No matter how long you’ve been working at this thing called writing, you’re bound to experience writer’s block. You know, that horrible state of limbo you feel when your mind draws a blank staring at the screen because you can’t think of a single thing to write?
Writing blocks come in all shapes and sizes. In fact, the writing experts at ProWriting Aid (PWA) have identified nine different blocks that can delay, if not entirely derail, your writing progress.
Knowing what your blocks are can shed light on behavioral and thought patterns that interfere with your enjoyment of the creative process. Learning what they are is easier than you might think, thanks to a new self-assessment tool created by ProWriting Aid.
The self-assessment tool is a series of questions that ask how you would react in different scenarios. I found it easy to use and it took about seven minutes to complete. As I answered the questions, I could sense which issues affected me the most. Afterward, PWA sent me a link to my results, which were ranked in order of the highest impact to the lowest.
In reviewing my results, I was relieved to know that I had no blocks in the High range, so I didn’t have a block that truly paralyzed me. However, five other blocks fell in the Medium range, which means I have work to do to improve my relationship with my writing and be more productive. I was also surprised that what I thought was my biggest block (Perfectionism) wasn’t, but there were several others that ranked higher (Idea Chasing, Procrastination and Overthinking).
Below are the nine common blocks that were identified (in alphabetical order):
* The Idea Chasing Block – This block proved to be my biggest challenge. It occurs whenever shiny, new ideas show up to tempt you to follow their development rather than finish your current work-in-progress. The new ideas may be more fun and interesting to work with at the start, but die out when you lose interest. The result is usually a lot of unfinished manuscripts.
* The Logician Block – This block causes your analytical mind to overshadow your intuitive, emotional side. It shows up most when you’re focused on structure and technique. But when you need to brainstorm creative ideas or you’re drafting scenes and characters, the Logician can stymie creativity.
* The Overthinking Block – Similar to the Logician, this block is characterized by constant loops of analysis where you revisit the same ideas over and over to the point you can’t move forward on your manuscript. You tend to rewrite scenes multiple times and second-guess plotting decisions. (Guilty!) You get stuck because you keep thinking a better option is out there and you’re afraid of making a wrong move.
* The People Pleasing Block – Thankfully this was at the bottom of my results. With this block, your writing efforts are overshadowed by your desire to please other people. You tend to put more time and energy into helping others with their writing rather than focusing on your own progress. This is about losing your creative vision while catering to the demands and needs of others.
* The Perfectionism Block – This block is driven by a fear of being imperfect and it prevents you from taking creative risks. You never finish your manuscript because you obsess over every word and plotting detail, and you worry that any imperfection means your writing isn’t done yet. You can tell you’re in this block when you’re constantly fixing and tweaking the story.
* The Procrastination Block – Procrastination causes you to delay writing, especially the most difficult parts of your story. Rather than tackle those parts, you find other tasks to distract you, or you wait for inspiration to strike. This isn’t laziness, but sidestepping discomfort and uncertainty, such as revising the messy first draft or writing complex scenes.
However, getting involved in other tasks isn’t necessarily procrastination or avoidance if you use that time to think through a plot problem. Whenever a writer friend of mine feels stuck, she goes for a walk. Usually by the time she returns to her desk, she’s found a solution to her plotting problem.
In my experience, procrastination seems more a symptom of being blocked rather than a block in and of itself. Perhaps that category should be renamed as Distraction or Avoidance Block.
* The Rebellion Block – This block occurs when you’re driven to defy expectations to the point that your creativity is squashed. You tend to get stuck because you insist on doing things your way rather than follow established structures or formulas. You seek creative freedom at all costs. While there’s nothing wrong with setting yourself apart from other writers and finding your own voice, the Rebellion Block stymies your efforts to grow as a writer.
* The Validation Block – In this block, you’re focused on external rewards and the trappings of success. Think positive reviews, seeing your name in print and receiving accolades. The drive for external validation can overshadow your love for writing. Because you’re focused on success metrics, not the creative process, your progress can be stymied.
* The Victim Block – This block causes you to feel perpetually misunderstood. A single rejection or bad review can linger in your psyche for months, making you feel hopeless and despondent. You’re convinced that others can’t see your creative talent or appreciate your vision. So you learn not to share your work with others or you give up on writing altogether.
I can see how blocks show up at different points in the creative process. For example, the Logician is more likely to show up in the revision phase when you need to focus on structure and technique. Meanwhile, Idea Chasing may be more ideal at the initial drafting or brainstorming phase. Blocks are a problem when they appear at inappropriate times during your creative process.
Which issue blocks you from achieving your creative dream? Give the assessment a try. Find out for yourself which writing block stands in the way of your success.
The Regal Writer 