| Among writers, there are often arguments about | | | | Write email messages, but let all your other |
| writer's block and whether it even exists. | | | | writing go. |
| However, all writers will experience it at some | | | | Think of your writer's block as a form of writing |
| stage. Here's how to handle it. | | | | flu. You're sick, but you're healing, and you'll feel |
| Writer's block manifests itself on a continuum | | | | better in a week. |
| which ranges from mild resistance to writing at | | | | 2. Go on a Trip, Take Your Pen |
| one end, to the complete inability to even think | | | | The old saying, "a change is as good as a rest" is |
| about writing at the other end. | | | | true. On the weekend, take a trip. It can be a |
| If you're experiencing resistance to writing, it's the | | | | short trip, but go somewhere you've been |
| mild form of writer's block. It often happens when | | | | meaning to go. If possible, go alone. Take a |
| you're missing a step in the writing process. For | | | | camera, and a notebook. You don't have to write, |
| example, you may not know enough about a | | | | but take some pictures. |
| subject to be able to write about it with authority. | | | | 3. Accept Your Fear |
| Do more research, and you'll become enthusiastic | | | | During this self-imposed writing drought, you'll |
| and your block vanishes. | | | | experience many emotions: fear, guilt, anger, and |
| At the extreme of the continuum, when you're | | | | apathy. Although they're unpleasant, these |
| completely unable to write, it's because your life | | | | emotions are good for you - they're a sign that |
| has changed in a fundamental way and you're | | | | you're releasing your resistance. So don't resist |
| highly stressed. You need to accommodate the | | | | the negative emotions: allow yourself to feel |
| changes, and get yourself mentally healthy enough | | | | them. Breathe deeply, and the surges of emotion |
| so that you can write. With this debilitating form | | | | will pass. |
| of writer's block, therapy can help, because such | | | | 4. Get out of Your Head and Into Your Body |
| a block is often part of depression. | | | | Emotions arise in your body, and trigger thoughts. |
| We can't deal with extreme writer's block in a | | | | Try to stay with the sensations in your body: the |
| short article, but there's a method to manage | | | | feeling of the emotion in your body - the |
| milder forms of writer's block. | | | | tightness in your chest, the hollow pit in your |
| Writing Resistance - Managing your Writer's Block | | | | stomach, the heaviness on your shoulders. |
| If you're not writing, it's important that you don't | | | | Take deep breaths, and allow the feelings to pass |
| try to confront your resistance head-on. Chances | | | | - don't get caught up in your thoughts about the |
| are you've tried that, and the more you try to | | | | feelings. |
| write, the more you sit staring at the computer | | | | When you begin to experience the surges of |
| screen wondering what's wrong with you. | | | | emotion in your body, your writer's block is |
| Here's a four step process which I've used, and | | | | almost over. These surges are what you've been |
| have recommended to other writers. It's worked | | | | repressing: they form your writer's block. There's |
| for us, and it should work for you. | | | | no way to release them except by feeling them |
| 1. Don't Write at All for a Week | | | | fully, and letting them go. |
| The first step is acceptance. Just accept that at | | | | At some time during the week, after the strong |
| the moment, you can't write, and give yourself a | | | | emotions subside, you'll feel like writing again - |
| break from writing for a week. Put off deadlines. | | | | you've recovered from the writing disease. |