“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”
- Maya Angelou
Picture this scenario - you have a paper due. The deadline is in two weeks. You are familiar with the topic
and the main points to communicate. Yet when it’s time to start writing you sit there, staring at the blank screen.
It’s as if there is a disconnect between your mind and hands. You start to delay working on the project because you believe you have nothing valuable to write.
What’s going on? It sounds like you may be going through a bout of writer’s block!
A term first used in 1947 by Dr. Edmund Bergler, writer’s block has also been referred to as a suppression of
creativity, procrastination, and mental block.1
It may affect anybody, during any time of the writing process.
Interestingly enough, there appear to be countless theories as to why writer’s block exists. Some may say it
is due to a perfectionist mindset and/or a fear of failure, while others may insist it’s inhibited imagination or
the result of comparing themselves to other writers.
Fear not, for “the block” is more common than you may realize! You are in good company; from students
working on a school assignment to famous bestselling authors, nobody is immune. Some may believe
talking about it is bad luck and therefore prefer not discussing it, whereas others have spoken openly about
how it ended up being beneficial.
While working on my Young Minds Eye October blog I endured my own writer’s block. I was excited to start
my chosen piece and began my usual creative process. I had so many thoughts that I started panicking and
feeling overwhelmed. Then it spiraled into me questioning if I even wanted to continue with the topic. My
confidence was fading quickly.
Needless to say, I felt quite relieved when I woke up the next morning with a fresh perspective and realized I
was experiencing the B-word!
So how did I overcome it? My strategy mainly focused on keeping it simple. I looked back on what initially
motivated me - the topic. From there, my passion was reignited. Also, I was reminded of how much I enjoy
researching my subjects - I always enjoy learning something new. Taking some time to reflect helped me
relax and in turn, I was able to complete my blog.
Weathering my storm turned out to be a blessing in disguise. So, depending on your point of view, writer’s
block may be a gift or a curse...or perhaps a bit of both. In any case, if you find yourself experiencing it,
remember many others also have, and you got this.
Happy writing!
