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- Oct 21, 2015
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- Northern Arizona
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- writerblalley.wixsite.com
While writer's block is real, it is self imposed. I studied English, Literature, and Creative Writing in grade and high school and in college. I wrote many short stories and exercises during that time. I always applied what I had learned to every day writing, but had not written much creatively since school. Decades later I was struck with an idea for a novel that, for whatever reason, landed like a ton of bricks and wouldn't budge.
When I got home I immediately began assembling my ideas and writing the story, but after a few chapters I hit a wall in spite of knowing where I wanted the story to go. Adding to my inability to continue was the fact I was still working full time while experiencing increasing fatigue, to the point I was too tired to do anything when I got home. The book languished for years virtually untouched until my condition quickly worsened and I was forced to retire. With so much free time and a desperate need for a distraction from growing frustration and depression, I dusted off that novel and took another crack at it. Unfortunately I face the same issue: not being able to get past that spot that held me up for so many years.
It wasn't until I realized I was overwhelmed by the idea of writing a novel that I was able to overcome the obstacle. I dismissed the novel idea and decided to just write, and that whatever length the story ended up it would be the right length. Flash, short, novella, so be it. That simple shift opened the creative floodgates, allowing me to not only adjust and refine my story but write unencumbered by self-imposed minimums and daunting literary packages.
The words came, and continued. Ironically, by removing the word goal I ended up writing a 133,000-word first draft. My editor was just as shocked having expected a thin stack and instead receiving an entire ream of paper. Yes it was overblown and the published version is 40,000 words lighter (another lesson in efficiency and killing our darlings), but it completely altered my perspective of writing.
While the book was in the hands of my editor I decided to write another novel, both to prove the first wasn't a fluke and because I had an idea. Again I never considered word count and that novel topped out in the mid-40k range. It's light(ish) and fun.
I never experienced that kind of creative wall again. Sure I've had many moments where I found myself distracted and doing anything except writing, but I don't consider those moments to be writer's block. I realized very quickly it was my subconscious telling me I was on the wrong track, and by stepping away even for an extended period the solution always presented itself and the writing continued, and was better. That is why I do not subscribe to "Write every day" or "Write X words a day" and believe those concepts are the enemy of creativity. Had I pushed myself to meet such artificial goals my writing would be incoherent drivel, or non-existent in the case of my first book. Since I resumed writing, every word has been born of inspiration rather than obligation. Even when writing for contests or exercises I only participated when the provided prompt was of interest to me and I knew I could do something with it.
I can absolutely see why "Write what you know" results in writer's block, particularly with younger writers. How are you supposed to write what you know when you know so little at that stage of your life, or you've aged with limited academic, vocational, and personal experiences? I challenge writers to instead "write what interests and challenges you". I can all but guarantee if you do so you will experience far less obstacles to creativity, and you will expand your personal horizons in the process. I've learned so much by reaching beyond my comfort zone and am a better writer and person for doing so.
When I got home I immediately began assembling my ideas and writing the story, but after a few chapters I hit a wall in spite of knowing where I wanted the story to go. Adding to my inability to continue was the fact I was still working full time while experiencing increasing fatigue, to the point I was too tired to do anything when I got home. The book languished for years virtually untouched until my condition quickly worsened and I was forced to retire. With so much free time and a desperate need for a distraction from growing frustration and depression, I dusted off that novel and took another crack at it. Unfortunately I face the same issue: not being able to get past that spot that held me up for so many years.
It wasn't until I realized I was overwhelmed by the idea of writing a novel that I was able to overcome the obstacle. I dismissed the novel idea and decided to just write, and that whatever length the story ended up it would be the right length. Flash, short, novella, so be it. That simple shift opened the creative floodgates, allowing me to not only adjust and refine my story but write unencumbered by self-imposed minimums and daunting literary packages.
The words came, and continued. Ironically, by removing the word goal I ended up writing a 133,000-word first draft. My editor was just as shocked having expected a thin stack and instead receiving an entire ream of paper. Yes it was overblown and the published version is 40,000 words lighter (another lesson in efficiency and killing our darlings), but it completely altered my perspective of writing.
While the book was in the hands of my editor I decided to write another novel, both to prove the first wasn't a fluke and because I had an idea. Again I never considered word count and that novel topped out in the mid-40k range. It's light(ish) and fun.
I never experienced that kind of creative wall again. Sure I've had many moments where I found myself distracted and doing anything except writing, but I don't consider those moments to be writer's block. I realized very quickly it was my subconscious telling me I was on the wrong track, and by stepping away even for an extended period the solution always presented itself and the writing continued, and was better. That is why I do not subscribe to "Write every day" or "Write X words a day" and believe those concepts are the enemy of creativity. Had I pushed myself to meet such artificial goals my writing would be incoherent drivel, or non-existent in the case of my first book. Since I resumed writing, every word has been born of inspiration rather than obligation. Even when writing for contests or exercises I only participated when the provided prompt was of interest to me and I knew I could do something with it.
I can absolutely see why "Write what you know" results in writer's block, particularly with younger writers. How are you supposed to write what you know when you know so little at that stage of your life, or you've aged with limited academic, vocational, and personal experiences? I challenge writers to instead "write what interests and challenges you". I can all but guarantee if you do so you will experience far less obstacles to creativity, and you will expand your personal horizons in the process. I've learned so much by reaching beyond my comfort zone and am a better writer and person for doing so.