For some, writer’s block is an occasional condition and fairly simple to break through. For others, however, it’s a chronic problem requiring stronger measures.
Sometimes writer's block is due simply to a lack of inspiration or creativity. Maybe you’ve been assigned a topic that just doesn’t thrill you, or you’ve chosen to branch out into a genre that doesn’t suit your temperament. In this case, the solution is simply to work on another project, then come back to the troublesome one and see if it’s any easier. Usually, taking difficult projects in small chunks is enough to break a block.
Dealing With Chronic Writer’s Block
Chronic writer's block, on the other hand, may be due to depression or anxiety, causing long-term problems for professional writers. In a few rare cases, writer’s block may last for years or even decades. Perhaps the most severe case in modern literary history was Henry Roth's writer's block, which is reported to have lasted sixty years.
The more likely scenario is writer’s block related to a particular project or to outside influences that affect your ability to write. Two authors offer insight into the writing process, as well as suggestions for working through or around your block.
Natalie Goldberg's Treasured Guides
Two all-time favorite block-breakers are Wild Mind (ISBN: 978-0553347753, Bantam 1990) and Writing Down the Bones (ISBN: 978-1590302613, Shambhala 2005, expanded edition) , both written by Natalie Goldberg. Her philosophy is that daily writing practice is the key to writing well. Writing practice means setting aside the time to write every day, and using techniques such as Freewriting to keep your hand moving even if you have nothing to say. You might set a goal of 20 to 30 minutes a day for writing practice. If you’re stuck for a starting point, Goldberg's short chapters offer plenty of suggestions.
Henriette Anne Klauser’s Whole-Brained Approach
Another classic book for breaking serious writer's block is Writing on Both Sides of the Brain by Henriette Anne Klauser (ISBN: 978-0062544902, HarperOne, 1987). Like Goldberg, Klauser uses a psychological approach to writing, aimed at smashing through barriers in your mind and unlocking the grip of the Critic. Klauser also takes the approach that all of us must write, whether for work or pleasure, so she doesn't assume a natural writing ability.
Her chapter titles say a lot about her approach:
- From Panic to Power: Mastery over the Written Word
- The Hair of the Dog that Bit You (this is similar to Goldberg's Writing Practice)
- Right Brain/ Left Brain: What's It All About?
- Rumination: Daydreaming and Nightdreaming
- Branching: A Whole-Brained Way to Organize Your Material
- Procrastination: Not Just Around but Behind It
The bottom line when it comes to breaking writer's block: Determine the underlying cause of your block, then find a few methods that help you work through or around your block until you're back on track.
Roxianne Moore - I used to think of myself primarily as a writer. Since early childhood, I've written stories and plays. My first poems were published ...
