Is writer's block simply an inability to write?
Then it is important to figure out the reason behind that inability to write.
- Fear?
- Exhaustion?
- Inability to concentrate?
- Lack of self-confidence?
- Stress?
These all require their own solutions. Some may be psychological, some may be medical, some may be situational. Many of these will also be affecting other areas of the writer's life.
Does writer's block mean the words won't come for a particular work?
If it is piece-related -- that is, the writer can work on one piece but not another -- then it is important to analyze the piece.
Many writers will tell you that if you absolutely cannot continue a certain work, it may be that you've gone the wrong way on it. Maybe you've taken a turn that just doesn't work, and your subconscious is telling you this. Maybe the piece is just wrong for you. Maybe it's simply an absence of passion for that particular work.
In any of these cases, the writer must decide if the piece must be completed (is it under deadline? is it something the writer really wants to write?).
If so, the writer can then go back in the piece, figure out what is wrong with it, and bring passion back to the writing.
If not, the writer may prefer to file this piece under 'maybe later' and work on something else.
Does writer's block mean the writer just can't bring themselves to sit down to work?
This may have nothing to do with the writing itself, but the writer's situation.
- Perhaps a change in scenery is required - writing in a park, with a pen and paper, for instance.
- Perhaps the writer has too much nervous energy, in which case a walk or a run before writing may be of use, and may help clear the mind as well.
- Perhaps the writer's method of writing causes pain -- carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, back problems; all these can make the physical act of writing impossible. There are ways around these, though, such as better ergonomic work areas, vocal recording or software, or a different means of writing.
Does writer's block exist?
Of course it does. Is it all in the mind? For the most part, probably. Just because something is 'all in the mind', though, doesn't mean it doesn't exist. But it also doesn't mean there is no cure.
The important thing to do is to figure out what is causing the block. Then the writer can decide how best to overcome it. Unfortunately, this requires either the ability to self-analyze or analytical help from an outside source.
My methods
The best way I've come up with to fight a non-medical writer's block is to write.
If I absolutely cannot put one word after the other for any reason, I write around it. Maybe I'll outline, maybe I'll write character sketches, maybe I'll write a story around the problem.
I've written stories to fill out characters and learn more about them. I've written plot summaries and synopses to figure out a plot point. I've written stories from the past to see how the past will affect the story's present. I've written stories from the future, to see the long-term effects this story will have on the characters.
In non-fiction writing, I will outline, sometimes to the nth degree, until I have a theme or a flow developing and I know where I'm going.
For medical writer's blocks?
See your doctor. These can include physical problems, such as pain when typing/writing/sitting at a desk; or mental problems, such as depression. These things must all be addressed, and you'll feel better for it.
Happy writing, everyone!
