Writer’s block isn’t real

Don’t let the illusion cause a missed opportunity for a really good story.

I know it’s cliche, but I feel without this preface, I might not be able to make my case. So to begin, here is the Webster Dictionary’s definition of writer’s block:

“A psychological inhibition preventing a writer from proceeding with a piece”

There’s free writing, and then there’s the actual writing. Writing that requires thought, research, format, and direction. That kind of writing is meant to be hard. Naturally, it may cause us to pause, question, and think about our content. Taking the time to pause causes us to think we have hit a block. It’s like doing a test without expecting to stop and analyze your answer. Or going for a run without stopping for water or to catch a breath.

The illusion of writer’s block makes us think now we have some deep-rooted issue to fix. What it simply means is we are working on a harder piece that requires more effort and thought. There is no block, just more work. Good writing is hard work.

I’ve been seeing this trend all over Medium, where writers write every day, and that’s how they claim to build their audience. Hence, I’ve been pressured to do the same. That’s why today I whined all day because I kept getting stuck on a piece I was writing and diagnosing myself with writer’s block. And this is how I came to this realization.

The benefit of writing every day is to create a habit. So when you feel uninspired or ‘blocked,’ you have the discipline to keep going. I believe this is what those articles are encouraging us to do.

As much as I’d love my stories to be perfect, I understand that Medium is more than just a writing platform. It is also a social media platform for writers. This means some days, I post well-curated and researched articles, and other days I post a personal piece that may connect with others.

This piece took me less than an hour to write. I did it while my six-month-old was sleeping on me on my handy iPhone. Fun fact: that’s how I get most of my writing done because it’s the only time there is complete silence in our household. However, I currently have four stories in progress waiting to see its day on Medium. Four pieces require more time and reflection.

Take a break if your brain feels overwhelmed, or your eyes are starting to play tricks on you. Then go back to revise and continue your work.

But,

Don’t stop. Don’t abandon it.

Just keep writing.

Hope this piece helped you as much as it did me today. Happy writing, my fellow writers!