Michael M. Sharpe
Writer's block is a message from your mind similar to the human body shutting-down when you are too hot. The solution to that biological signal is quite clear- to prevent passing out from heat exhaustion, you slow down- cool down until your body has re-energized.
Writer's block is your mind giving you a similar signal: slow down; cool down, take a breather and let your body reset- just as your computer or cell phone must be reset from time to time to give it a moment to recalibrate, recuperate toward recovery.
So I don't fight writer's block. I see it as my friend telling me to take a break and go somewhere peaceful with my favorite food, drink and just chill; lay outside and watch the giant people in the clouds form castles and kingdoms and characters from heaven.
Wander aimlessly in your mind's backyard without care or thought about your story. When you least expect it the blockade is lifted and thousands of thoughts stream into your consciousness. Write! Write and write some more!
Now on the other hand sometimes I get writer's block because I find myself knee-high in weeds or in a forest with no path. I call this the "lost writer" because I have no sense of where I am heading, there is no path or plan to my next step. This writer's block is brought on because I haven't put the time into mapping out the story, clearing the weeds and providing myself a pathway to the next great chapter. Not to worry I simply go back and remap story for the 50th time.
Whatever the reason allow yourself time to play with the solutions without any sense of urgency- but once you think you've identified the culprit- develop a plan of action to eliminate the blocking-scoundrel (as a minimum) during your hours of writing.
Writer's block is your mind giving you a similar signal: slow down; cool down, take a breather and let your body reset- just as your computer or cell phone must be reset from time to time to give it a moment to recalibrate, recuperate toward recovery.
So I don't fight writer's block. I see it as my friend telling me to take a break and go somewhere peaceful with my favorite food, drink and just chill; lay outside and watch the giant people in the clouds form castles and kingdoms and characters from heaven.
Wander aimlessly in your mind's backyard without care or thought about your story. When you least expect it the blockade is lifted and thousands of thoughts stream into your consciousness. Write! Write and write some more!
Now on the other hand sometimes I get writer's block because I find myself knee-high in weeds or in a forest with no path. I call this the "lost writer" because I have no sense of where I am heading, there is no path or plan to my next step. This writer's block is brought on because I haven't put the time into mapping out the story, clearing the weeds and providing myself a pathway to the next great chapter. Not to worry I simply go back and remap story for the 50th time.
Whatever the reason allow yourself time to play with the solutions without any sense of urgency- but once you think you've identified the culprit- develop a plan of action to eliminate the blocking-scoundrel (as a minimum) during your hours of writing.
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