What exactly am I talking about?

Constant rejections?

Inability to procure the services of an agent and/or publisher?

All of those certainly seem impenetrable, indeed, but I’m talking about that demon that stalks all us writers at one time or another–writer’s block.

What is Writer’s Block?

The dictionary says, “The condition of being unable to think of what to write or how to proceed with writing.” Pretty much sums it up, but a writer would say, “The horror of staring at a blank page or screen and not finding any words to fill it.” Accompanied by much gnashing of teeth and tearing of clothes and perhaps a bit of whiskey.

I’ve been very productive in my writing life since I retired from Uncle Sam to write for myself full-time. Many of my published works I began during my day job, and they remained unfinished until I had the time to focus on them and them alone. My day job was a writer’s block in a way because I knew I had to focus on it in order to have the retirement that would allow me to write for me. I never could have been as productive as I’ve been the past 15 years if I would have had to have a job to supplement my retirement. (Yes, my former young coworkers, that’s why I stayed in the government for 30 years: I had a good retirement plan.)

Because I now associate mostly with other writers, I’ve heard many others lament how writer’s block affects them. Some occasionally, some close to permanently. And I do have it myself now and in the past.

After the deaths of my parents two years apart in the 1980s and my brother nearly 20 years later, grief was my writer’s block, but as with anything associated with grieving, you slowly work your way back. However, particularly after the death of my father, it was close to two years before I wrote any of my stories again. Even the day job noticed I wasn’t as quick on the draw as I had been. I’m glad I had understanding bosses.

I compartmentalized the grief, yes, but I also ended up using it in my writing, as a way to deal with negative emotions. That, however, is a drastic form of ending writer’s block, and I don’t recommend it.

Overcoming Writer’s Block

I’m lucky that I have several projects at various stages of development. If I’m stuck on one, I can switch to another. If I’m stuck on a novel, I’ll draft a short story–a good reason to carry a notebook and pen everywhere.

That’s my way, but here are some universally recognized ways to break through writer block’s impenetrable wall:

1. Writing prompts. However you generate them or find them, they help to clear your mind of whatever is stopping you from writing. I use Rory’s Story Cubes, a collection of dice with illustrations on each of the sides. The dice come in sets–fantasy, science fiction, and so on. I even have a Doctor Who set. There are a number of websites like Writing.com that will send you daily prompts. (Writing.com also has an app that will generate writing prompts.) However you obtain a prompt, they are excellent ways to free up your brain.
2. You could also try freewriting exercises. Start by setting a timer, then write whatever comes into your head. Don’t judge, don’t edit, don’t even try to write a coherent story. Write whatever words come to you. Writing is using your imagination, and writer’s block doesn’t eliminate that but rather, stifles it. Freewriting actually taps into your subconscious, bringing what’s there to the forefront. That can be beyond interesting at times. Journaling is a form of freewriting and can also help with any blocks.
3. Find inspiration in something other than writing: art, music, nature, whatever touches you deeply. Depending on what I’m writing, I listen to music. Sometimes it has to be classical, sometimes Irish, and sometimes heavy metal. A few years ago, a classical pianist playing “Liebestod” from the opera Tristan und Isolde inspired me to write an entire novel. (Love Death, which you can find HERE.)
4. Write somewhere other than your office, writing cave, etc. I’ve talked about coffeeshop writing before. Pre-pandemic, I did it a couple of times a week. Have headphones or AirPods with you, and you can hit two birds with one stone: get inspired by music and have a change of scenery. Also, writing in a public place like a coffeeshop gives you people to observe, which can inspire characters, and snippets of conversation that can inspire you as well.

Most of all, remember that writer’s block is temporary, an impermanent obstacle. Whenever you feel yourself blocked, try one of the techniques above. Each of them has worked for me at one time or another, but you may find something totally different to break the impenetrable wall. The key is to be open to inspiration from anywhere.