Life is filled with plenty of “i don’t wanna.” For some, writing HAS to happen. When the block rears its ugly head, I transfer my writing energy into a different project. Step away from Priority #1 and look at Fun Project #1 instead.
I once heard an interview with Ruth Ozeki about her writing process. She said something that really stuck with me. She described writer's block as this big wall separating her rational mind from the magic that exists on the other side of the wall, and it was this impenetrable thing that she would prepare to throw herself at. And when she did, she would fall through the other side and realize "there is no wall there at all!" - that the wall was a hallucination. (which reminds me of that scene in The Matrix with the spoon... don't try to bend the spoon... realize there is no spoon.)
I view "the wall" as a mental manifestation of resistance, similar to how emotion manifests in our physical bodies... but here's the thing... I think that resistance is a really useful tool. It tells us there is something on the other side worth exploring. And when we encounter it, our job becomes practicing a shift in perspective. We must re-learn how to see. There is no wall.
I think we do this by returning to the basics and remove the stakes... practice freewriting, journal writing, prompt writing, write for yourself, read... until your perspective shifts. Maybe we should combine the advice from both Stafford and Morrison.
I'm with Morrison. Note Morrison uses quotes around the term "writer's block." Whenever I'm unable to move forward on a story or idea, I journal about why and what is impeding me. I'll journal on what it is I'm trying to say or convey. Clearly my writing is not blocked for I have much to say about what causes my inability. I'm a clear believer in allowing the work to brew while I absent the page, or turn to a different project, or write about the impediment. Stafford's method feels to me like watching water boil on a stove that's not turned on.
I think they may both be right. There are two kinds of writers' block. The first is project- or performance specific - subconsciously, the writing is wrong (POV, main character, tense, style) and until you realise what needs to change, it feels like it's preventing you working - but you can put it aside and concentrate on something else. There is also the writers' block when you need new inspiration, or a rest from overload, or to rediscover the joy of writing - and sometimes we need to wait it out.
I do suffer from writer's block sometimes and that is often down to lack of confidence. But during lockdown I found it hard to write at all and I think that was due to lack of outside stimulation. Yes I have a garden and access to nature but the lack of human contact affected my ability to write.
I'm more of a Staffordian than a Morrisonite which means putting pen to paper, fingers to keyboard, and writing without thinking, allowing the words, the language, to carry one along without intent. The struggle with writer's block is a fisticuffs between the conscious assertion of intent and allowance for the unconscious other to emerge. So, if one has intention to do something specific, then writer's block may be part of the process. If one writes without thinking, the words and language show us the way.
I completely agree with Toni. I personally have never written anything worthwhile by forcing it. Writing for me is fun and sometimes cathartic, never a drag or a stress nor do I want it to be.
I've never identified anything as writer's block, but sometimes I need to be fallow because I'm kind of used up. Then it's better to do other things: art, organizing, a nasty work project, or subs. But there is something else that might be akin to writer's block and that is abandoned aka unfinished projects. For me those happen to be two plays, a YA novel, and a novel. I have no intention of finishing the latter two, but sometimes I think I would like to work on the plays. However, there is only so much energy and time. So have I not finished them because of writer's block on those projects or because I've had more passion for other writing?
Life is filled with plenty of “i don’t wanna.” For some, writing HAS to happen. When the block rears its ugly head, I transfer my writing energy into a different project. Step away from Priority #1 and look at Fun Project #1 instead.
I once heard an interview with Ruth Ozeki about her writing process. She said something that really stuck with me. She described writer's block as this big wall separating her rational mind from the magic that exists on the other side of the wall, and it was this impenetrable thing that she would prepare to throw herself at. And when she did, she would fall through the other side and realize "there is no wall there at all!" - that the wall was a hallucination. (which reminds me of that scene in The Matrix with the spoon... don't try to bend the spoon... realize there is no spoon.)
I view "the wall" as a mental manifestation of resistance, similar to how emotion manifests in our physical bodies... but here's the thing... I think that resistance is a really useful tool. It tells us there is something on the other side worth exploring. And when we encounter it, our job becomes practicing a shift in perspective. We must re-learn how to see. There is no wall.
I think we do this by returning to the basics and remove the stakes... practice freewriting, journal writing, prompt writing, write for yourself, read... until your perspective shifts. Maybe we should combine the advice from both Stafford and Morrison.
- Remove our expectations (and tell our inner critic to shove off)
- Don't throw ourselves at the wall. Practice (or stretch with writer-adjacent tasks) until our minds are ready to see that there is no wall.
I'm with Morrison. Note Morrison uses quotes around the term "writer's block." Whenever I'm unable to move forward on a story or idea, I journal about why and what is impeding me. I'll journal on what it is I'm trying to say or convey. Clearly my writing is not blocked for I have much to say about what causes my inability. I'm a clear believer in allowing the work to brew while I absent the page, or turn to a different project, or write about the impediment. Stafford's method feels to me like watching water boil on a stove that's not turned on.
I think they may both be right. There are two kinds of writers' block. The first is project- or performance specific - subconsciously, the writing is wrong (POV, main character, tense, style) and until you realise what needs to change, it feels like it's preventing you working - but you can put it aside and concentrate on something else. There is also the writers' block when you need new inspiration, or a rest from overload, or to rediscover the joy of writing - and sometimes we need to wait it out.
I do suffer from writer's block sometimes and that is often down to lack of confidence. But during lockdown I found it hard to write at all and I think that was due to lack of outside stimulation. Yes I have a garden and access to nature but the lack of human contact affected my ability to write.
I'm more of a Staffordian than a Morrisonite which means putting pen to paper, fingers to keyboard, and writing without thinking, allowing the words, the language, to carry one along without intent. The struggle with writer's block is a fisticuffs between the conscious assertion of intent and allowance for the unconscious other to emerge. So, if one has intention to do something specific, then writer's block may be part of the process. If one writes without thinking, the words and language show us the way.
I completely agree with Toni. I personally have never written anything worthwhile by forcing it. Writing for me is fun and sometimes cathartic, never a drag or a stress nor do I want it to be.
I've never identified anything as writer's block, but sometimes I need to be fallow because I'm kind of used up. Then it's better to do other things: art, organizing, a nasty work project, or subs. But there is something else that might be akin to writer's block and that is abandoned aka unfinished projects. For me those happen to be two plays, a YA novel, and a novel. I have no intention of finishing the latter two, but sometimes I think I would like to work on the plays. However, there is only so much energy and time. So have I not finished them because of writer's block on those projects or because I've had more passion for other writing?