Writers Block | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Writers Block

I couldn't write for weeks and this is all I came up with.

21
Writers Block
Kaleidico

Sometimes I stare at a blank screen with a white reflection on my glasses lenses. What do I write about? What topic isn't boring? I tap my keys with my fingernails. Bored. Tired. Unenthusiastic.

Sometimes it's totally acceptable to write about your life. Reflect on your actions, share your mistakes with the social media world around you. As you type about your initial experiences, you gleefully watch the word count slowly, but surely increase. But then you stop.

You always write about your experiences. You always reflect on your actions. You always inform your Facebook friends about the specific details from your high school that you really miss. So what do you do? You delete all 330 words of your article and start off with a blank slate. Your face mirrors the blank screen in front of you, and you decide to try something completely different.

The Surrealists believed that automatic writing produced the greatest works-- works where the subconscious would outshine the conscious-- where one's true self would appear. So you take a deep breath, crack a few knuckles and start again, emptying your thoughts onto a digital screen.

Your first draft was a painful 330 words. But now, you've hardly started, but you are at 250 words already. Your fingers move faster across the keyboard and you can't help but make a mental note to test your typing speed when you get the chance. Words words words. You're not totally sure that what you're writing is making any sense, but you decide to worry about that later after you hit the word count goal.

Inane words flow out of your fingertips-- I mean, you're writing about having Writer's Block... Oh the irony.. You smirk at yourself as you glance at your sleeping roommate. She's fast asleep; you can tell by her light snores and how she doesn't twitch in response to your furious typing.

This is a rather odd type of automatic writing. Not everything (besides the actual topic) is nonsensical nor are you pouring out your true soul onto a digital canvas. You have just been stuck for weeks with fears of seeming redundant, that with all hope gone, you choose to attempt something new. Your condition still prevails, as there are times where you stop and stare at your screen. Your typing comes in fits and bursts, but you eye your finish line-- almost at the article quota. The word quota then triggers you, bringing you back to your Intro to Macroeconomics midterm. Did you prepare well? Did you perform above the mean? Your incessant worrying diverts you from your main focus and you take another break.

Finally, you readjust your position in bed and write out the final paragraph. You have piled your cough drop wrappers neatly (no, not even you could escape the sickness). You're still unsure, but you believe that you have been somewhat alleviated from your writer's block.

It's been a long weekend, and you realize that in no time at all, you are now halfway through your first quarter at college. You take a deep breath and can't help but smile. Somehow, after weeks of attempts, you just gave up and went along with your cringe-worthy alternative plan. You succeeded by writing about your writer's block. Let's just hope the editor's okay with your writing this time.

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

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

190744
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

15185
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

458071
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

26735
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments