Writer's Block = Bigfoot?
Every writer seems to have something to say about writer's block. Generally I see one of two positions -
Option 1. It's a real thing that writers have to deal with.
Option 2. It's a myth, and I refuse to believe it.
I've decided that writer's block must be akin to the elusive Bigfoot. Some swear on their lives that he exists, while others say such a thing is silly.
I am taking the third ground. The third ground, you ask? You either believe something, or you don't. Well...
Some might say that I've never suffered from writer's block, but I don't believe that, I think I suffer from it every day.
Some people truly do have an entire book mapped out step-by-step in their heads (and on paper), but I'm not one of those people. I play with it as it goes, which makes editing a beast, but I like to approach it in the same way I get to know someone, little by little.
I often come upon snags where I don't know what's going to happen next, i.e. Writer's block.
Coming back to my comparison in the hunt for Bigfoot, I can think he's real, but that doesn't mean I am going to let it consume my life.
Option 3 - Believe in it, but don't let it control you.
When it comes to writer's block I look at it like this, if it's going to cross my path, I will do what it takes to come out ahead.
If that means I spend hours writing meaningless dribble until I figure out what I should be writing, then so be it.
If it means I watch any every movie I can get my hands on, then so be it.
If it means I re-read all my favorite novels, then so be it.
Whenever I hit a wall I actively hunt for my inspiration, and usually it comes.
Do you believe in writer's block? How do you conquer your demons?
Option 1. It's a real thing that writers have to deal with.
Option 2. It's a myth, and I refuse to believe it.
I've decided that writer's block must be akin to the elusive Bigfoot. Some swear on their lives that he exists, while others say such a thing is silly.
I am taking the third ground. The third ground, you ask? You either believe something, or you don't. Well...
Some might say that I've never suffered from writer's block, but I don't believe that, I think I suffer from it every day.
Some people truly do have an entire book mapped out step-by-step in their heads (and on paper), but I'm not one of those people. I play with it as it goes, which makes editing a beast, but I like to approach it in the same way I get to know someone, little by little.
I often come upon snags where I don't know what's going to happen next, i.e. Writer's block.
Coming back to my comparison in the hunt for Bigfoot, I can think he's real, but that doesn't mean I am going to let it consume my life.
Option 3 - Believe in it, but don't let it control you.
When it comes to writer's block I look at it like this, if it's going to cross my path, I will do what it takes to come out ahead.
If that means I spend hours writing meaningless dribble until I figure out what I should be writing, then so be it.
If it means I watch any every movie I can get my hands on, then so be it.
If it means I re-read all my favorite novels, then so be it.
Whenever I hit a wall I actively hunt for my inspiration, and usually it comes.
Do you believe in writer's block? How do you conquer your demons?
Comments
I have experianced writers block before. But instead of focusing on ways to conquer it - I seek to avoid it. For me that means taking the time to develop the story and handle the kinks before I write.
So for me, outlining helps prevent writers block.
So, yes, I think it's a very real thing, but I think it's different than simply not knowing what should happen next in your WIP. I think it's more of a psychological thing . . . sort of a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Good post, Jen!
So far anyway.