Writer’s block
Every writer experiences moments when they are either less productive than usual or just not productive at all. Such situations are brought about by various factors; maybe the writer is on a very tight schedule that they can’t find time to write, or they are facing the writers’ block or the creative ‘blockage’ as Graham Greene called it.
What is the writer’s block? It is a state where a writer’s mind ceases to be creative. The duration of this condition varies with different writers; for some, it may be for a day or less, while for others, it may take up to a year. Although the term “writer’s block” was introduced into the academic literature in the 1940s, this condition has been in existence as long as writing was invented.
Although there is a debate on the existence of the writer’s block, it is evident that it happens since renowned authors and Novelists such as Graham Green admitted to having experienced it. Many people (esp critics) believe that the idea of writer’s block is just an excuse by authors to procrastinate and lobby for their poor quality works. Such beliefs subject a lot of pressure on writers, especially those who are expected to publish regularly to meet readers’ demands. “Maybe they are just lazy, maybe have exhausted their ideas, maybe their source of impression ran out, or they are just a proof of the landlord’s theory- stops writing once their rent is paid.”
Symptoms of writer’s block
The author is the only person who can accurately tell if they are experiencing a writer’s block or not. Unlike clinical conditions which have specific symptoms, the writer’s block has no standard observations that one can use to tell it apart from other causes of unproductivity. However, in the 1970s and 1980s, Jerome Singer and Michael Barrios, both were Yale University psychologists, conducted research to determine what the creativity block is and what could be done about it.
A diverse group of writers, both those that were blocked and those who were fine, was recruited to take part in the research. For those who were experiencing the block, the symptoms ought to have lasted at least three months for them to qualify for the research. The two scientists observed the writers’ development for a month and subjected them to interviews and other psychological tests.
The research findings indicated that blocked writers were generally unhappy. This group of writers exhibited symptoms of anxiety, depression, increased self-criticism, and reduced pride and excitement at work. Also, the blocked writers suffered from obsessive-compulsive disorder (exhibited repetition, self-doubt, procrastination, and perfectionism). The blocked writers were then classified into four groups.
In the first group, the writers experienced dominant stress and anxiety since the inability to write caused deep emotional stress, which killed the joy of writing. In another group, anger and irritation towards others were evident. This was a result of frustrations caused by the impediment to write. The third group was apathetic and disengaged; this was because of the idea that having some alone time could break the creativity barrier. The fourth group exhibited more disappointment, anger, and hostility than sadness.
Causes of The writer’s block
There are many causes of writer’s block ranging from emotional, psychological to environmental causes. However, some most common causes are timing, fear, and perfectionism.
Timing- One is more likely to experience a writer’s block when their timing to write is not right. Maybe whatever one wants to write needs more research, or generally, the idea needs some more thoughts before one starts writing. One’s writing schedule also determines whether they will experience a writer’s block or not. Observing a routine that gives one more free time alone when writing is important since distractions contribute a lot in blocking creativity.
Fear and Perfectionism- The fear of what might happen or what people might say after publishing greatly affects a writer’s creativity. In most cases, the pursuit of perfection might overtake the need for sourcing and expressing ideas creatively.
Solutions for writer’s block
As earlier indicated, there are no specific causes of the writer’s block; therefore, there are no specific solutions for it. For instance, in 1950, Edmund Bergler, through an article titled “Does Writer’s Block Exist,” published in the American Imago Journal, claimed that a writer is like a psychoanalyst. He further states that a writer unconsciously tries to solve his/her inner problems through writing and that if a writer is blocked, it means they are blocked psychologically. According to Bergler, the only solution to the block is therapy. This theory was, however, dismissed since it is hard to tell whether all the writing block is as a result of psychological problems.
Setting writing schedules and targets can also play a good role in keeping one creative. Once a schedule is set, it gives the writer a time to plan and meditate on an idea before starting to write. Having a general concept and the number of words needed for a given task ensures a smooth flow of ideas.
Changing the environment or taking a break from writing is essential in maintaining creativity. As a writer, changing the environment might be a way of eliminating distractions or creating a new perspective of an already existing idea. Taking breaks from writing helps one to reorganize their ideas before putting them down. It also gives a writer room to collect new ideas for the project at hand.
The best way to collect ideas is to read. As a writer, read books by other writers, listen to music as well because they are a source of inspiration to stories. Learning how people have expressed their ideas in writing will give you as a writer a guideline on how you can creatively present your idea.
“The more you write, the more you get used to it”; this phrase explains a recommended solution by manyrenowned writers. To get used to writing, one has to write as much as possible such that their minds get used to creative thinking at all times. This has proven to be the ideal solution for the writer’s block.
In general, the Writer’s Block exists, and as a writer, you have to deal with it when it comes. However, this is not the only condition that affects a writer’s productivity; there might be other issues mostly psychological that writers experience. Therefore, before you conclude on a writer’s situation, check on them to be sure if it is just the writer’s block or something else affecting them.