Carving A Path To Success Pt.3 (Dealing with the Void called Writer Block)

As writers were punish our brains to come up with what we feel is unique and special. We are influenced by the world around us. Every taste, sight and smell is something we can translate into words. We are able to describe virtually anything regardless of it it physically exist or not. Then from time to time we face the dreaded void known as writers block. That moment when the record skips and no sound come from the record. Our hands stop writing, typing, sketching, and we are forced to look at our work and wonder "what's next?" Every writer deals with the void; it's inevitable. Our minds are trained to continue and our hands usually function as an extension of that, but what happens when it stops and you cannot continue?

As defined in Wikipedia
Writer's block is a condition, associated with writing as a profession, in which an author loses the ability to produce new work. The condition varies widely in intensity. It can be trivial, a temporary difficulty in dealing with the task in hand. At the other extreme, some "blocked" writers have been unable to work for years on end, and some have even abandoned their careers.

Most people don't understand what writers block can do to a writer. One is not able to continue working, and as a professional that is detrimental to your bread and butter. Can't have that right?

Like many writers I suffer from the void/the wall/writers block. Sometimes it can last a day, sometimes months, and sometimes I may not finish at all. It took me four years to complete my opus, and in some ways I still don't feel like it's finished. Sometimes writers block is caused from feeling super pumped about a project and then as you get into it, lost the motivation because it was more difficult than you assumed. Maybe it comes from trying to write something you aren't used to. Sometimes it comes from writing in a new medium (going from screenwriting to novel or vice versa). There are many valid reasons as to why, but one must remember that writers block is like many things pshycological. The human mind is capable of great things. If it can put up a wall, then it can also tear that wall down.

Exercises for dealing with Writers Block (Quoted from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writer's_block)

Scheduling time to write and work, regardless of the quality of the output. Find writing lessons, resources, exercises, and tips online.

Engaging in brief periods of free writing or "mindwriting," in which people impulsively write whatever comes to mind.

Join a traditional Writing Group or join a free online writing group.

Making yourself writing something new by entering a writing competition

Challenging negative thoughts about one's skill or ability to write.

Using writers' exercises such as "chunking" or focus words. There are many websites that contain numerous creative writing exercises. Writers read an exercise, and do it.

Taking a break, meditating, or doing relaxation exercises to relieve any pressure on oneself and on the writing.

Doing something out of the ordinary. If writer's block comes from a lack of new ideas, attempts to spark creativity by going somewhere new or doing something different can be useful.

Returning to the writing after a lapse of a day or two.

Write a basic plot outline of the story if having problems keeping the story on the rails.

Brainstorming at the beginning of the writing can help the writer by relating every point to another.

Reading, watching movies or plays, or similar activities that might bring inspiration.

Going out to get some fresh air.

Similarly, diet and exercise are linked to optimal performance of mind and body - thus, keeping oneself in good health is important for creative output. Aerobic exercise oxygenates the brain, and walking in particular is a time honored remedy for creative block.

Set your writing down, go out and do something (something that will keep you busy) and then come back in a few hours with a fresh mind.

Try asemic writing.

Review and if necessary reorganize source material or notes.

Listen to music.

Draw the story.

Take your focus away from the main story and work on the more fun, yet none-the-less needed, side stories; the legends, mythos, backstories and simple histories of things. The break from the concrete storyline can allow for a restoration of creativity.

Break the vicious cycle and retake your self-confidence by writing something entirely unrelated to your usual field of word. For example, for someone blocked in the writing of a novel, write cooking recepies, political opinions, anything else. The idea being simply to reconnect with the energy of feeling able to create and write.

It is not impossible to overcome the void. Regardless of how intimidating it may seem many writers have faced writers block and triumphed. The real key is to realize that there is a solution. No project is incapable of being written. If you saw fit to start the project, then see fit to finish it through. One of the greatest things is tackling the obstacle and seeing your project finished. Even if it isn't perfect, you did it. The feeling of satisfaction is immense and even larger than the wall that stood in your way.

(See the Wikipedia article listed above for more info on writer block as well as links to websites for exercises to overcome it.)