Writer's block...or is it?

[DWSTXS]

Some with whom I recently confided in that I'm working on a novel, asked me how often I get 'writer's block.'

My answer was that I never get writer's block. After thinking about that for a while, I realized that some of us may have differing opnions about what 'writer's block' actually is.


In MY humble opinion, writer's block is when one sits down to write, but is unable to, because the words, thoughts, ideas will not flow.

That never happens to me. Never. I have, in my head, exactly all of the plot, words, dialogue etc etc...that I want and need for my WIP. When I decide to sit down and write, it always flows. Always. That's because my writing is far, far behind all the mental planning that I have for this (and several other) WIP.

However, this weekend, I sat, for most all of Friday evening, and all of Saturday and Sunday, prepared to write, but I didn't. I didn't write because I was here on AW, or surfing the net doing research, or watching a DVD of The X-Files, and basically just playing instead of working.

Some of us may be calling this procrastination but I don't, because, when procrastinating, I am NOT blocked.
Therefore, I call this writer's fatigue.

In other words, we sometimes need to step back and take a break like I did all weekend.


So, do YOU call this writer's block?

Or, like myself, do you call it time off, or writer's fatigue, or something else?

[Cranky]

I think fatigue is an excellent way to describe what you're talking about, actually. Never thought of it that way, but it does fit.

I went through a dry spell last week where I didn't write a word on the WIP. But I was continually thinking and plotting in my mind during that time, so calling it a "block" really isn't appropriate.

Interesting post!

[Elodie-Caroline]

I just call it, 'I can't be bothered.'

I am never without new thoughts, plots, scenes and strings of dialogue; I just have times where I can't be bothered to write them down.
I have been working my @ss off over the last 8/9 weeks on my newest novel, it's practically finished and just needs fine editing. But I took a few days off my writing and spent on the internet and building myself a writers website instead.


Elodie

[DWSTXS]

Well, the reason I brought it up, is that 'Writer's Block' sounds as if you have some sort of impediment in your thinking. It sounds as if you WANT to write, but are weak and unable to execute, or that you have run out of, or can't come up with ideas.

Properly identifying it as 'writer's fatigue' lets you, and others, know that you have the intellect, the drive, and the creative ability to write, but you are just overworked.

In a business where we are dealing with creativity, output, results, success and being recognized for our accomplishments, I just wanted to know that there is a distinction between what a LOT of us go through on a daily, weekly, monthly basis, in our writing lives, and that sometimes we aren't bereft of ideas, sometimes we are just run ragged by them.

[Shweta]

I'd say there are at least three things that are often called writer's block, and this is one of them. I like the term fatigue for this one. I think it's fairly accurate.

The other two, as I see them, are:
1) "Busy... please hold..." This is when our brains are working hard, either coming up with some wonderful bit, or figuring out where we made a wrong turn that bogs everything down now, but we aren't really consciously aware of it yet. Can be frustrating but is actually productive.

2) Real writer's block. This seems to be something like when words are on the tip of your tongue and won't come out. The story's there and you can not get it out no matter what you do. Sometimes it just means you're tired but it can also be paralyzing fear or ... I dunno, probably a range of things. This is the one that's terrifying when it happens,. It's like your brain shuts off. That's why people who suffer from it get pretty mad when other, luckier people claim it doesn't exist.

[DWSTXS]

I guess I may be 'luckier' in that I have never had the brain 'shut off'. I do get fatigued though when I have so many ideas, and am able to only write and one speed.

[Staroffurby]

I have my own version of "Writers Block" and it will attack sometimes in mid sentence. My version is when my mind becomes flooded with ideas, plot, outlines, character images, sounds, smells, sub plots. the next line, spelling, grammar, oh the list is endless so i will shut up. Sometimes my mind is flooded with so much of this i can't see or hear what i want to pick out and use, it just becomes a mess in there a sort of mental traffic jam. All i can do is walk away and come back later, maybe the next day.

I am fully aware i may be the only one that has this. I am also aware that it maybe down to suffering from bipolar disorder. The stereotypical writers block i have never suffered from and hope i never do.

[Jersey Chick]

For me, it's as Schweta described - I have a story - I have the characters and the basic plot. I've even got a conflict (I once wrote an entire ms that had almost no plot and absolutely no conflict - just a 400 page string of events... grrrr....) and I get about the first four chapters done and --

BAM!

Nothing else works. The story sputters and stalls and sits in my computer forever. I've been wrestling with this stupid WIP for a few weeks now and still getting nowhere.

It's driving me crazy because it's never happened before. Ever.

[Triomferus]

If anything, I suffer from over-analyzing my own work as I'm writing it, which can slow down its progress, but results in fairly clean first-draft work. I definitely have this "writer's fatigue" myself, but it never lasts much more than a couple of hours. I've never, ever had a true "writer's block" where I just can't continue, though, if I want to. The thought of that is actually kind of scary in a way.

[vrabinec]

Nah, that's not writer's block. There's too much fun to be had in this life to sit and do nothing else but write. You just took a break. One weekend is mild. I'm more of a streak hitter. When I take a break, it's for a couple months, then the flame ignites again and I'm obsessive. I consider a block to be a point in the story that has no appealing options. Nothing sounds good. Words are muffled under blank stares.

[slcboston]

I get "writer's Legos (tm)" every now and again... Does that count?

[DWSTXS]

well, I am in the process of re-writing and editing. It is like slogging though a field of knee high mud, unable to walk fast, unable to see where dry land starts, and it is boring as hell.

maybe that's what made me want to take a weekend off!

[cdoctor13]

well, I am in the process of re-writing and editing. It is like slogging though a field of knee high mud, unable to walk fast, unable to see where dry land starts, and it is boring as hell.

maybe that's what made me want to take a weekend off!

Yes.

[Use Her Name]

I think of writer's block as not being able to tackle the work, usually in the form of finding a reasonable or usable idea. I personally stopped having it when I decided that nearly everything I read already was not based on such a "novel" concept that it was not within the realm of real events, issues or so on. Now, instead of trying to create a scenario, I study my characters in the same way that scientists study their characters, I compare them to other people in their business/ industry/ milieu, and/ or real human beings going through similar events. For instance, if a woman looses a child in my book, I go and get my hands on all the literature I can about women losing their children. I then ask, "how is my character similar? How is she different," and I address that. The fact is that I base my characters on generalized "real People," some whom I've known or met, others that I have only read about. The same things happen when I write about events. If I want to write about a bank robbery, I study bank robberies. Once I know the facts of the people, event, story, there is no way to have writer's block. I make lists of the things that "must " happen for each event to take place." The outcome is created by the flaws/wishes of the characters, and I incorporate a healthy dose of obstacles, but only obstacles that can actually happen. -- you could also say I act as though the events have already happened and that I am a biographer--

"I know my song well before I sing it" --Bob Dylan

[tjwriter]

I've been going through this for a few months now. The only way I can describe it is that the flame that was my creativity has been snuffed out from life's stresses. I could write, but it would be a very flat, boring story because I just can't feel it right now.

Spare time is nonexistent. Work is less than pleasant right now. My toddler keeps cracking eggs on the floor. I'm pregnant. There isn't enough time in the evening to accomplish the basics and weekends are spent running or trying to make our house look like less of a pig sty.

When it's all said and done, I'm too tired physically and emotionally to have much left. It's depressing and sad.

That's been my block or fatigue for the last few months. There's a story in my head, but the stress and exhaustion have locked it away from me.

[tehuti88]

I personally don't believe in writer's block, at least for myself. Sure, there are times when I sit and the words won't come, but I don't view it as a block. I just view it as the words not coming. It happens. And usually if I kick myself hard enough I can get SOMETHING coming. It's usually not very good or inspired, but it's something.

I think far too often people use the term "writer's block" as an excuse to procrastinate and just not write, simply because it sounds cool to have "writer's block." It's so exclusive to real writers, and everything. /sarcasm

That is just my opinion and of course some will disagree. :)

[JoNightshade]

I wouldn't really call what I get "Writer's Block." Every once in a while, in the course of my novel, I run into a sort of brick wall. Characters stare at me with accusatory eyes. They don't do anything. I realize I have a problem. Something's wrong. My plot isn't unfolding as it should. A character is not behaving as he actually would. So then I may spend a day or a week trying to figure out what's wrong. I don't let myself just "plow" through it because I don't want to get another 50 pages down the line and realize what I did - then have to rewrite the whole thing. Instead I stop, I do other stuff (clean the house), I put plot points on 3x5 cards and rearrange them... until the answer comes. And then I keep going.

So I would compare it to taking a wrong turn. Rather than continuing to drive and hope I eventually circle back, I stop, backtrack, and study the map until I figure out my way.

Other times I may just be hunting for ideas. Physical labor is really great for inspiration. But I don't freak if I don't know where to go, I just wait. It will come.

[DWSTXS]

I wouldn't really call what I get "Writer's Block." Every once in a while, in the course of my novel, I run into a sort of brick wall. Characters stare at me with accusatory eyes. They don't do anything. I realize I have a problem. Something's wrong. My plot isn't unfolding as it should. A character is not behaving as he actually would. So then I may spend a day or a week trying to figure out what's wrong. I don't let myself just "plow" through it because I don't want to get another 50 pages down the line and realize what I did - then have to rewrite the whole thing. Instead I stop, I do other stuff (clean the house), I put plot points on 3x5 cards and rearrange them... until the answer comes. And then I keep going.

So I would compare it to taking a wrong turn. Rather than continuing to drive and hope I eventually circle back, I stop, backtrack, and study the map until I figure out my way.

Other times I may just be hunting for ideas. Physical labor is really great for inspiration. But I don't freak if I don't know where to go, I just wait. I will come.

Taking a wrong turn?

I usually just keep on driving. Eventually I will find the right place. No need to ask directions. really. I got it.

[JoNightshade]

Taking a wrong turn?

I usually just keep on driving. Eventually I will find the right place. No need to ask directions. really. I got it.

SUCH a male/female thing.

[runner4life]

I wouldn't call that writers block. I agree with you that block is more when you're just not planed and are trying to write. I would say that it's more just the lack of motivation.

[DWSTXS]

SUCH a male/female thing.


seriously?

I've never heard that.

Of course, my ex-wife used to accuse me of not listening.

At least, I think that was her saying that.

[Jersey Chick]

I personally don't believe in writer's block, at least for myself. Sure, there are times when I sit and the words won't come, but I don't view it as a block. I just view it as the words not coming. It happens. And usually if I kick myself hard enough I can get SOMETHING coming. It's usually not very good or inspired, but it's something.

I think far too often people use the term "writer's block" as an excuse to procrastinate and just not write, simply because it sounds cool to have "writer's block." It's so exclusive to real writers, and everything. /sarcasm

That is just my opinion and of course some will disagree. :)

I wish it were just that for me - it's aggravating as hell! And it's never happened to me before. Ever.

I've gotten some real good suggestions on getting over it though - so we'll see how it works.

I think, in my case, it's also pressure to produce. It's been a while since I've submitted anything, as I had a nice little cushion there for a bit. But now, I need to get something new out. That certainly isn't helping...