Reasons For Writer’s Block

Many writers suffer from writer’s block from time to time. One of the best ways to push past it is to know why you have writer’s block.

Plotting: Some writers have problems with writer’s block when they’re subconsciously plotting their novel. This is especially true with seat of the pants writers, writers who don’t preplan their novels. One of the best ways to solve this kind of writer’s block is to do something else. Exercise, take a walk, or work at your favorite hobby. Before long, the pieces will come together.

Plotting Roadblocks: Sometimes a writer will come up against a roadblock while writing. Many times, he’ll feel as if he’s boxed his plot into a corner or that he needs something to happen to wratch up the conflict. When the plotting roadblocks cause writer’s block, the mind mapping technique can break through those roadblocks. Here’s a link to learn how mind mapping works. This link is to free mind mapping software.

Emotional Roadblocks: A writer needs to connect emotionally with her characters. When she doesn’t do that, writer’s block can result. If you suffer from emotional roadblocks, spend some time tapping into the emotions of the characters. One way to do this is to play music in the background that illicits the right emotion.

I’ve Got Nothing: When a writer sits and stares at a blank sheet of paper or a blank computer screen and draws a blank, it may be time to pull out some writing prompts. Here’s a link to help with this.

Perfectionism: Wanting what we write to be perfect can kill our inspiration and cause writer’s block. Every first draft is garbage. Don’t sweat it. Just write it. You can fix it during the editing process.

Butt Not On Chair: While we writers love to use excuses as to why we’re not writing, the biggest reason is not writer’s block. It’s because we haven’t planted out butts in the chair until we’ve written something coherent. For this problem, I recommend having a daily word count. Don’t stop writing until you reach that count. If that doesn’t work, there’s always butt glue.