Writer’s block is one of the hardest things to get over. It’s a blight on the mind making it impossible to get anything done.
For me, as of writing this it is currently 11:40 p.m., and for the past three hours I have been thinking of something to write about for this column. But then it hit me: Why not write about writer’s block?
Writer’s block is not something to be afraid of, it’s a sign you care about your writing and it’s a normal part of the writing process.
Writer’s block can be defined as “the inability to begin or continue writing for reasons other than a lack of basic skill or commitment,” according to the University of Illinois Springfield. A cause of writer’s block can be the anxiety of writing.
For me that anxiety stems from the fear that my writing won’t be up to par or will sound uninspired. But if there was something that I learned in life that stuck with me, it’s that feeling anxious or worried about something means you care about the work you are doing, and that you want to do well.
I also learned to put that anxiety into something productive in your writing. For me, I got over writer’s block and started this column just by jotting down how I was feeling on the page. Writing down anything about how you are feeling in the moment or something vaguely relating to the topic you want to write about will get the creative juices flowing.
Another tip I found was to go for a walk and clear your head – a strategy I used to get over writer’s block when writing this column.. Talking to a friend about your ideas and what you want to write about is another thing that helps make the writing process less daunting.
Just remember that what you first write down does not have to be perfect writing. It is a process that has ups and downs and you are not going to figure everything out in an instant.
Whenever you feel writer’s block coming on, don’t worry and remember it will pass. Take a break and go for a walk. Whatever you want to write about will come to you. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself, you’ll find what you want to write about.
