Have you ever, for one of those moments, just sat staring at a blank page?
You know, that frustrating feeling when the words just won't come?
We've all surely been there, especially for all those on Hive. But now, I want to issue a very provocative idea:
what if writer's block doesn't exist?
Think about it, usually it's the pressure to create something great that makes us freeze up. It's perfectionism now that becomes the No. 1 enemy, standing in our way to put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard.
Instead of all-or-nothing, why not embrace imperfection in writing?
Take a step first by allowing yourself to write terribly. It's counterintuitive, yet it worked for me in these few days I have been out of Hive due to "writer's block". When you no longer need every sentence to be brilliant, the creativity will flow.
This is an approach, not a lowering of standards.
Great writing occurs with revision and refinement. The first draft is to get the ideas out. You cannot improve upon something that does not exist, so you focuse on creating raw material to work with.
Think of any other professional at work. A chef wouldn't think that one dish would turn out perfectly the first time it was made, and not taste it to make improvements to the next dish made. Writing is no different. Every draft you write gets you closer to the best work.
Persistence is key.
Hours may well go by with minimal word output. Set yourself a word count goal and push through. You can write anything of consciousness, random thoughts, even nonsense. Oftentimes, the act of writing jumpstarts your creativity. Before you know it, you'll hit upon an idea worth delving into.
Keep in mind that the more one writes, the easier writing gets. Even professional authors experience days when words are not pouring out as well as they'd like.
The difference? They keep going anyhow.
The next time you are feeling "blocked," reframe. Instead of I can't write, try I can't write perfectly right now. Then permit yourself to write poorly. You may be surprised at what comes out when you take the pressure off.
Do not let the apprehension of imperfection hamstring your progress. Be ready for the mess, the chaos that is the creative process.
Write without judgment, edit without mercy.
This sometimes is a well-used tool to help us get through perceived blocks and often results in writing that is more authentic and engaging.
It is so simple, the cure for writer's block is to write. Write everything, write about everything, fill pages with your thoughts, no matter how unprocessed, as I'm doing in today's blog. In doing this, you will realize that what was felt to be a block was never about incompetence, it was an unrealistic expectation.
So challenge yourself.
For instance, write so many words, irrespective of the quality. Get over that uncomfortable feeling in the pit of your stomach when creating something not so perfect. Once you get started, ideas will probably be more forthcoming.
As with any skill, writing can only become better with consistent time and effort given to its practice. It's not a question of waiting until your muse strikes. It's about showing up to the page and putting words down. Some days will be better than others, but each writing session moves you forward.
You empower yourself, in a way, by not accepting writer's block. Instead of waiting around for that elusive inspiration, you take hold of your creative process. Such a shift in thinking might turn your perspective on writing around completely and writing will no longer be a chore, but possibly an enjoyable one. As I said before, never forget that even your favorite authors have written pieces that are not that good. The only difference is that they didn't let those poorly written pieces hold them back, instead, they used them as stepping stones toward better writing.
Therefore, next time we find ourself stuck, let's not wait for the perfect words.