Five Symptoms of Writer's Block

If you are stuck on an assignment and can't seem to get finished, or worse yet, can't even get started, you may be suffering from writer's block. Writer's block is the term used to describe that terrible condition when you are under pressure to produce something but are so frozen by the very thought of it that you can't move on it at all. Writer's block shows itself in the form of various symptoms, some of which are listed below. Identify which symptom best describes your present circumstance and then try out the remedy suggested. Most likely you will be able to get yourself unstuck with just a few minor steps and before you know it, your project will be finished, sent, and out of your mind!

Symptom #1:No Ideas

If you are stuck and have no ideas, it is probably because you started in writing without doing the ground work of brainstorming and planning.

Remedy: Put your work aside and start fresh with only the title or the main idea. Do a brainstorm (mind map, make lists, etc.). Include lots of questions on your brainstorming paper. Then go and do the preliminary research. Finally, organize your ideas with headings and subheadings. When you return to the work, chose one portion (from your list of headings) and work on that - one at a time.

Symptom #2:Boredom

Either you have chosen a topic you are not particularly interested in, or you've been assigned a topic you just don't care much about. Either way, you are stuck because you are bored with your topic.

Remedy: Find some aspect that does interest you. I'm not particularly interested in lizards, for example, but the harsh conditions of their desert environment might be interesting; I'd be willing to look into that aspect of the topic of lizards. Dig in enough to find something that interests you so you can at least get started.

Symptom #3:Lack of Confidence

If you feel you aren't qualified to do the writing, you will be stuck from the onset. You may worry that your grammar isn't good enough or you have poor spelling. You may be hearing criticisms in your head from previous attempts at writing.

Remedy: Know that you can get help with the mechanics and resign yourself to getting that help once you have written the draft. Do the research so you will have accurate information to work with. Talk about your ideas with a friend or colleague. Put your idealistic images of perfectionism aside and write out that draft: the only way to get to perfectionism is to start and then to seek help.

Symptom #4: Anxiety

When you are full of anxiety about something, you feel agitated, fidgety, jittery. Your mind goes in every possible direction except to the task at hand.

Remedy: Sit or lie comfortably in a quiet, dimly lit space. Close your eyes and settle your breathing. Then picture yourself doing the required writing. Don't think about the content that needs to be written, only see yourself writing. Notice details surrounding the image - the desk, the room, the lighting, etc. Then notice how you feel about the image and how the person you see feels. Sit with this image for as long as you can.

Symptom #5:Stress

When stress has its grip, you can't think straight. You can't even begin to sit still and do some writing.

Remedy: Have a pre-writing ritual that helps you to slow down and relax. Know in advance where you plan to write and prepare your space. Make it free of clutter and get out your supplies and materials. Then do some physical activity to relax your muscles and clear your mind. Take several deep breaths and do some long, slow stretches.

Writer's block can seem overwhelming and paralyzing, but it doesn't need to have this power over you. Consider what it is that is causing your writer's block by identifying the symptoms you have. Then try out one or more of these remedies and you will be well on your way to victory and a finished product!