Close to all writers get writer’s block, or at least some form of it, from time to time. It’s aggravating, frustrating, defeating, exasperating, infuriating, annoying and -- well, you get the idea. It isn't good.
There is a never-ending amount of articles out there that are about overcoming and beating writer’s block, and they are always filled with great ideas and inspiring dialogue, but it never seems to be a problem that someone can completely solve.
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Whenever I am dealing with writer’s block, I always try and remember a quote from Internet Personality/Young Adult Novelist John Green about writer’s block:
“I try to remind myself that carpenters don’t get to get carpenter’s block. I’m a writer, that’s what I do, and if it’s difficult for me to do that doesn’t make an excuse for me not doing it. I have to work because it’s my responsibility to my family and to my readers and to myself… so I try to tell myself that. That never works, so then I just say ‘You know what, just keep writing, and something eventually will work.’ It’s important to give yourself permission to suck sometimes, when you’re writing. But also when you’re doing anything else. That’s a big part of life, being okay with not getting it right the first time out.”
Now, there’s a lot going on in that quote, but I like the two main points that I pull out: you write because you like to, and in some cases, because it is your job to write, and it’s okay to not always write amazing things that people want to read.
The first part may not be applicable to everyone, since not everyone will be writing as a career, or need to write as a means of living, but regardless, it is important as a writer to persuade or influence yourself to keep writing, or to have a reason to write. This can be a very easy thing or a very hard thing, depending on the day or how you’re feeling. Nonetheless, it is always a good idea to keep writing; don’t force yourself or hurt your brain trying to rack up a really awesome idea, just write or type whatever comes to you.
A neat trick that YouTuber Savannah Brown employs is a stream of consciousness typing; this allows you to express all your thoughts out at once, and forces you to keep writing even if you can’t think of anything. I’ve used this technique before myself and it works wonderfully, particularly when I’m feeling uninspired.
The second thing is one that I often struggle with personally: if the thing I’m writing isn't the picturesque idea I had imagined, I get discouraged and give up. It’s like my expectations of myself are so high, that if something isn’t amazing on the first draft, then it belongs in the trash. Especially when writing, it is important to remember that writers spend more time revising than actually writing; nothing will ever be perfect the first time.
Overall, I think the quote really speaks to the need to continue writing in the face of adversity. A writer can’t give up just because they feel defeated; they need to persevere and carry on -- and try ti keep calm.
It’s also important to remember the last part of the quote: that this can apply to any aspect of life. It seems like, nowadays, there is a fear of failure and a deep desire to avoid any chance of losing or taking a step back. That’s not abnormal; no one enjoys failing. However, we have to learn to accept failure as part of the process of going through life. You can’t and you won't always get it right the first time, all the time. Everything is a learning process, and nobody is perfect, so it takes time to learn to do anything. Even in writing.
Okay, this article has slowly turned into one of those sappy, inspirational articles I used to laugh about with my friends, so I’m going to stop before Joe Esposito's, "You're The Best Around," starts playing in the background.
So I will end with this: never give up, whether it be in your writing or in your life, because there is always going to be time to improve.
