The Source of Writer's Block and An Exercise to Beat It
Posted: June 27, 2017
It's very likely that anyone who writes for a living has experienced writer's block at least once in their career. Do you know the real source of writer's block? It's not just a little annoyance that happens from time to time - there is actually a logical reason behind it. Discover the real source of writer's block and try this exercise to overcome it when it hits.
Rae Elliott, writer for The Write Life, shares what writer's block is and how to overcome it.
Do you remember how easy it was to tell a story when you were a kid?
All you had to do was pick up two mismatched socks (at least mine were anyway) and create a simple, silly narrative around Mr. and Mrs. Stripey-Sock.
And back in those days, you always had an audience sitting on the edge of their seats.
That’s right: good old mom and dad believed you were a best-selling novelist even at age five. In fact, my parents would
still give me a standing ovation at 27 even if I used Mr. and Mrs. Stripey-Sock to this day, bless their hearts.
So, what changed? Your audience expanded beyond easy-to-please mom and dad. Your less forgiving, more intimidating audience feasted for a story far more satisfying than the romantic comedy ‘unfolding’ in the laundry room.
That pressure caused you to scrutinize every word you wrote. And eventually, writing stories became
complicated.
Writers must experience growth, so ditching the simple “pair of socks” narrative is good for your craft. But should you
completely abandon your childish impulses when it comes to storytelling? How can saving one specific childish impulse keep writer’s block at bay?
Read the entire article
The Real Source of Writer’s Block (And an Exercise to Beat It) on
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