Barbara DiLorenzo
Writer's block happens to painters too. I noticed this when I spent a year studying at the Art Student's League of New York. One day, I showed up to paint the model, and not a single brush stroke worked out. It was as if I had suffered a concussion, or my skills just oozed out of my brain in the night. I was really amazed at the difference from the day before. I had been painting from 8:45 am - 12:30 pm, M–F for months, and this hadn't happened before. I asked my teacher, Mary Beth McKenzie, sheepishly wondering if I had hit my end as a painter. She laughed, and then told me the same thing happens to her from time to time. That made me feel a little better. I asked how she got through it. She simply said to keep showing up, day after day, and the act of painting would flow again naturally. I realize now that the same thing happens with writing. It's not always a problem of staring at a blank page. Sometimes it's hard to make progress on a current project. Her advice remains strong though. The only way to get through it is to keep doing the work, day after day.
More Answered Questions
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more