This is one possible cure. But there’s a preferable one below.
Tips for Writers
There are two definitions for “block”: 1) an obstacle to be avoided; 2) a material to be used (as in construction). The cure for Writers Block (and its evil twin Trouble Getting Started) is to abandon #1 and embrace #2. But before we can do that, we need to understand what writer’s block is and is not:
It’s not about being unable to write. Professional writers–who do not have the luxury of waiting for inspiration–know that being unable to write (short of a serious medical condition such as a coma*) doesn’t really happen. Why? Because writing is simply putting thoughts into words, and if you have thoughts, you can write. The real fear is being unable to write well, which amounts to the fear of not being able to write a great first draft.
Writers who believe in great first drafts are like romantics who believe in love at first sight. But if you ask people who’ve known enduring love, most will tell you their relationships grew into something wonderful. First drafts, like first dates, often begin awkwardly and then evolve through repeated exchanges of thoughts and feelings. That’s why one of the most fundamental sayings about writing is:
“Great stories (essays, plays, etc.) aren’t written, they’re re-written.”
True, writing-under-the-influence of a muse can sometimes produce stunning results. On the other hand, so can writing-while-not-under-the-influence. Woody Allen, one of the most successful screenwriters of all time, has said he demands only one thing of himself: to write for four hours a day. He doesn’t require himself to write well, because he knows he can’t plan on that. Furthermore, he’s observed zero correlation between inspiration and success. He’s written flops while feeling inspired, and some of his most enduring works while experiencing writer’s block.
How to use writer’s blocks to construct something:
First, write crap! Uninspired writing can be the “plumber’s snake” that clears your pipes, allowing better writing to flow. That first hour of bad writing is often responsible for the better writing that follows. Similarly, writing what doesn’t work is often the key to figuring out what does: “No, no, she can’t do that because then he’ll know she has a gun….but wait…what if she hides the gun?!”
Second, write from the left. When the right (artist) side of your brain isn’t cooperating, use the left (technician) side. Outline your story using tried-and-true formulas; and your right brain will eventually shape them into something original. Don’t have an idea? Steal one, and then reverse it: “What if, instead of being about a selfish man, A Christmas Carol were about a kind and selfless man?” Result: It’s a Wonderful Life. Or use your left brain to figure out who you can base your characters on. Then write bios, noting mannerisms and speech patterns. Disciplined R & D You can lay the groundwork that Disorderly Artist You will use when she or he shows up late, smelling suspiciously of herbs.
There’s no such thing as “pure art.” All artists are also technicians. If they weren’t, their work would be incomprehensible. Remember Edison’s famous “10% inspiration, 90% perspiration” line? Well, it applies to writers, too. And, anyway, the wall between the two isn’t made of stone, it’s made of jelly. Artists spend most of their time oozing back and forth between the two sides of their brain. So lace up your literary Nikes and “Just do it!”
Don’t stumble over writer’s blocks, use them! And you’ll build something that will—eventually—be wonderful!
*Not be mistaken for a comma, a somewhat less serious condition that, can, nevertheless, worsen, if, used, inc,orre,ctly,,,
Good advice, thank you, Mitch! (I hope I got my commas right!)
;>)
Nice title with that photo…that would be the last cure
I relate to how Woody Alan “observed zero correlation between inspiration and success.”
Some of my material I think is brilliant and creative turns out to be a dud, while something else I wrote, but didn’t put much stake in, really resonates with readers.
Is it literary Alpo or Escargot? Time and rewrites will tell.
I totally wrote a poem about this entitled “The One They Instantly Forgot” 🤣
Great tips for writer’s block Mitch. 🙂
I’ve also “observed zero correlation between inspiration and success.” Thanks for this post – good encouragement to keep working!
So true! Some of what seemed to me like my most awkward lines have come back to me in grateful comments…
Very good 😊
Thank you.
I find this post very timely, Mitch. I recently started writing a novel. I was doing great until the beginning of chapter 1 when writer’s block stepped in. I went ahead and wrote a bad chapter 1 that I know I have to go back and fix. I went ahead and wrote a bad chapter 1 that I know I have to go back and fix. Thanks for the help.
You go, brother!
Mitch, this is very helpful! And li,ve,ly!!
;>)
Thanks for the great advice, have a blessed weekend 🪻
I love Ursula K. LeGuin’s quote: “If you want to be a writer, write!” A year of putting down a thousand words a day completely transformed my abilities when I was getting back into the craft after a twenty year hiatus…
Yes! “Write” is definitely the #1 piece of advice for writers, Ana. No amount of studying or seminars can teach us as much as the slow, onion-peeling process of learning-by-doing.
Very well said 👌
Thanks for your like of my post, “Christ And Pre-Kingdom Jews – Pt 15;” you are very kind.
I go through it weekly. Yes, I do write without much thought of proper punctuations and such, I just type away, bleeding on the keyboard of my poor overworked laptop. Gotta go, I need to change my bandages.
;>)
antique works upload ’93
Writing crap as therapy for writer’s block reminds me of a quote (often misattributed to Hemingway): Write drunk. Edit sober.
Yes. I love that quote, MC.
It is wise to write about the situation but unwise to badmouth in writing
Great advice! Thank you, Mitch.
My pleasure, Iman.
Sir, your creations are wonderful and priceless.
I’m so glad you find them useful, Devendr.
Great post! Talk about an illustration that pulls you in, though!
This is solid advice. 💯
And something I needed to hear. Thanks Mitch!
Lovely, timely reminder. So true. Thank you.
Amen!
Love this! Some good advice here. ‘jelly walls’😄 I like that😃 preferable to the other 🤣
;>)
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Thanks, that’s for me
One of he best subject explorations I’ve read to date.
So glad you found it helpful, SP.
Great advice, Mitch! And I always love the bit of humor that accompanies the advice! 😊
Great tips, good advice.. thanks a bunch.. 🙏🏼😇👏🏼👏🏼👌🏼👌🏼
My pleasure, Debby.
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I love this, “the walls between them are jelly” 😉
Amazing post. I have been writing for about 2.5 years. I started writing as a hobby. Then started finding curious about all the writing techniques. Initially I did not find content ideas but now I don’t face that problem.
It’s because I have started writing on the experiences that I have lived instead of a new topic.
Great. Write on, Susan!
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