Writing Exercise #12

How Do I Experience Writer’s Block?

This exercise relates directly to my Blogs ~ Writer’s Block – Part A (posted today) and Writer’s Block – Part B . To enhance the benefits of this exercise, read Writer’s Block – Part A before proceeding.

Writer’s Block appears to plague all writers at some stage of their writing life. It can strike anytime and without warning, and while it is an insidious phenomenon it is not insurmountable.

The best way to minimise its impact on your work is to be prepared for it with an appropriate strategy to halt it where possible and eradicate it when it can’t be avoided. You will find possible strategies in my Writer’s Block Blog Series, mentioned above.

In order to utilise this information to best advantage, it is a good idea to first explore how Writer’s Block touches you and your work. This exercise will take you on that journey.

Ask yourself the following questions and write as much detail as you can in answer to each one ~

  • Are there times that I want to write, but don’t?
  • If so, why does that happen?
  • What is it that stops me from picking up a pen or bashing away on the computer keyboard?
  • Do I have a writing-friendly space for your writing? (See Blog ~ Writing-Friendly Spaces)
  • Is/are the reason/reasons to do with the mechanics of what I am writing – the storyline, the point-of-view, my writing style, the characters, or similar?
  • Do I have a time problem? Too many other commitments taking my attention?
  • Is my writing pause caused by my response to another person’s attitude to my writing?
  • Does my own attitude get in the way? Or my fears?

These questions are designed to get you thinking about Writer’s Block, whether or not it lurks between you and your computer, and how and why it manifests. Add more questions yourself if they come to you, and keep exploring until you feel you’ve fully clarified your relationship with Writer’s Block.

This is not about finding excuses for when you’re not producing work, but rather to put the mystery of Writer’s Block into perspective and identify what really happens so it can be dealt with productively.

Visit Writer’s Block – Part B to continue this exploration.

 

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