Bust
Writer’s Block Forever
By Shaunna
Privratsky
“A
professional is someone who can do his best work when he doesn’t feel like
it.”
~ Alistaire Cooke
You
suddenly have an irresistible urge to fold laundry or scrub the grout lines in
the shower. That exercise program you’ve been meaning to start since the early
’80s seems unexpectedly appealing. You decide on the spur of the moment to
reorganize your entire basement.
All
of these outlandish impulses may be a manifestation of procrastination.
Procrastination is another symptom of the writer’s worst disease, writer’s
block. Just typing the words makes me wince. Shortly after 9-11, I suffered a
severe three-month stint. At the time I thought my writing career was over. I
didn’t recognize that I was depressed, so I blamed it on writer’s block. I
kept plugging away until writing got a little easier each day.
Causes
of writer’s block are varied, including stress, distraction, illness or lack
of inspiration. It may seem to strike without warning, yet there is almost
always an underlying catalyst.
Fight
writer’s block and learn to avoid its precursor - procrastination. First,
recognize it when it occurs. If you find yourself doing mundane tasks to put off
the moment you sit down at the computer or in your favorite writing chair, ask
yourself why. Is the story you’re working on stalled on page seventeen? Are
you unable to come up with two more supporting facts for your latest article? Or
are you simply “not in the mood” to write?
Once
you’ve identified what you are trying to avoid, face it directly. Find the
spot where the writing faltered or took off on a tangled tangent. Backtrack or
start over from a different angle. You might feel that you’re defeating the
purpose or that you are wasting time, but you are really saving time by fixing
the impasse and working through the problem.
Procrastination
can be a way to protect yourself. Perhaps the project you’re tackling is too
daunting. You put it off to avoid disappointing yourself or others. Take a
closer look and break the large job into manageable tasks. Setting your goals
too high can set you up for a nasty case of writer’s block.
I
once told a trusted editor and friend that I was terrified that I would run out
of ideas. She just laughed and said that creativity generates its own rhythm.
Keep busy with various projects, so that if one is wavering you have another
that needs your attention.
What
if nothing is stalled in your current project but you can’t seem to get
motivated? Apathy is another insidious form of writer’s block. Ask yourself
when writing stopped being fun. Does the subject no longer interest you? Try to
revive your enthusiasm and move beyond the lethargy.
If
you do feel less than inspired on some days, look for external stimulation. An
excellent way to recharge is doing something creative, apart from writing, like
finger painting with your four-year-old. The tactile sensations and total
freedom of expression would tempt any self-respecting muse.
Sing along with the radio or decorate extravagantly for
the current season or holiday. Do something with your hands. Create a
masterpiece in clay or build a birdhouse with your teenager. Sew a quilt and
proudly display it in your guest room. Spend some time in a crowded mall. Notice
the mother-daughter duo emerging from the pierce-your-ears store. The young girl
is near tears, the elder sprouts a dozen earrings in her ears, two in her
nostrils and one jutting from one scowling eyebrow. Or see the man in frumpy
clothes carrying an armload of bags from an expensive tailoring shop.
Look
for the quirks and different styles that make each of us individuals. Listen to
the myriad snatches of conversation flowing around you and imagine the entire
exchange.
If
you need another source of inspiration, the new book by Jenna Glatzer, editor of
AbsoluteWrite.com, will help. Outwitting Writer’s Block and Other Problems
of the Pen is available at her website, http://www.jennaglatzer.com.
Do
whatever you find joy in doing when you need a break or a nudge. Immunize
yourself against writer’s block by recognizing the first symptoms. Nip
procrastination, apathy or lack of inspiration in the bud and bust writer’s
block forever.
Shaunna Privratsky is a prolific wordsmith
with over 200 published articles. Her new book Pump Up Your Prose is
coming November 15th. Check out her acclaimed writer's e-book series and FREE
newsletter at THE WRITER WITHIN at http://shaunna67.tripod.com.
Learn her money-saving secrets at The Discount Diva while you're visiting.
