Writer’s Block: Here’s Why You’ve Been Struggling To Write
In my job as a book editor and writing coach, I encounter a lot of writers who, as soon as writing gets tough, say “oh, I’ve got writer’s block”.
But what is writer’s block? What does it actually mean?
Writer’s block suggests that writing is a struggle and the words aren’t coming easily. This often leads to procrastination, a lack of motivation, and sometimes losing touch with your book altogether.
If that’s the case, why are you experiencing this and what can you do about it?
It’s easy to blame everything on writer’s block. It’s easy to excuse yourself when there is something you can label it as. But these blocks don’t just occur for no reason.
Investigate what’s holding you back. Try to understand why writing feels so hard.
It’s not as simple as “writer’s block”. There is a cause, and once you find it you can begin to work through it. Let’s investigate…
The causes of mental writing blocks
There are several influencing factors that could make writing hard:
Your day job is taking up too much of your mental capacity meaning you don’t feel able to express yourself creatively.
You’re going through personal trauma that is limiting your ability to feel creative.
Poor health and physical restrictions make it difficult to commit.
You struggle to find or make the time for writing around your busy schedule.
Your own sense of self doubt hinders your ability to create.
Any of these sound familiar? If that’s the case, you need to start looking inward and figuring out what you can do to overcome them. You could try:
Time-blocking writing sprints into your day so you can get a little bit done around your work schedule.
Taking the “pressure” off writing by journalling thoughts or exploring your planning — or even free writing an unplanned scene.
Finding your most productive and creative time of day and setting up a writing routine.
Talk through your struggles with other writers so you don’t bottle it all within yourself.
Hire a writing coach to help you stay accountable and motivated.
The causes of creative writing blocks
Unlike the inner-self mental barriers, creative blocks come from within the actual book. These could look like:
Not knowing your plot well enough and writing yourself into a corner.
Not having enough of a plot to sustain an entire novel.
Rushing the story and not properly fleshing it out.
Expanding the story until it’s too complex and tangled.
Feeling unable to see the forest for the trees and being overwhelmed by how to move forward.
If this is what’s holding you back, then pause your writing and try to peel back the layers to find the root of the issue. Try planning ahead, going back to where you might have written yourself into a corner, assessing the necessity of each scene and chapter, or getting critique partners to assess what you’ve got so far.
How to overcome mental and creative writing blocks
I see internal and external barriers hold writers back all the time. Thankfully, there are a few ways to manage this.
Take a break from writing. If life is hard, just take a massive step back and stop forcing yourself to write.
Read and stay inspired. Keep that creative well full to allow for inspiration.
Get a change of scenery. Write in a different location or even take a day trip somewhere to refresh your mind.
Plan your story and plot ahead to avoid holes.
Get feedback on your work to gain direction.
Find writing friends or work with a writing coach who can help you through these stumbling blocks.
Writing a book is hard work. There will always be peaks and troughs. Just remember, mental and creative blocks don’t make you a bad or incapable writer!
Motivation and inspiration can be fickle and we just need to ride those waves.
While I don’t believe in “writer’s block” as a term, I do 100% believe that there are things that make writing harder and can make creativity difficult. However, I also believe that those things can be overcome and worked through.
If you’re finding it difficult to make progress in your book, the perhaps it’s time to consider getting support. Stay motived and accountable by planning and drafting your book alongside me during the 16-Week Planning & Drafting Coaching. No more stopping and starting and letting your self-doubt hold you back!
