce work when they desperately want to for one reason or another. The writer is, in short, unable to write. Many writers have documented feeling this invisible phenomenon, including, most notably, Franz Kafka, who journaled his struggle to write over weeks and months. So, what does writer’s block look or feel like? It’s less of a sensation and more of a psychological or emotional symptom of other things that could be going on in or around you. Stress, anxiety, depression, and lack of inspiration can all lead to writer’s block. However, though writer’s block is a common grievance and can affect anyone, it isn’t known to last forever (just longer than you want it to).

What are the Common Causes of Writer’s Block?

Writer’s block is a phenomenon that many writers struggle to overcome at one point (most likely several points) or another. As mentioned above, writer’s block is typically a symptom of a different problem, not the problem itself. Let’s review a few likely causes before listing out some methods on how to overcome writer’s block.

• Anxiety: writer’s block and anxiety often go hand-in-hand for several reasons, including the stress of starting a project, planning a project, imposter syndrome, and more.
• Depression: just like anxiety, depression is another frequent cause of writer’s block. Writing is work more than anything, and when your body and mind aren’t motivated or inspired to do it, it can be an uphill battle.
• ADHD: writing takes focus and attention for extensive periods of time, and those with ADHD can find it hard to push through distractions to get to the final product, especially during scenes that aren’t immediately fun or interesting to write.
• Unknowing: this is the continuous debate between those who plan and those who improvise. Sometimes, making it up as you go along works because it keeps you, the writer, on the tip of your toes. However, sometimes it can backfire and get you stuck wondering where the heck the story is going next.
• Boredom: world building, exposition, character development, all of these essential story elements can be dull to write at times, even though they’re necessary. Most writer’s block comes from the parts that might take some extra effort.
• Overwhelmed: both life and writing can get overwhelming, and sometimes it’s not conducive to work. Deadlines are approaching. Someone’s in the hospital. Things are happening outside of your control, and you feel you’ve lost control in your writing as well.

How to Overcome Writer’s Block:

Bored? Move Forward.

One of the most common causes of writer’s block is a moment of exposition or world building, a moment that’s more work to write than fun. Sometimes you get stuck on the logistics, research, or the all around not-feeling-it of the moment. Many writer’s I know suggest, as a way of overcoming writer’s block, adding a TBWL (to be written later) and keep moving!

Example: Debbie steps into the submarine (describe submarine here). Scott called to her from down the hall.

Doing this keeps the momentum going by allowing you to go back and add in the missing pieces later, when maybe you’ve done the research or feel more inspired. This is especially relevant to magic systems in Fantasy stories, complicated Science Fiction situations, and non-fiction that you still need to go back and fact check. A great strategy for those who suffer from writer’s block and ADHD!

Write Out of Order.

This method is suggested by many college professors and professional writers. If you’re suffering from writer’s block but want to skip to another scene that seems to be calling you, odds are you should go ahead and skip to it! Progress is progress, whether it happens chronologically or not. If you’re at a point mentioned above where you feel uninterested or unmotivated but really want to write a future scene in the story, go ahead and write it. Whether you use that future moment entirely as is or use it as a rough draft to re-write later into the story doesn’t matter! What matters is that you’re writing your way out of a hole by getting to know your world, characters, and plot better, and may end up more effectively foreshadowing your future events! This is another great method for those suffering from writer’s block and ADHD who feel like they need to focus on other areas of the story for a while.

Don’t Finish the Thought…

The method I’ve found works best for me (and Earnest Hemingway) is leaving off with an unfinished thought. If you suffer from writer’s block and anxiety, leaving a thought unfinished can remove the sense of dread associated with having to connect a new thought to an old thought. Instead, you can sit down and finish a mostly-formed-thought and get your mind right back where you left off.

Example: There was an eerie noise coming from the basement and, as the lights flickered in the stairwell, Debbie

Now, the next time you sit down, you can jump right back into the scene by describing the actions of Debbie takes upon seeing the creepy basement. However, some who suffer from writer’s block and ADHD find this method derails their train of thought rather than inspires it, as they sometimes forget entirely where the thought was headed in the first place. If this is the case, this method may not be the best for you!

Make a Bullet List.

This method is another I find useful, especially immediately after the passing of a high tension plot point. When there’s a moment I’ve been working up to, let’s say a character’s death, once that moment passes, there can be a time of struggle to get to the next point of tension. I’ve been working for months for this one moment, and now it’s passed, and there’s so much space to fill until the next high tension point. This can seem daunting, like starting the novel all over again. In moments of “in-between,” try making a bullet list of plot points.

Example: Things I want to happen after I kill this character and before I introduce the new one:

• Talk to the neighbor next door
• Discover the dead character’s diary hidden under the floor board
• See the same man walking down the street everyday

By creating a bullet list of small plot points between high tension moments, you can build a connect-the-dots map to follow as you write. Not only does this help build a wave of small tensions and keep the stakes high, it allows you to set up for the next high tension moment more effectively. This method is good to try for anyone who might be suffering from writer’s block and depression, writer’s block and anxiety, writer’s block and ADHD, or just good ol’ all-around writer’s block.

Give Yourself a Break. Writing is Hard.

Every writer knows this lament, this prayer and curse. Writing is hard. Many famous authors have faced times where the muse has left them seemingly forever (e.g. Franz Kafka). Sometimes the words just won’t come to you. If that’s the case, take a break. You can take a short break where you complete any task outside of writing.

Examples of a short break include:

• Cleaning
• Cooking
• Exercising
• Working on a hobby
• Getting out of the house
• Hygiene (brushing teeth, taking a shower, etc.)
• Sometimes even getting ready by dressing up, doing your hair, or putting on makeup can help you feel prepared and inspired to write!

During these tasks where your mind is relaxed, inspiration is likely to hit! If you still find yourself miserably unable to write, take a longer break. I find that if I start writing more than I read that my inspiration starts lacking, and my writing feels dry. So, I’ll take a few days off where I will trade my writing time for reading time. Those suffering from writer’s block and depression may find this method effective, especially since half of writing is the work you put in outside of the actual writing process. Reading, researching (Pinterest boards), and connecting with other writers are just as important!

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