When Writer’s Block Feels Like the End of the World
As a writer, I’m a bit hesitant to admit this underlying fear I have whenever I complete a writing project, particularly one I feel very proud of. Depending on how long or short a writing project may be, it can take me from a few days to a few months to finish it, and I’d often still feel like what I wrote is not good enough to post or share on any writing platforms. Although, in my experience, I realized that the more effortful, time-consuming and even excruciating the writing process may feel, the results typically lead to an increase in confidence, to share my writing with the rest of the world. So, after several hours or days of revising and editing, I’d finally have something I can deem worthy enough to be seen by others. Occasionally, I’d even get comments from readers saying that they found my writing enjoyable, which should undoubtedly be an essential factor in improving one’s motivation to keep writing.
However, my overly critical mind is a force to be reckoned with. It has the tendency to overlook all the hard work I dedicate to my writing and focus on all the possible negative outcomes. Like what if no one is interested in what I wrote or what if several other, more talented writers have already touched a similar subject I attempted to write about, and I’m just wasting my time. Therefore, as the years progressed, I have developed this fear of writing. This fear that allows me to believe that — no matter how good or how proud I may feel about a particular writing piece — I’ll soon run out of things to say or interesting topics people would want to read about. I know it’s a rather irrational fear, but the idea of writer’s block and the inability to overcome it frightens me so, because without writing, I’d feel hopelessly incomplete.
For a huge part of my life, writing has been the only outlet where I felt comfortable enough to formerly and creatively express myself. It has given me a voice that had once been silenced by the noise and chaos of our modern world. And every time I am incapable of writing, due to harrowing writer’s block, I feel as though I am not experiencing life to its fullest. However, as I began taking my writing more seriously through the years, I was able to learn how to better control my fear of writing. The main step in helping me learn was deciding to take a beginning writer’s workshop. It not only helped me deal with any doubts I had over my writing, but it also paved the way for new ideas and inspiration I never would have found without the new set of skills I gained from taking the workshop.
For anyone else who wants to take their writing career seriously, I definitely recommend taking a writer’s workshop, especially if you are new to the writing world. They are easily accessible at practically any local college, and if you are like me, who doesn’t have the time to visit a campus, there are several schools who also offer online courses. The courses they offered at my local college only took the span of about six weeks; therefore, in a short amount of time, I not only learned new tools that helped me enhance my creative writing skills, but I also managed to take another workshop that was a beginner's guide to helping me get my work published, which is another course I recommend, if you want your writing to be seen by a bigger audience.
If there are still days where — no matter what you do — you can’t seem to get rid of that pesky writer’s block, here are some quick tips I would like to share that have really helped me see it through.
1. Read from your favorites
Most of the time, the reason why writer’s block occurs is because we’re stuck inside our own heads. Find new novels, stories or poetry from your favorite authors, in order to help you gain a new perspective on topics that you find interesting.
2. Find your voice
Over the years, I realized that the primary reason why my favorite authors have become my favorite was because of the tone of voice they chose to write in. I feel that the tone of the story truly enhances the experience for the readers, and I believe that once you find the tone of voice you want to write in, it’ll help you develop your own writing style and make future writing projects less scary or challenging to finish.
3. Practice using writing prompts
When you feel like you’re completely dried up and have nothing new or important to write about, I suggest that you take the time to practice your skills using a writing prompt. Websites, like Reedsy, provide daily writing prompts on several different types of genres to help you exercise your creative muscles and inspire new ideas for your next writing project.
4. Don’t force yourself to write
I know you’ve probably heard this from countless other writers, but it’s an important reminder. Sometimes, the best thing to do when you’re having trouble finding the right words is to put the pen or pencil down and find a fun distraction to help you relieve some of the tension and strain that comes from writer’s block. Forcing yourself to write can lead you to talk about topics that will allow your readers to stray away from the true message you are trying to send in your writing.
I hope that these simple tips can be of use to you, one day, as you travel through your journey of becoming a writer.
