Is writer’s block really a thing?
Musings of a baby writer on why writer’s block is a myth
I cannot write. It seems I have hit a hard rock with my head and I can’t seem to weave any words anymore. It is as if I have been struck by a curse rendering me instantly dumb, not deaf. In fact, I can hear I want to say. I just don’t know how to write it and the words to use. I am literally lost for words and cannot write.
Most writers have at some point had to experience what has been called writer’s block. But does this kind of thing really exists? How does one simply go blank and have nothing to write? Even those combinations of words that do not make any sense?
Writers are messengers. We write out a message. Depending on this message, we weave words into sentences and paragraphs. We educate and we enlighten. And when you feel you do not have a good message, things could turn around to become a problem.
Most writers believe there is such a thing as writers block but that isn't the case. Hear me out.
The feeling of being blocked by something invisible from writing often is a sign of a deeper problem: You are uncomfortable with what you are writing. This means you do not have complete trust in what you are typing. You doubt it, and think it may sound mediocre or isn't good writing. You then fear the possibility of criticism and public ridicule when your writing does out.
Now before you say I have no idea of what I am talking about, Know that i put off writing my book for almost a year. I had the complete outline of the full text. And did nothing for more than a year. I was constantly doing research, procrastinating and feeling like an imposter. I believed my message was no novelty and that who was I to even write a piece on the topic as I was still struggling with my excuses. The Book is on excuses. When I finally came to terms that people needed the advice I had to give, and also my message was not just based on my short experience on earth but also scientific papers written even before I was born which confirm my thesis, I gained more confidence. I used less than 3 months to complete the book. The book is currently being finalized for publication. How’s that for writers’ block. All along those days I experienced blocks, I always had this feeling that the book had no value and wasn't worth writing.
When I started blogging on Wordinspired I constantly felt there was nothing to write about. That was in 2018. Just this year, we have about 90 headlines set to be written into articles for publishing on the blog.
The Way to Rid Yourself of Writers Block
No gimmicks, no magic and no tricks. There is no secret. I feel I should let this out right off the bat.
Writing is a skill. Like every other skill, it gets better with practice and creating work. It doesn't matter if it makes the bestseller. As far as it provides value, write it. And when writing, do not filter what you write. Let it all out. Do not edit as you write. These are the very activities that cause you to judge your work eve before it gains its right form.
Write, write and write some more. You'd soon begin to get a hang of it. That will enable you to write netter texts, gain confidence and to write even better. But if you keep criticizing your work and kill your ideas even before they are out, then you are bound to experience a block. Your mind will struggle to churn out idea because the ego takes over — and writing with the ego always leads to writing stuff you cannot connect with.
The secret is to simply write. Just do it.
Further Reading
