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The 13 Stages Of Writer’s Block

Even the best of us fall victim

Oct 25, 2016

As a writer for Odyssey, we are required to submit an article once a week. In the beginning of your career on this website, you have a bunch of ideas, so pulling a couple of articles out of thin air is such a simple thing that you don’t even think twice about it. After a couple of months go by, though, you see your productivity slowly coming to a halt and then the time comes when you just don’t have an article idea all together. It’s the day before (or even sometimes the day of) your deadline, you have no ideas, you’re staring at a blank screen, and time is running out. What’s happening? Writer’s block, my friend. Welcome to the club.

1. You think of your deadline as if it’s a year away

You definitely have time to write it. You can totally do it tomorrow.

2. Tomorrow comes around and you suddenly feel a little panicked

I don’t have an idea. Maybe if I push it one more day I’ll come up with a great idea.

3. The great idea still hasn’t hit you but something else does; realization

So this is what writer’s block is

4. You start to go through your list of stored ideas in your phone

There must be something good in here that I can write about

5. You start to doubt every single idea you’ve ever come up with

How did I come up with 10 ideas before that are all so stupid?

6. You frantically try and come up with an idea on the spot

Maybe I can write an advice article? But wait I don’t even have my own life together so maybe not.

7. You give up and decide a break may help you think of an idea

Sitting here obviously is just making me more on edge. I should just watch a YouTube video. Or five. Or ten.

8. You come back to your work and panic even more because you realize how much time you’ve wasted

How is it already night time?

9. You go back to your list of ideas in your phone and decide to settle on the easiest one

I have no other choice at this point

10. You rush through writing the article just so you can make your deadline

I already wasted so much time. I just need to finish this as soon as humanly possible.

11. You start to regret the lack of effort you put into it

Maybe I should’ve spent a little bit more time on it. What if people don’t like it?

12. You immediately make a promise to yourself that you’ll never put yourself through this ever again

Next week I’m going to write the best article I’ve ever written

13. You unfortunately do it all over again

Welcome to the club. Once you’re in, you’ll never be able to leave.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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​The 13 Stages Of Writer’s Block

Even the best of us fall victim

Subscribe to our Newsletter

All names should be "unisex names."

1. Communicating via email can be awkward.

2. Appointments usually accompany weird looks.

3. Introducing yourself to someone is never without a hitch.

4. You’ve probably thought about changing your name.

5. You’re often asked why you have the name you do.

6. You get excited when you meet someone of your gender with your name.

7. You feel awkward when you meet someone of the opposite gender with your name.

8. You’ve had someone say to you, “I knew a [your name], but they were [your opposite gender].”

9. You’ve heard a bad joke/pick-up line or two about your name before.

10. People are surprised when they see you.

11. You’re extra sensitive to other unique or unisex names.

12. You’ve fought with your parents about it.

13. All things considered, you’re happy your name makes you unique.

You know that all of these things apply to you. You'll just never tell.

I get it... I'm pale.

1. At least I can't lose you in a crowd!

2. Oh my goodness your skin is like glow-in-the-dark.

3. Can't you just get fake tan?

4. Do you tan or just burn?

5. Your kids are going to look like Casper the Friendly Ghost!

6. *holds arm against your arm* Look how much darker I am compared to you!

7. *holds pale arm against another pale arm* Aw, at least you're darker than her!

8. I laid out by the pool almost every day over break!

9. I haven't used sunscreen since I was, like, five.

10. *adjusts selfie lighting to their face* Oops, where'd you go??

11. *after working out* Your face is SO red!

12. *wears white* Look! You're all one color!

13. You need to get some sun.

14. Aren't you excited for summer?

The struggle bus is real.

1. Child prodigies:

2. Hearing other musicians in the practice room next door and accepting that you will never be as talented as them:

3. That anxiety that takes over before every performance:

4. Taking a million 0 credit classes:

5. When there's a paper due the next day, but you have to attend yet another concert in order to pass a 0 credit class:

6. When your friends try to encourage you after a performance, even though you are criticizing everything in your mind:

7. Knowing that there's always that one professor during juries:

8. The oh-so-attractive band/choir uniforms:

9. Realizing that a college campus is maybe not the best atmosphere to finish your latest composition:

10. Hearing "Oh, you sing opera? I LOVE Phantom of the Opera!" for the hundredth time:

11. When people think finals week is a breeze for you.

12. When you're drowning in the stress that comes with 18+ credits (and not to mention all those 0 credit classes) and people ask you how you are:

13. When it all comes down to it, though, you know that at the end of the day, music is your passion:

Because you need it in your life.

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The 13 Stages Of Writer’s Block

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6. holds arm against your arm Look how much darker I am compared to you!

7. holds pale arm against another pale arm Aw, at least you're darker than her!

10. adjusts selfie lighting to their face Oops, where'd you go??

11. after working out Your face is SO red!

12. wears white Look! You're all one color!