Writer’s Block

“A writer is a person for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people” Thomas Mann (1875 - 1955)

“Writing is easy. All you have to do is to stare at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead.” Gene Fowler

“If a young writer can refrain from writing, he [sic] shouldn’t hesitate to do so. Andre Gide (1869 - 1951)

Source: Boice, Robert. "Cognitive Components of Blocking."

The Big MythPeople with writer’s block are just lazy.

A study of 40 blockers produced 7 cognitive components of blocking:

Work apprehension: writing perceived as an overwhelming task Procrastination: use any excuse to justify avoiding or delaying

work Restlessness or general dissatisfaction: includes burnout,

anxiety, panic, or groundless worries Impatience: want to achieve more in less time, concern with

unnecessary deadlines and expectations of impressing authority figure over competitor

Perfectionism: persistent “internal critic who allows no mistakes or imperfections.”

Evaluation Anxiety: fear disapproval and rejection of reader Rules: have applied unreasonable myths or rules to writing like

good writers create perfect text spontaneously while highly inspired.

Symptoms

• Continually postpone assignments

• Cannot write anything at all

• Continuous worry about assignment

• Feel apprehensive and pessimistic about assignment

• Frequently start and delete work or change topics several times

Strategies for Unblocking• Get support: friend, WP tutor, teacher, classmate, someone you trust

• Identify your strengths: explain things well, see connections, listen well, have strong opinions, know how to get people’s interest, are critical of what you read

• Accept that writing is a complex process; that things don’t just “flow” from a well of creativity

• Re-read the assignment or publication guidelines

• Start writing anywhere: You don’t have to begin with the introduction. Begin where you have words to begin.

• Set realistic goals early in the assignment: set goals that are reachable

• Don’t edit as you write: just write; edit later

More Strategies• Think of yourself as a developing writer (not a writer who must

be perfect)

• Celebrate your successes: pat yourself on the back for a finished page, a completed outline, a well-crafted sentence, an intuitive connection, a newly discovered source. Reward yourself.

• Try new techniques when you are blocked: talk your paper out loud to a support person, try an informal outline, brainstorm for 10 minutes, freewrite for 30 minutes, cut your paper in strips and re-organize, make one small goal (e.g., I will write one paragraph; I will read one source, I will write the introduction, I will find one additional point) to get yourself moving

• Give yourself a short, short vacation by yourself: go for a walk, exercise, have a cup of tea (or whatever), draw a picture, listen to music, meditate—clear your mind so you can focus when you return to your paper.

Prewriting Techniques for Unblocking

• Freewriting

• Brainstorming

• Mapping/Clustering/Charting

• Combination

Freewriting

• If you don’t have an idea for a topic,– Write freely without constraint or direction for

a strictly limited time (10-20 minutes).

• If you have an idea for a topic,– Write freely as much as you can think of

about your topic.

• If you have more than one idea for a topic,– Write freely for each.

Brainstorming (or listing)

• Write a list of topics or idea or words associated with a topic

• Strictly limit time; 10 minutes is reasonable• Write everything into your list, no matter how

outlandish it may seem• When time is up, examine list. Cross out ideas

that won’t work until you have a few core ideas.• If necessary, list again to find a better or more

focused idea. This time for only 5 minutes.

Mapping (or clustering)

Health care

cancer

diabetes

Insurance

cost

poverty

Hiv/aids

Universal health care

education

drugscost

availability

HMO’s

diagnosis

coverage

Rising co-pays experimental

FDA rules

Africa

Combination

Listing• Health care• Death Penalty• Synchronized Swimming• Developmental learning• Grocery cost• Agricultural additives• Marriage penalty• Blogging among males• HIV/AIDS• Drugs• Black Market

Health care

HIV/AIDS

Drugs

Educationteens

Public

Insurance

Cost

Final Advice

Make a plan!– Draw up a rough outline and change and

refine as needed– Make a plan for your writing process. – Choose small goals and set reasonable

dates.– Use the Library's Assignment Calculator.– Go to the Write Place to get assistance with

planning your writing process.