It’s Not Always Writer’s Block
For years, I’ve been under this illusion that every time I’m having trouble writing, it is known to all as the disease called “Writer’s Block.” I have tried and tried to find the right approach in beating it. I have tried to figure out what I’m doing wrong in my attempts, and I have ended up with something like this:
He stood, walked away, and I never saw him again. I told myself I didn’t care, but…
*Backspaces aggressively*
I told myself to care, because I felt sorry for…
*Backspaces even more aggressively*
I tried to care, but who was I kidding? Shmerlohgulkinshburgh dsgch WHAT IS THE REASON FOR MY FAILURE?!?
That’s what the beginning of a psychotic breakdown looks like.
It was in the past year or so that I realized what I was doing wrong. I didn’t have writer’s block. I was being blocked from writing, but it wasn’t for lack of creativity and imagination. It was from ineffective working.
Allow me to shed some light on the subject.
I thought the most ideal place for me to write would be where I am the most comfortable. In the woods, maybe at the lake. Just chilling out, sitting at the random picnic table that nobody knows from where it came.
Guess how that turned out!
For starters, I rode my horse there. She didn’t like being tied to trees – and kids, don’t try this at home – so I ended up sitting on my horse while she grazed.
Can you say…DISTRACTION?
That’s an obvious no-no: horses are for riding on, not writing on.
Here is a less obvious no-no, for you.
I drive to the lake. I set up a nice little area at the picnic table. I try to type for five minutes, and I actually get BORED of writing! I feel like I’m wasting away behind a computer because I’m not soaking in the sun, and I’m not watching the geese in the water.
Here’s my tip for the young writer without an office. If you have trouble concentrating, even in your happy place, try the place you’re most bored with.
So, my ineffective writing was caused by distraction, right? After I fixed the problem, I could finish my blog…yeah?
Nope.
Why not? Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because when a person sits in their bedroom, typing and trying to force an idea to show up as a masterpiece on their screen, they burn away the one calorie from that one bag of trailmix they had for a snack, and now they’re about to die of starvation.
No, really. This was a moment of truth. I was dying, but did I choose to get up and get myself food? Heck, no. I wasn’t finished.
It took me a while to realize my hunger was the problem. I ended up researching factors that affected concentration, and an article by Dr. Julie Schwartzbard, MD is what I found. In her article, literally titled “Factors That Affect Focus and Concentration,” she listed hunger right away.
One might think I’d have realized that on my own. It’s tough to figure everything out for yourself, though. That’s why, as growing authors, we like to stick together and pick advice and encouragement off of each other.
God knows, we’re too squirrel-brained to go it alone.
Moral of the story: don’t ignore mealtimes, write where you’re bored, and don’t type while you ride a horse.
Oh my goodness, this was SO FUNNY! I think we all can relate to this. I often stare at a blank Word document and question my ability to type anything intelligent ever again. Writing for me tends to be 10% writing and 90% worrying that I have nothing to write about. I am so glad you tested out writing on a horse, so now I know not to do that, lol. This was great, very informational and entertaining. It’s a good reminder that we are not alone in our struggles!
Honesty, I loved reading this and was a little disappointed it didn’t go on longer! Your writing is full of personality and it really makes your articles stand out. Normally I don’t like a lot of back story but you made it work great!
Hilarious! I will try to remember not to write on a horse–but seeing that I have fallen off every time I’ve gotten on one, I don’t think I will have any problem remembering this tidbit. And trying to do anything while you’re hungry is hard. I really appreciate your suggestion to write where you are most bored because I have issues with being distracted.
I came across an article on The New Yorker website about a similar topic:
https://www.newyorker.com/science/maria-konnikova/how-to-beat-writers-block
I found it very interesting, and it gives the reader hope for the future of their own writing journey.
I love how this reads! You’ve done a fantastic job of letting your personality shine through in this piece. Not often do I want to continue reading a blog, but with yours, I most certainly do. It feels like more of an entertainment piece.
Thanks for taking us through your hunger driven writer’s block. 🙂 Great post!
This was very relatable (as I switch between screens and stare at a blank Word Doc). I enjoyed the humor in your writing and was wanting to keep read more.
I am really trying to imagine writing on a horse because:
1. It’s a horse.
2. I am not a fan of horses.
3. IT’S A FREAKING HORSE! LOL!
I really loved your post! it’s very different and fun to read. Sometimes I am not able to concentrate when I’m writing something. and it gets so frustrated sometimes that I would just start at my screen. I don’t know it if its my hunger, or I guess I never knew. Most of the time, when I write something, I make sure I’m enjoying the topic or otherwise I would lose my focus.
Great stuff! I am well acquainted with writer’s block. I think this blog has a lot of great advice for tackling it. In my experience, getting to point B when writing requires brute force sometimes. I always set deadlines for myself, even when I am working on a project for myself. I have found that having a date that I will be held accountable for helps to move my pen. Sometimes, getting something done and refining after the fact is the best way to go. I don’t think there is a one size fits all approach to overcoming writer’s block, but all methods have to start with a commitment to getting over the mountain!
As serious as the subject is, writer’s block, I am glad that you made this a fun read. I hope that was your intention. It’s always great to lighten the day with some humor, especially finding this gem among the blogs. For me, I would have guessed that your initial block came when you tried editing and re-editing your first sentence. I’ve learned after writing several young adult novels to just keep plucking away, maybe fix a word or two, but don’t try to edit as you write. Let the ideas flow, then go back and look at cutting, rearranging, and editing. The writing process is never complete the first time around, but yes, there are factors such as hunger and distractions that will pull us away from a task that we know we must complete. Great read! I really enjoyed your blog.
Those are definitely distractions, and the main takeaway for me is that we need to be aware of where and when we write. You totally pegged me on the eating. I get so involved in a subject, I lose track of time and before I know it lunch has rolled around. Then, I just need to get to this stopping point … One simple thing, similar to your where point, is that whether you write directly onto the computer or first rough it out on paper. I tried for about a year to try to save time, typing it directly in and thought after a bit that I had actually hit writer’s block for the first time in my life. I threw in the towel one day and went back to pen and paper and bam! I was back in the game.
Your blog really got me thinking!