Writer’s Block…is it or isn’t it? For many years now we, as writers, have been wrestling with the concept of writer’s block. Is it a “thing” or is it an excuse? I vote an excuse and here is why. Writer’s Block is, by definition the “lack of being able to write for no determined reason”… it’s simply avoidance with a name.
I get writer’s block all the time. I sit down at my desk and I check Facebook, emails, text messages, I feed the dog, pet the dog, let the dog out, I call a friend, or my mom, I clean my desk…I could go on but I think you get the picture. Writer’s block for me is simply avoiding writing. The fact that I can call it “writer’s block” is kind of cool because there is some validation in it having a name; that, after all, makes it sort of a condition…not just me being lazy.
Writing is hard. Sitting down and focusing when our hearts aren’t always in it can be defeating and we all experience it. Calling it “writer’s block” doesn’t make it better to have, in fact, I think that makes it worse because we are telling ourselves that it is okay to avoid writing…it’s not.
So call it what it is….avoidance and move on. The only way that your work is going to get published is if you actually do it. You have to put your butt in the chair and your fingers on the keyboard…simple. Stop making excuses by giving your laziness a name. Now go write!
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