Help For Writer’s Block
Lipitor Online Buy Lipitor Erythromycin Online Buy Coumadin Penisole Online Buy Phentrimine Zelnorm Online Buy Elavil Flomax Online Buy AldactoneAs a professional writer, I have struggled with and been paralyzed by writer’s block more times than I can count — until I discovered the four solutions I’ll tell you about in a second.
Why four solutions? Because writer’s block doesn’t have just one cause; otherwise there would be a one-size-fits-all cure. It’s a complex problem involving many factors.
It’s also a lonely sort of problem because others just don’t understand. You see people who are less motivated and less capable than you who have no trouble at all with it. On the other hand, you see people at your level or higher – scholars, etc. — who also have no problem with it!
So writer’s block is confusing because it’s hard to not think you’re just weird (and even a bad writer) when you sit there staring at a blank page doing nothing. Maybe you should give up?
No! The good news is that, according to studies I’ve read, the better a writer you are, the more likely you are to get writer’s block. The more you know about your subject, the tougher the time you’ll have on average.
Think about it… because you’re a good writer, you have high standards for your work. It takes an astonishing level of quality until you’re satisfied with your work. Not only that, but there’s also a ton of external pressure to produce high quality. If you’re writing a dissertation for a PhD, your graduate committee will constantly make complex demands that cause you to second-guess yourself. If you’re an author, you’re under massive pressure to produce perfection. And so on.
What I’m getting at is that writer’s block is caused by being focused on the outcome while you’re writing.
Think about when you’re talking to somebody. While you’re talking to them, is it good to over-analyze and think about what it will be like to look back on the conversation? Of course not. Instead it’s best to just allow the conversation to flow.
It should be the same thing with your writing, since writing is just one-on-one communication in print.
With that in mind, hang onto your seat because here is the cure for writer’s block:
1. Stop Fooling Yourself Into Thinking You’re Writing When You’re Really Not.
Most people think about writing as an entire process, where you take a walk and think, you drink a cup of coffee, you read a book to prepare for the writing, etc.
However, in reality you’re not writing when you do those other things. Taking a walk to think and clear your mind is not writing; you’re only writing when your fingers are tapping the keyboard or moving the pen.
You’re not writing when you’re doing research; you’re only writing when you’re actually in the act of producing words and sentences.
2. Figure Out What Your Interruptors Are and Quarantine Them.
Answer this question:
When I stopped writing, what activity did I then do?
Maybe you stopped writing to check email, telephone a friend, or to do yet more research. That is your Writing Interruptor, and you should quarantine it for later. Prevent yourself from checking email (or whatever) until you’re finished.
Try it and see how it works. Because let’s face it: your current system of stopping writing in order to do something else is not working.
By the way, it doesn’t matter how much research you do or how many breaks you take to refresh. Nothing will get your writing project done except putting words on paper.
But, you’re probably thinking, doesn’t doing a ton of research make the writing go easily?
The answer is no… in fact it is the opposite. The more research you do, the higher the standard you set for yourself, making it harder to actually write.
I’ve seen a lot of extremely bright graduate students fall into this trap, making projects like dissertations take literally years longer than they should have, simply because they over-prepared and learned too much before writing.
Never confuse preparation for writing with the writing itself, because the more you prepare to write, the tougher the writing becomes.
3. Stop Calling It “Writer’s Block”
Ever noticed how saying “I feel sad” makes you feel depressed? Or (in the case of this site) “I feel lazy” makes you feel lethargic? It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Plus the label “writer’s block” makes the challenge sound impossible to overcome. After all, how can you do something if you’re blocked by some mysterious outside force?
So, rather than saying “I have writer’s block,” be more accurate and say, “I’m currently being too lazy to put words on paper.” That way it becomes a problem you can get past rather than an external obstacle.
4. Use A Model.
Pablo Picasso is famous for saying, “Bad artists copy. Good artists steal.” What he meant by that is you don’t need to invent the wheel. Instead you should model your work after something that’s already been done well.
So if you’re writing an article on on organic gardening tips, find similar articles and use them as a model. If you’re writing a dissertation, find other successful dissertations to use as ideal examples for you to follow. And so on.
Finally, was this post helpful to you? Please post a comment to let me know.
-John
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Posted on November 1, 2006 at 5:04 am
Comment by Mark Moloney
Yes, this is helpful (not least of all at the start of November and NaNoWriMo: the ultimate test of writer output–or is it throughput?). Thank you! Lots to think about… but, I should do that later!
Posted on November 1, 2006 at 6:03 am
Comment by Brian Westover
I’m sure your traffic will momentarily explode, since you’ve been put on LifeHacker. Given how good these tips are, I couldn’t think of anything better! Thank’s for the quality advice, it’s not always easy to come by the truly helpful stuff.
Posted on November 1, 2006 at 9:39 am
Comment by Maik Schmidt
I’ve started to think about writing a comment, but then I’ve followed you’re advice and stopped thinking about it and actually wrote it
Nice article. Thank you!
Posted on November 1, 2006 at 10:31 am
Comment by Nathan Briggs
Great article John. You tip on using self-talk and calling it “laziness” not giving a special and difficult to overcome label is a very good one, and resonated with me. It fits very well with one of Brian Tracy’s tips I use often, saying “back to work, back to work” over and over when I notice I’m distracted.
I’ll be incorporating the laziness cue into my daily routine, and getting over this falsehood we call Writer’s Block.
Thanks!
Posted on November 1, 2006 at 6:28 pm
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[…] Enki Design, already boasting some good reads, shares a few nifty tips: Write: Help For Writer’s Block Read: How to Have Better Conversations Career: Give your résumé a face lift & Avoid These 10 Interview Bloopers Explore posts in the same categories: Uncategorized […]
Posted on November 3, 2006 at 5:53 am
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Posted on November 12, 2006 at 8:54 pm
Comment by Dullard
There are lots of good thoughts here–thanks for typing this up and sharing.
Posted on December 8, 2006 at 12:34 am
Comment by Jean
You have some very good points that you make. Its all about perception a slight adjustment in perception can change your disciplines and values.
Posted on February 21, 2007 at 2:06 pm
Pingback by BlogTank.net » Help For Writer’s Block » Overcoming Laziness
[…] Overcoming Laziness » Help For Writer’s Block: As a professional writer, I have struggled with and been paralyzed by writer’s block more times than I can count — until I discovered the four solutions I’ll tell you about in a second. […]
Posted on May 3, 2007 at 10:34 am
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Posted on June 5, 2007 at 4:56 am
Comment by Consolamentum
Many thanks for an excellent set of advice. I’m a PhD student and I’m constantly struggling with deadlines, so I’ll certainly take them to heart!
Posted on June 19, 2007 at 10:11 am
Comment by Rebekah W
I will never again say ‘Writers Block’, however I shall forever qoute your words;
“I’m currently being too lazy to put words on paper.”
Thanks for posting what you did!
Posted on June 25, 2007 at 10:13 pm
Comment by Ciaee
Thank you for all the great advice you have up on this site. They’ve been helpful and inspiring!
Posted on July 15, 2007 at 6:13 am
Comment by babyfuzz
Thank you! Need I say more?…
Posted on August 8, 2007 at 2:26 am
Comment by tehconi
thanks, the post contains good tips. it’s about mental discipline too - to resist sliding down the path of least resistance rather than engage in the actual act of writing.
Posted on September 13, 2007 at 12:00 am
Comment by Niki
Great tips! It’s good to know others are serious about getting rid of laziness amongst the world.
Posted on November 12, 2007 at 10:08 pm
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Posted on December 20, 2007 at 9:42 am
Comment by jess
very helpful. thanks!
Posted on January 12, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Comment by Chell
wonderful article!
I’m truly motivated by the words “the better a writer you are, the more likely you are to get writer’s block” especially when I sometimes think I simply don’t have it.
Thanks!
Posted on January 29, 2008 at 3:10 am
Comment by Lisa Van Velsor
I am not a writer, I am in outside sales. I fall into slumps or ‘become to lazy at the time to solicit new buisiness’
I simply applied your philosophy to my job and it is based on the exact same principles!
Thank you!
Lisa Van Velsor
Heartland Payments Consultant
Here I sit doing research about my job rather than DOING my job
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Posted on March 13, 2008 at 7:22 am
Comment by Bob Loblaw
“the better a writer you are, the more likely you are to get writer’s block.”
Or perhaps, in light of your later admonition,
“the better a writer you are, the more likely you are to be too lazy to put pen to paper.”
Of course, it does not then follow that if you are too lazy to put pen to paper, that you must therefore be a good writer.
Posted on March 15, 2008 at 10:17 am
Comment by Cara
Wow, nice article! It has really helped me 2 get over a lot of stress. I always start writing and then somewhere after a few pages I get another idea for a different story. It gets extremely difficult. Thanks again for the help!
-Cara-
Posted on March 19, 2008 at 5:48 pm
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Posted on June 15, 2008 at 10:06 pm
Comment by Perry J Gibson Sr
John,
I thought about dear John… but I won’t say that. By the way my eldest brother… now deceased was named john. I think about him almost daily. He was always challenging me about my being lazy.
Before I get carried a bit too far away, yes your article helpe me considerably. I am not a professional writer. However I consider myself a thinker. I sometimes have thoughts that I believe are worthy of consideration. Because of some tendency in me toward not doing (laziness), I usually don’t write my thoughts. I can’t call it writer’s block or maybe it is writer’s block, because it is preventing me becoming a writer. I am printing a copy of your writing to put in my personal file on laziness.
Posted on June 18, 2008 at 7:04 am
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Posted on June 27, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Comment by Kay
That was just what I needed! I’ve been feeling flat, blocked and plagued by lack of confidence. And my response has been to check email, make more coffee, pace the room and play ‘word’ games on the computer (justifying such games with ‘at least I’m playing with words’)… online scrabble and wordlink will not put words on paper! Nor will taking an artistic walk in the sunshine. I am simply being lazy. This has put a big smile on my face and given me a kick up the butt. Now I’m going to stop procrastinating and doing online searches for writer’s block and start WRITING instead.
Posted on July 1, 2008 at 1:54 am
Comment by Liz R
These are GREAT articles.
But why no posts lately? Can you write/post more material?
Posted on July 10, 2008 at 11:20 am
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Comment by Sharon
Thanks! I needed that so much.
Posted on July 25, 2008 at 9:18 am
Comment by ifonly89
i’m a college student fighting depression and writer’s block…i liked your advices but it’s sooooo hard sometimes to actually apply them in real life…
Posted on August 1, 2008 at 5:25 pm
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Comment by Angelus M Lane
This made me smile, and it worked. Talk about a miricle.
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Comment by Hijau
How true is your article John! That’s exactly what I’m facing and why it happen to me… I aim for perfection when I’m actually are far from being perfect..
Posted on November 3, 2008 at 9:26 pm