Writers are among the most talented and most creative people on Earth. To be able to do their job and to keep doing it continually requires one to have a wide range of imaginations, a great sense of originality and an almost never-tiring heart for it.
Content writers, creative writers and other types that lean on writing interesting, entertaining and informative content from scratch can definitely relate. Their profession is beyond readily available formulas and fixed answers. All their outputs are born from the collective effort of their head, their heart and their soul. That is one of the major reasons why professional writing is actually difficult work; let’s not sugarcoat it anymore. Although a person could be passionate about writing, having it as an occupation is not at all times easy. That is especially true as one comes up against the writer’s block.
The writer’s block is every writer’s big problem. It does not constantly exist; it just arrives at some points in life, but when it does, it really makes writing a very, very hard thing to do. As its name implies, it’s a block, an enormous and terrible blockage for that matter, that hinders writers from writing as they need and please. It’s no joke. This is one of the stressful moments in a writer’s life.
If you are a writer or maybe will be pursuing a writing career in the future, as part of a creative agency or as an independent writer, this list can help you. Here are 8 possible reasons why you’re experiencing writer’s block.
1 – Lack of ideas
This is a signifier of possessing the writer’s block, and it is also a cause: Lack of ideas. You do not have enough ideas and thoughts that are necessary to what you are going to write. You could not think sharply this time, and sometimes, it’s just that and no other elaboration needed. Worse, you don’t have any idea at all. This could happen. This is one of the roots of the writer’s block.
2 – Overflow of ideas
On the other hand, an overflow of ideas might also lead to having the writer’s block. Because you have so many thoughts, there’s a tendency for you to get overwhelmed, not knowing exactly how and where to start. So many ideas can cause a mess inside your head. This can confuse you and give you a hard time too.
When a pipe gets clogged with water, dirt and other elements, it cannot function properly. That’s how a flood of ideas works in relation to having the writer’s block.
3 – Long time no write
There’s a momentum you have to catch and later on, to maintain when you are a writer. A long time spent without writing can lead to having writer’s block. Because it’s been a while, it might feel strange, or you might not have enough enthusiasm to get back on track. Taking a break from working is totally fine and necessary, but be a little careful if your profession is writing because you might find it hard to feel wanting to write again.
4 – Non-stop writing
Contrastingly, too much writing or non-stop writing can also result in obtaining writer’s block. When the brain cannot rest, gets overused and ends up exhausted, it may not cooperate later on. That’s why relaxation and days off are very important.
5 – Fading passion
Without passion for writing, it’s difficult to become and to stay as a writer. The writer’s block could be a by-product of declining passion. This could make you feel like you are not liking whatever you write. You don’t get satisfied with your work, that sometimes, you stop in the middle and scratch out what you already have. There’s no excitement for you. You have lost your verve to write.
6 – Burnout in one or more aspects
You could be wrestling with the writer’s block because you are experiencing burnout. When the inside of you gets tired, and a lot of hardships are coming your way, you could reach your limits. Your physical body does not have the zest to be active and to do what you always happily do. Your mind is so occupied and stressed out. A rollercoaster of emotions confronts you, and riding it are mostly negative and profound emotions. As all these gather, you may experience the writer’s block, which comes out of extreme fatigue and strain. Add to that your frustration for not being able to be at your best at the moment.
7 – Tons of distractions
One source of the writer’s block that can actually be avoided is the presence of distractions. Social media is number one. Others include laziness, procrastination and peer pressure. There are countless diversions around, which can snatch your focus and exuberance. But remember that they will only have power over you if you bite into the temptation of allowing them to distract you.
8 – Perfectionism
Writers must be good proofreaders. There are times though when writers cannot avoid being perfectionists; in such instances, the more they proofread their work, the more they want to improve it and make it the best of the bests. What happens is they spend too much time in just a single piece, when in fact, they could have done so much more in that given time.
Perfectionism can cause the writer’s block because you keep on thinking, thinking and thinking how to make every piece flawless, as in 100% flawless. This can lead to a back-breaking pressure on yourself, which can again lead to getting stuck where you shouldn’t be.
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BEHIND THE BLOCK
Just as any human gets drained and lacks motivation sometimes, writers are also not always driven to do what they have to do. Especially because their job involves one’s emotions, which play an important part in how people communicate, it gets affected when the writer’s energy is down and inspiration cannot be found. It may sometimes feel like “hatred” towards writing, but it’s not.
The writer’s block is certainly a tough boulder that obstructs writers’ productivity. It is important to know the causes behind it in order to prevent them or at least prepare yourself for them. When you know the roots of the writer’s block you are struggling with, you can clearly find ways to face and overcome it.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Nicole Ann Pore is a writer, an events host and a voice over artist. Quality and well-researched writing is her worthwhile avenue to enlighten and delight others about things that matter. She is a daytime writer for Orion Creative, a digital agency and design studio in Sydney, building greater possibilities for brands and businesses of all sorts. Nicole graduated Cum Laude from De La Salle University Manila, Philippines with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts.
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