The curse of the creative. A writer’s nightmare manifest. The dreaded writer’s block. Experienced by all yet not vastly understood. Too much smoke obscures this invisible villain, and I beg it’s time to finally blow it all away. For a while, I have been analysing the mysterious phenomenon, and now, I believe I can finally say there is a way to overcome it all by understanding why it became.
I’d immersed myself deeply in topics from which I thought I could dig the golden answer. From self-development to psychology to philosophy and sociology, many years were spent learning and reflecting back on my own writing experiences until my shovel finally hit something.
The reality was there is no golden answer, but rather, four, and they are all within the writer. So, upon request, I’ll be explaining the breakdown in a series so as to understand the mystery clearly. In short, writer’s block doesn’t exist. We are actually blinded by our lack of understanding of what is really occurring that it creates an illusion. But once the mist is gone and the strings are revealed, I promise, there won’t be an individual alive who will have to succumb to it again.
You see, the block will typically arise from one, or multiple, of these areas relating to the individual:
Mindset
Motivation
Creativity
Focus
The list almost seems too easy, too obvious to be anything close to groundbreaking. Good. That is exactly what I would love everyone to think.
In this piece, I will be focusing on the first: Mindset. So, allow me to begin . . .
Understand Thyself
When suffering with writer’s block, the initial investigation should begin with the individual’s mindset. Often, there are limiting beliefs that are holding them back from achieving all they want. If the writer does not believe they can can write an entire book, for example, then they won't be able to. The brain can only thrive with possibility, so when inability or doubt is presented, it becomes overwhelmed and gives up. Before taking on new challenges, one must reconfigure their limiting beliefs. Otherwise, they simply will not have the strength to persevere.
So, to begin, one must reflect and ask themselves questions, such as:
“What are my beliefs about being a successful writer?”
“What are my beliefs about the process of writing itself?”
“Do I hold any misbeliefs or pessimistic views?”
The simple inquiry allows for the mind to wander over possible answers, and with enough investigation, often reveals the root cause quite quickly. Once found, there are many ways the individual can remedy these beliefs, which is commonly an individualised process. This is a time for self-nourishment, meditation, cleaning, and resetting.
You see, nurturing a mindset is like fertilising a garden; it is extremely necessary for beauty and growth. However, after the growth, it is most important to remember there is always trimming, maintaining, and sculpting, and one must equip themselves with the necessary tools to maintain it.
The Enemy Within
The mind is a garden of possibility. Without tending, flowers of thought cannot blossom, and fruits of creativity cannot grow. Although, the garden is quite large, as the mind is a vast space: incredible to imagine with, build worlds with, yet easy to get lost in. And when lost, the creative is found in a vulnerable place by whatever once was hidden in the shadows, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.
Here lies the snake, wishing for chaos and the downfall of the individual. This snake, more often appears as negative thoughts and limiting beliefs. Make no mistake, the snake is not part of the person. It is a foreign entity, a demon emerging from the pits of hell, and acting as a force to tear the individual down.
It may taunt, and criticise, and try to break the spirit of the creative, but it is ultimately up to the writer on whether they will allow the snake to find a home in their garden.
The Push and Pull of Delusion
I believe in being delusional. However, this is not to grant permission for insanity. But sometimes, to fight what is irrational, it is necessary to counter it with the same energy. Fears appear in overwhelming statements. Some, such as:
“I am an absolute failure.”
“Nothing I write will ever be good enough.”
“No one will read my writing.”
Although, what isn’t often celebrated about these statements is the fact that they lead to the root cause of the problem within the mind. Once the enemy steps out of the shadows of the unconscious, it can then become neutralised—not defeated (which is an important distinction) yet.
For shutting down thought is not the way to defeat it. A delusional thought such as “I am an absolute failure” can instead be neutralised by being argued with . . .
“Who are you to say I am an absolute failure?” she says, staring the enemy dead in the eye. “Is what you say and what you know the absolute truth?”
“Of course,” the enemy replies, flicking its forked tongue, taunting and overconfident.
“How can you know this for certain?” she questions.
“I have seen the patterns of your past, and because of this, I know.”
She ponders the point a moment, wondering whether her past actions could be considered enough evidence to define the claim an absolute truth. After some time, she finally speaks.
“But I’ve had patterns in the past I overcame. As a child, I was able to stop wetting the bed. As an adolescent, I was able to grow out of disruptive behaviours. As an adult, I was able to learn to cook, and each varied in time to accomplish. So tell me, in a world that is continuous, if I have the ability to learn and the potential to change, how can this scenario be any different? Perhaps completing a book has been difficult, however, the feat is not impossible. Failure is so conclusive, and since I have yet to resign, and the desire to finish writing a book still burns true in my heart, it is something I cannot be. It contradicts my actions, and therefore, cannot be an absolute truth.”
She waits but hears no retort back. And as the moments pass in silence, she realises that because the enemy cannot possibly predict the future, its statements of doubt simply cannot be correct. They are all just speculation.
Yes, it is quite an insane action to argue with one’s own mind, but it must be seen this way. Perhaps it is the stubborn nature of mine that permits me to think up this delusion, but I would personally rather prove it wrong than let the invisible enemy win. I gain all by winning and lose my dreams if I don’t.
No thought, no enemy has any authority over the individual. Rather, the individual experiences thoughts which cannot be silenced by ignoring or choosing to not believe them—because they will still remain. However, if they were argued with, it would be quickly revealed that they hold no truth.
Perseverance is the Greatest Weapon
Each time the creative chooses to neutralise the enemy within, the more it unlatches from them. It is also great to hold a mantra to keep the fire alive. Something that may even concede to the enemy so that it no longer can hold any power. For example:
“You may be right now, but you won’t be when I’m done.”
In time, the scream becomes a whisper. Then from a whisper, it ceases to exist. Perseverance, and a regular writing routine is the sword needed to deliver the final strike to the enemy.
When writer’s block is caused by the mind, it ultimately means there is doubt present in ones abilities. However, this doubt should not be debilitating. Realise that every advance taken brings the creative closer to mastery. So although some negative thoughts may hold a little truth now, they will be less true the more the individual writes, perseveres, and tends to the garden.
I’m a freelance book editor whose biggest dream is to help you achieve yours. Visit my website to find out more about my editing and coaching services.
See how wonderfully and beautifully written. Thank you Elena, I love every word you wrote. You help clear the hazy off my mind.