Small Skills: Writer's Block

Hey guys. Sorry that this post is one day late this week. I had the choice between writing the post on time or spending time with my family. I chose my family. And it was a great day. And now I’m here with this week’s post, only one day later than usual. This week is a topic that I’ve actually had a couple of people ask me about so I’m glad that I already planned it into this series. So, for those of you who have been asking this week’s topic is….

Small Skills: Writer’s Block

Writer’s block is one of those things that I know a lot of people really struggle with. Many a time I’ve met up with fellow writers only for them to tell me, “I’m having writer’s block.” Which sadly, puts a hold on any writers writing. I’ve been having a case of writers block myself for a couple weeks now. No new ideas, no funny quips, and every time I try to write my story it feels like someone has placed a rock wall between me and my character and placed sound deadening headphones on my ears. But, although this problem is common for many a writer, every writers solution is unique and interesting. Today I was thinking of going through a couple of different techniques to help you avoid writers block or to get out of it if you somehow get stuck.

The first form of writer’s block avoidance comes from one of my aspiring author friends who wishes to remain anonymous. She says that the most common way that she has found to avoid writers block is to do something to ‘climb the wall’ of writer’s block. She says that when she is stuck in her writing she goes on a walk and finds someplace new to sit, somewhere she’s never sat before, and think. She says that sometimes while she is in those places, she will read funny quotes, inspiring quotes, anything that she can think about to get her mind working on fun ideas. She also said that sometimes she just goes people watching. Sometimes, when she sees a funny interaction, she tries to find a way to incorporate it into her book and that’s how she overcomes her writers block to begin writing again. Although, she did say that the downside of this form of ‘climbing the wall’ did cause her to have way too many characters as she tried to make new characters that would fit with each interaction. Ha-ha.

American Novelist Jerry Jenkins says on his blog that there are only 4 things that cause writers block. “Fear… Procrastination… Perfectionism… and Distractions.” Fear that your writing will never be good enough for publication. Procrastinating the inevitable because of boredom. Perfectionism is the worst. Forestalling your writing because you feel the need to go back and edit the last chapter you wrote 10 times before you continue on. And having so many other things that are going on that distract you from doing your writing. Jerry Jenkins said that all writer’s block comes from one of these 4 things. He says, “No other profession accommodates block as an excuse to quit working, so we writers shouldn’t either. If writing is just a hobby to you, a diversion, something you can take or leave, it shouldn’t surprise you that you find ways to avoid it when it’s hard.” He says that every writer needs to write with a goal in mind. With a goal you can overcome all 4 of these walls and climb over them with ease.

I recently sent an email to Jennifer Moore, author of several books including her most popular regency romance series. I asked her what her thoughts on writer’s block was and the best way to avoid it. She said, “For me, I've found there's no such thing as writers' block.” I was amazed by that statement but as I read further, I came to understand what she meant. She goes on to explain how writer’s block is for her. “Sure, there are times when I can't think of what to say, or I just open my computer and stare at the screen and don't know what to do next. But calling it writers' block somehow shifts the blame to this thing that I can't control. And that's just me deceiving myself. When I don't know what comes next, sometimes it means my story is moving in the wrong direction, and I need to review my outline. When I feel like the story is dragging, I might need some more conflict. Maybe I need to get with my critique partners and figure out if something is wrong. Those are legitimate problems, and they can make you feel blocked. But nine times out of ten, writers' block is just an excuse I use to put off work.”

After this she goes on to explain how she deals with it and what she does to not let writer’s block control her writing. “The cure is something Dan Wells calls "BIC HOK." Butt in chair, hands on keyboard. I can complain about writers' block all day, but the only real cure is to sit down and start typing. Even if what I'm typing isn't wonderful. And it's hard. Writing is a lot of work, and Netflix is calling, or a snack sounds nice, or maybe I should just check Twitter really quick, or have I texted my friend today? My advice is, don't let the distractions keep you from doing what you need to. You'll never think, ‘Man, I really am so glad I scrolled through Instagram for an hour looking at memes, famous people's vacations and pictures of cats today.’ But you will absolutely feel that rush that only writers know when you've spent that time chipping away at your story and come up with some hilarious piece of dialog or just the perfect description. Remember that writers' high--that rush that comes from using your creativity--when you get distracted or discouraged or just feel like you're blocked.”

She’s such an amazing author. And I feel that she is right in many ways! Writer’s block, just all writers have said, is all in your head! You are the master of your fictional world. You control it, it doesn’t control you. Yes, it is hard. Yes, writing is sometimes scary. Yes, sometimes you feel like you aren’t good enough. Yes, sometimes you want to quit. But set those goals, remember what happens at the end of the road, and reach.

For me, whenever I have writer’s block, instead of telling myself what I should do to get rid of writers block I tell myself the do nots. DO NOT wait around for my own mind to get inspired. DO NOT go and read a book and call it research. DO NOT wallow in self-pity and tell myself that my writing isn’t good enough. DO NOT wait for someone else’s help. Write something. Write anything. Write something else. If the story you are writing is not working out, write something else. Many a short story has been written while I was in mental ‘writer’s block’. Some of those short stories have gone one to be developed into something much larger. And the longer I write the more often it happens an the easier it becomes for me to step around the wall of writer’s block because it’s all in my mind anyway.

And if you are suffering from writer’s block, it’s okay. You’re not alone. It happens to everyone. Just remember that you can get out of it. Everyone does. Try something new. Try a new genre. Try a new writing style. One time, when I was stuck, I decided to write one of my books out of order. Now I can’t write a book straight through from chapter one. My writer’s block helped me find a way that was more effective for me to write! So, one last reminder about writer’s block…

"BIC HOK!!"

I hope that post was helpful and that you all are able to use the things that I tried to get across int his post. Sorry if it’s a little all over the place. I tried to give a couple different perspectives. I did some research and got in contact with a couple people and finally came back with what you just read. I’d really like to thank Jennifer Moore for helping me out with this post and for her beautiful thoughts on writer’s block. I really like her books too! You should all read them. So, as usual I will be back next week with another post and we will finally move on from the pre-writing posts in the small skills series and move onto the writing skills. Please remember to like and subscribe at the bottom of the page or even create a member profile and log in so you can get special notification and discussions from me. I hope you all enjoy and remember,

Get Up, Get Writing, and Get Published. See you next week!