Writer’s block – surely a writer’s
worst nightmare.
The blank piece of paper or the
white, spotless screen stares back at you, your fingers are poised, you stare
and the white expanse mocks you as your mind is as blank as the screen. Too
often I find myself researching a topic meticulously, mulling over the issues
and teasing out its implications while constantly putting off the actual
writing process. The blank page seems to create its own inertia. And sometimes
the ideas just freeze.
Is there any writer that hasn't experienced this? At least once?
My most vivid memory of writer’s
block was in the middle of Old Testament exam at Bible College. It had been a
stressful night with little sleep due to an unexpected midnight clash with
someone close and dear to me. Not now, I thought, I have an exam tomorrow. During
perusal time, I marked the questions I thought I had prepared the best, jotting
down some ideas and then on the first question I wrote too much – I knew I was
spending too much time, but I kept on writing twice as long as I should. When I
came to the second question my mind went blank though I knew the answer well.
No matter how much I bludgeoned, pleaded with it, my brain could come up with
nothing, zero, zip. The page stared back at me smugly and I began to panic. I sent
up a quick arrow prayer, took some deep breaths and swept that question aside
and went on to the next. Suddenly the ideas began to flow again and the white
emptiness was filled with my increasingly crazy handwriting.
Writer’s block – I confess that up
until 4 hours ago that was not what I was going to write about. From the time I
wrote Saints, Seekers and Sleepers in December last year, I fully intended to
write a follow on piece. I have done some research, made some notes, mulled
over ideas. I had a good idea and basic outline of what I wanted to write – but
travel, family commitments, study deadlines etc has made this a busy couple of months.
Last week I submitted my 3000 word major assignment (On Slaying Education Dragons) for the unit I’m studying
(phew) which left the weekly post due on Tuesday and this blog, due today. I
finished the post on Monday with time to spare, ready to tackle the blog on
Tuesday – only to wake up with a grade 8 migraine which was still pounding my
head and nauseating me this morning. The pain has begun to subside this evening
but my brain could not, would not think. As I tried to pull my thoughts
together, I prayed– Lord, please give me the words to type, the ideas to
explore – as I metaphorically speaking stared at a mind numbing blank page. Writer’s Block.
Why not write on Writer’s block?
So, God willing, I will write my
follow-on piece – but maybe in April when, hopefully, my mind is less in a migrainous
hang-over and in the meantime I have a few thoughts on what do when writer’s
block or its ugly twin, procrastination (aided and abetted by Facebook) rears
its sardonic head and stares you in the face. And I would love to hear of your
strategies too of how you deal with this blank faced monster.
Here are some of the strategies I
find helpful:
- Taking time to pray, giving the idea or concept to God, asking for inspiration and direction.
- Writing an outline with main topics and sub points and breaking down the task into smaller units – concentrating on a smaller achievable goal one step at a time.
- Starting to write without worrying too much what comes out or about getting a perfect introductory sentence or about being precisely on topic. I can go back and review, fine tune and trim later but I can’t edit a blank page.
- It may help me to stretch, take a break, relax, and go for a walk or to play some upbeat music.
- Do a short warm up writing exercise or (with my novels or longer pieces) reread what I have already written.
- If one section is giving me writers block, I can move to another section and come back to the one giving trouble later. (Hint – that’s what I’m doing at the moment.)
- Having a dedicated space to write in – I often write best when I get away from the house – with all the chores staring at me – and find a spot in cafe or library.
- Writing regularly and often.
- Nip the negative self-talk in the bud – and believe that I can do it.
So here we
are – with a page nicely filled. Just as with my Old Testament exam – I didn’t get
the best mark I’ve ever earned, but I more than passed. And this may not be the
most brilliant of posts but I have a hunch it is one that will resonate with
many of you. With some divine nudging and a little inspiration the writing
paralysis is overcome and Writer’s Block slinks away defeated.
What about
you – what works best for you?
Jeanette O'Hagan
Lives in Brisbane with her family, writes fantasy, blogs and other things.
