What is Writer’s Block

Writer’s block is a common phenomenon in which someone attempting to write cannot write or cannot produce quality writing. This is a common problem for many people, from professional authors working on their thirtieth novel to students working on their first essay. But what is writer’s block, what causes it and how can it be stopped?

Writer’s block was first described by the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge in the nineteenth century who described it as an “indescribable terror.” Many writers of the day agreed with him and related to his plight. It was not long before the phenomenon came under the eye of psychology, and, although they did not understand it at first, they stumbled onto the correct answer. That answer being that therapy can help fix writer’s block. 

Writer’s block is caused by a multitude of reasons, but the most common ones are stress and perfectionism. If a writer is stressed they can struggle to come up with new ideas or quality ideas because they are so distracted and exhausted. Perfectionism is a good defense against lackluster work, but perfectionism taken too far can stop a writer from writing anything at all because they believe it is not good enough. 

There are many ways to help stop writer’s block. They mostly include ways to de-stress and mix things up, such as a change of environment, going for a walk, accomplishing a different task or taking a break. 

For writers struggling with perfectionism, the best way to get past this hurdle is to remember that what they are writing is just a draft and not the finished product yet. The thought that there will be plenty of time to go back and revise their work, but they have to write something first in order to do that, can be motivating for stressed writers. 

Exercise has also been shown to help since it lowers stress levels, as well as increases imagination, meaning that it might also help those struggling with writer’s block. This is because it increases levels of chemicals in the brain that aid in the creative process. 

Although writer’s block is a struggle for many writers, it is not the big bad monster it is made out to be. Many psychologists believe writer’s block does not actually exist and it is just the exaggeration of a simple discipline dilemma. Simply believing that writer’s block is an impossible obstacle can be what is stopping many writers from writing because they are psyching themselves out. 

American Psychological Association quotes Paul Silvia, PhD as saying, ”People can overthink themselves into deep dark corners, and writer’s block is a good example of that.” 

So the best way to overcome writer’s block is to understand that it is a common and easily overcome obstacle that can be fixed with a simple change of mindset or by simply relaxing.