Let’s Explore Some Ways To Defeat This Literary Scourge.
On occasion, I must admit that I do suffer from writer’s block, but when I do, I finally gain traction, and then it is ‘off to the races’ with my writing.
First, though, we must ask ourselves what causes Writer’s Block.
What causes writers block? According to some research that I have done, Seeking to be perfect in our writing is a HUGE stumbling block. Many times, we put too much stress on ourselves in our efforts to attain perfectionism. First of all, you must realize that perfection is never attainable. Once we come to that realization, then that will remove a huge load off of our minds at the outset.
As I just mentioned, the first thing that we must understand is that being perfect is an unattainable goal. PERIOD! It is simply not going to happen–ever! Now that this stumbling block is out of the way, the best thing that I can tell you when you have that blank page staring at and taunting at you is to simply start writing.
Start writing about anything that comes to your mind.
Perfectionism is one of the causes of writer’s block. The best way to combat perfectionism is to remind yourself that you’re merely working on the first draft. Thinking of your work as a first draft of many future drafts will take the pressure off of you to get it just right.
What Does Writer’s Block Look Like?
That’s an excellent question! Have there been times when you have sat down to write and you have found yourself either staring at a blank page or an empty computer screen, and have suddenly realized with alarm that your mind is suddenly drawing a blank?
Don’t worry! It happens to all of us at one time or another. Writer’s block can affect budding authors and experienced authors equally. It simply happens to everyone who wants to create with words, and there are many reasons–too numerous to mention–why it does.
How Do We Overcome This When It Does Happen?
We just need to realize that we can overcome this. It is truly not the end of the world! When these episodes happen, we must not panic.
This can especially happen to students who have to write research papers, dissertations, and the like. According to some research that I performed, the statistics show that around 24% of students seemed to always have writer’s block and another 70% of students only experienced writer’s block occasionally.
This only goes to show, that, in my opinion, writer’s block can simply be a figment of our imaginations. When you get that blank paper or screen in front of you, just start writing, no matter what gibberish might pour out. What you will find is that you likely will be quite surprised by what you have written.
Then, all you have to do is tweak a few things here and there, and you will have made some excellent progress in your writing. I tend to save all drafts of my writing, because, I never know when I might need them for some other literary project.
Conclusion: Writer’s Block Will be Experienced by All of Us at Some Point
We simply need to choose it as an opportunity as opposed to a stumbling block. It is not the end of our literary world! Keep working daily, even if it is for only five minutes. Doing this exhibits continuity, and it also causes it to turn into a habit. Once the habit of writing daily is firmly entrenched, then there is nothing that can stop us from achieving our writing goals. It truly is that simple, when you really think about it!
Until next time, KEEP WRITING!
