Writer’s block is a myth, here’s why

Three reasons why writer’s block is a myth

Writer’s block is a disease that runs rampant through the creative streets we all occupy. This disease encourages writers to create excuses for all the reasons they cannot write, rather than looking up the mountain and deciding what at the top is worth it.

Every writer at one point has felt those deafening moments inside our heads when the words and the so-called inspiration, leave us and we are left with nothing but… silence. Any writer that claims they haven’t experienced this, is simply taking you for a ride. This moment is crucial for a writer, it separates those who will forever be “thinking” of writing a novel and those of us who DO.

1. If it was easy, everyone would do it.

Writing is not easy. Writing is taxing and frustrating, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. It teaches patience in the most true way — with time. There is no secret method or how-to’s that can teach you how to craft a story with true depth and characters that force the reader to evaluate themselves, to look inward. No amount of magic or procrastination will ever teach you this. Do you want to know how to overcome writer’s block? Write.

2. You’re lazy.

Let me blunt. Writer’s block is not a moment of absence of your creativity, it’s your lack of determination. It’s an absence of true passion. If writer’s block plagues you and your writing habits, give up. Writer’s will write, that’s what we do. That’s what we will always do until the fire in our stomach burns out.

3. You’re afraid.

Writer’s are those of you who sit at your desk in your tiny apartment and write until the calluses on your fingers bleed. Those of you who write with passion and determination. These writers all know that fear of rejection. That unsettling feeling in your gut that rises into your heart and boils there, until you sit back down and write again. People who suffer from writer’s block may have that passion and drive but are simply afraid of failing. This fear is completely justified. Writer’s live in a constant state of rejection. My college professor once told me he submitted his story 186 times over three years before ever considered by a publisher. That is passion. That is a writer. That doesn’t mean you will have the same experience but what it does mean is that you should expect that failure. Prepare yourself for that feeling so when it sweeps over you, you can endure and sit back down at that desk and write. Understand, the life of a writer is one that is rarely met with fame and glory. Writer’s are not in the game alone, there are so many truly great communities out there for writers to collaborate and receive feedback. You just gotta find them.

If you recognize yourself in any of this rambling, you have two options. Change or give up.