Why Writers Get Blocked

All writers get blocked at one time or another. Sometimes it can be worked through fairly quickly, but there are times when a molehill becomes a mountain. It's an helpless feeling when your creativity and words are blocked. It's almost like there's been a short-circuit or overusage that causes a blackout of the mind. Why does this happen and what can you do to overcome this torturous dilemma?

I'm not a neurologist, just a struggling writer myself. However, I do have a few theories on what causes writer's block. One possible reason is that there is too much conflict and stress in the mind. While most of us work through life in these states, sometimes it can add up and become too much to handle and the mind simply shuts down. It can be a sign that there needs to be some time set aside for peace, relaxation, and to fill up your mental well. Even the most hardcore workaholic needs some downtime, even if he or she won't admit it. It's essential to our well-being and sometimes our mind lets us know subconsciously that it's time to decompress by simply refusing to work anymore.

Another reason for writers block could be what some call the "anxiety of influence." This is a common occurrence when artists and writers visit places where other renowned artists lived or worked. They attend these retreats for the purpose of learning, working, and hopefully soaking up the influence of greatness to use in their own work. Yet some leave disheartened and unable to work for a period of time, or perhaps forever. They feel that they could never measure up to the quality of their idols. Their minds, hearts and souls simply blank out. This hopelessness and despair is understandable, but not necessary. While we all want to achieve some kind of immortality in this world, there are many different levels of "greatness." Instead of working towards "the great American novel" perhaps we should strive to do our best work, write what we love, and allow the creative process to stay alive in us. I could never imagine creating a novel as brilliant as Cannery Row by Steinbeck, but I can imagine writing my own stories, to the best of my capability. The world wants more than one style, story, and vision.

Writer's also get blocked because they doubt themselves and let their inner editor browbeat them as they write. Instead of letting the words flow, their inner tyrant criticizes and belittles each word until they cease flowing and settle into a stagnant pool in the mind. In order for the waters to flow, we must learn to staunch, muffle, choke, and altogether silence this beastly critic and learn to trust our instincts. The first draft is never the final draft, but it usually holds the seeds of ideas and phrases that will germinate, take root, and grow into something worthy. Once we understand the reasons behind our blockages, it's easier to weed out the causes and let our words flourish in the sun.