Writer’s block can be a sign of incipient depression.
by Anne R. Allen
Writer’s block is probably the most popular topic in the writing posts on Medium, the popular new (ish) blogging platform. Lots of Millennials use Medium, and their posts offer an insight into our culture’s future.
I’ve been amazed to see how many young writers consider themselves “blocked.”
I fear it comes from that old adage “write every day”– which is silly. Even the most successful, prolific writers I know don’t work seven days a week, fifty-two weeks a year. It’s good to remember that even God rested on the seventh day.
I believe that if you have nothing to say, it’s best not to say it.
There is so much pressure right now to turn out endless verbiage that writers aren’t taking time to read, contemplate, and have real experiences to write about.
I was glad to see a post on Medium last Tuesday that finally said exactly that: Living is Part of the Writing Process.
The message, from writer Lindsay Knowles, is a good one: resist that pressure to vomit out pointless words. The world does not need endless piles of derivative prose. It needs fresh, exciting ideas.
Wherever in your consciousness those fresh ideas live–call it your “muse” or your “creativity well” as creativity guru Julia Cameron does–you can’t force those ideas to appear by bullying yourself.
Not only does self-bullying not produce good work. It can be dangerous to your health.
Does Writer’s Block Exist?
Some professional writers claim writer’s block doesn’t exist. They’ll tell you they never have any trouble banging out their daily pages—and laugh at people who do.
William Faulkner said, “I only write when I am inspired. Fortunately I am inspired at 9 o’clock every morning.”
Terry Pratchett—not earning himself any fans in my home state—said, “there’s no such thing as writer’s block. That was invented by people in California who couldn’t write.”
And Renaissance man Steve Martin was even harsher. He said, “writer’s block is a fancy term made up by whiners so they can have an excuse to drink alcohol.”
But, um, dudes—if writer’s block doesn’t exist, what is that thing that happens when you sit down to write and your body gets the fidgets, your brain grows fuzz, or you suddenly develop a bad case of narcolepsy?
My mom, who inherited great digestion from her tough Norwegian father, always insisted there was no such thing as heartburn. She’d never felt it personally, so it didn’t exist. I think the above block-mocking writers are using the same empathy-free logic.
Writer’s Block in the E-Age
Last week, the editor of Women On Writing, Angela Macintosh, admitted that she hadn’t been able to write creatively for years. She said,
“I watched my personal, creative writing time diminish. I was freelancing and working on ad copy; and by the end of the day, I had nothing left for creative writing–only writing-related tasks like responding to emails that sucked up the rest of my day.”
She’s describing the Internet age version of writer’s block. It’s not that you can’t write, but that you’re writing too much–on non-creative things.
Speaking from experience, I can tell you it’s very real.
Is it Writer’s Block or Something More Serious?
We have days when the never-used wedding silver screams to be polished, books and DVDs must be alphabetized immediately, and we’re seized by an uncontrollable desire to make hand-dipped truffles instead of box-mix brownies for the meeting on Friday.
Or we bravely apply derrière to chair, fingers to keyboard, and force ourselves to work through the prescribed hours—only to produce pages of useless verbal manure.
A lot of these cases of what people call “writer’s block,” are simply a case of “writer’s boredom.” You may have got yourself bogged down in the saggy middle of a novel, or you may have written too many blogposts on the same subject. That subject is squeezed dry and you’re ready to say “‘bye Felicia” to that character.
This usually means it’s time for a rethink of the project. After all, if you’re bored with your own work, your audience will be too.
But sometimes your lack of inspiration can be a sign of something else: depression. Because of the prevalence of depression in writers, it’s important to pay attention.
If an episode of writer’s block or boredom can’t be fixed by cutting a few scenes, upping the plot stakes, or changing point of view or topic, look for signs of clinical depression, which may require medical help.
When Writer’s Block is a Sign of Depression
Nancy Andreasen did a famous study of the members of the prestigious Iowa Writer’s Workshop and found 80% of writers surveyed met the formal diagnostic criteria for depression.
And recent research shows the part of the brain used for complex thought is also active in the brains of the clinically depressed. Researchers found evidence that if you spend too much time engaged in intense thinking, your brain can get stuck in thinking/depression mode.
So it’s quite possible that “writer’s block” is the brain’s way of protecting itself from a depressive episode.
I’m not saying that writing is always going to cause depression. In fact writing can often combat mental health issues by taking you out of your repetitive thought patterns into a healthier place.
I’m talking about depression that creeps over you when you’ve been working long hours on a project and you’ve been glued to the screen for weeks. Everything seems pointless. Your body feels like dead weight. You’re drained of all motivation.
Unfortunately, we live in a society that increasingly expects us to push ourselves to the point of exhaustion. Fewer workers are expected to produce more and more product. Many of us are compelled to take several jobs, work ridiculously long hours, and tough out illnesses without a break.
A quick Google search will turn up a “boot camp” for everything from food bloggers to hip-hop street dancers. Everybody’s expected to blog, Tweet, Pin, Instagram and Facebook as well as work on our creative projects.
We live in a 24/7 age of more-is-better, feel-the-burn, and sleep-when-you’re-dead.
Don’t Bully Your Muse
But here’s the thing: you can’t bully the creative process. Your muse will simply disappear. The well will run dry.
And—whether you call that writer’s block, boredom, or being an untalented, drunken Californian—if those researchers are right, it’s not such a bad thing.
So instead of worrying about being “blocked,” why not embrace the experience?
Send your muse on vacation. Decide not to write for a week. Writing uninspired dreck is not going to further your career, so unless you’ve got a publisher who needs that piece last week, why not forget about writing for a few days?
A visit to the here and now can be pretty healthy for those of us who spend most of our time in imaginary worlds.
Allowing yourself downtime for a few days might be what your brain needs to fight off that looming depression. Let your creativity re-charge its batteries.
14 Things to Do to “Fill the Well.”
1) Unplug
Science has proved that unplugging from technology improves your overall health, allows you to sleep better, and improves your mood. Here’s a piece on 5 ways unplugging can improve your health.
If your writer’s block takes you to social media, where you lose three hours to political cartoons and snarky diatribes, stop. Unplug. You’re only making things worse. That screen is sucking the creativity out of you.
2) Take your characters out for some retail therapy.
I love to shop for my characters. Sometimes I look for stuff in real stores. Or I use magazines, catalogues, or surf around online. And it doesn’t cost a thing.
Choosing my characters’ cars is one of my most important rituals when I’m working on a new novel. I usually find a photo and keep it in a folder. Recently I’ve pinned some to the book’s pages at Pinterest.
3) Read, read, read.
Stephen King says writers should spend as much time reading as writing. If the book is great, maybe it will inspire you, and if it’s bad, you’ll love that “I can do better” feeling.
4) Go ahead—polish the silverware.
Dip those truffles and polish that antique gravy boat. Repetitive, mindless tasks can be good for the soul. At least all those monks seem to think so.
5) Clean out the clutter.
Sometimes taking the time to clean out a closet or file drawer can also clear the cobwebs from your brain.
6) Garden.
Play in the dirt. Literally ground yourself.
7) Cook.
Doing something really basic to nurture yourself can do wonders. I like to make soups and stews. Other writers I know like to bake. Do whatever is fun and feels like taking care of yourself.
8) Try another medium.
I had a “blocked writer” friend who got so frustrated, she went out and took a painting class. She turned out to be a much better painter than writer—and started selling her work after only a year. Try to do that after taking one writing class!
9) Change the scenery.
Go for a walk, sit in a café—or hop on a bus. Busses are packed with fiction-fuel.
10) Music.
Go listen to some. Preferably live. Not as background for chatter, but really listen. Or make some yourself.
11) Move.
Walk, run, dance, bike. Do the hokey-pokey.
12) Or the hanky-panky.
Sex is good too.
13) Lie on a beach
Or climb a mountain, sail, ski, or whatever. Literally take a vacation. The important thing is to set a prescribed amount of time off and plan to get back to work when you return. Chances are good that you’ll approach the old project with new ideas and new enthusiasm.
14) Take a nap!
This is an addition from Ruth Harris. It’s so important, it shouldn’t be left out. We’re all sleep deprived these days, and it can lead to disaster. We need sleep for healthy brain function as well as physical health.
For more on how to beat the blahs, check out Ruth’s posts. Stress-Busters and Burnout Beaters and Stress or Burnout?
NOTE: This post is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical care if you have clinical depression. If your depression persists, do get medical help. I battle depression myself and I can say conclusively that medical intervention saved my life.
What about you, scriveners? Have you ever had the symptoms of writer’s block? What did you do to fight it? Do you battle with depression like so many of us? Do you feel depressed when you’ve been working too many hours on a project?
COVER REVEAL!!
The next Camilla mystery will debut in August. And here’s the fabulous cover, designed by Keri Knutson of Alchemy Book Covers and Designs.
The Queen of Staves: The Camilla Randall Mysteries #6
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Annie, funny how I just had similar conversation with fellow author…A writer.block?! Isn’t a luxury, an indulgence? I barely manage to write all there it is I wish to share with folks…
Great topic to write about and hope your insights Wil prove yet another sparkle of inspiration to folks with writers block….
Anna–Haha. Writer’s block isn’t something we choose. It’s something that hits like a freight train. With me, it happened after my mom died. I couldn’t write anything creative for months. But I took care of myself and tried not to beat myself up and eventually the muse came back.
Hey Anne — Thanks for another fine post. In your intro you note “I believe that if you have nothing to say, it’s best not to say it.” Amen to that. One of my favorite middle grade novel quotes comes from Peck’s *A Day No Pigs Would Die* when a mostly silent farmer-type tells his son, “Never miss the opportunity to keep your mouth shut.”
I’m a Californian born & bred, but when it comes to writers’ block, I must admit to being a non-Californian. In my personal experience, there is no such thing, but as you note, I certainly can distract myself with windows that need washing, cars that need waxing, ad nauseam. In truth, all that just boils down to a decision (the sort that doesn’t feel like a decision at the time) to step away from the WIP.
And maybe you’ve answered the question of why nobody’s buying my work. Perhaps I don’t have the Depression-Prone-Writer-DNA necessary to do this. I’m just a happy guy who can’t seem o get published. Ah, life. It’s a mystery, isn’t it?
CS–I always say “show me a writer with a spotless house and I’ll show you a case of writer’s block.” But you manage to keep a clean house, beautiful garden and still write volumes. You have great luck there. Let’s hope the luck spreads to the publication department. too.
HI,
I have both read and taught Peck’s A DAY NO PIG’S WOULD DIE. I am conducting an expert interview regarding how to overcome Writer’s Block. No one responded by saying it’s a myth. Do you feel the answer is different for bloggers and literary writers?
Janice
Janice–I answered your question more fully on your other comment at the bottom of the post. Bloggers tend to run out of topics, but novelists can have depression-related writer’s block from being “in the zone” too many hours a day. The genre of the novel doesn’t matter much, IMO.
This is beyond fun, Anne, it’s flat-out important. I’m sharing.
HUGE fan of #8: I sometimes record chapters for audio books of tales I’ve already written, and I also paint figurines of current characters which helps me get in touch with them a bit like your shopping idea I bet.
#11 is also of proven utility, moving around is great not just for writing but for work- especially when work consists of more writing!
And I love #12 too of course, but this is the first I’ve heard it helps with writing! Maybe I NEED writer’s block… I’d have to say honestly I haven’t come close to the kind of depressive feeling you warn about. I’m comfortable letting the writing go until it comes more easily. But I would also admit I’ve never written several pages of “manure” and I’m thinking that until that happens I won’t really know how productive I can be. Great stuff to think about.
Will–I love the idea of making figurines of your characters!
One caveat for #12. If you are engaging in hanky panky of the two-person variety, do NOT shout out in the middle, “I know why he killed her!” or your partner may have a negative reaction that’s worse than the initial problem. 🙂
Anne—Important and excellent post! I’ll add one item to your fine list: Sleep. If nothing else, take a nap.
Quoting from the US Dept of Health & Human Services: “Sleep deficiency has played a role in human errors linked to tragic accidents, such as nuclear reactor meltdowns, grounding of large ships, and aviation accidents.” Just imagine what lack of sleep can do to creative ability! Find the whole article here: https://edubirdie.com/blog/facts-about-sleep
PS: Forget to say how much I love your cover. Light and bright and covers the Camilla mood so well! 🙂
Ruth, that’s so important, I think I’d better add it to the post. Thanks soooo much!
I’m glad you like the cover. It’s one of my favorites!
I think there are a lot of different versions of writer’s block. I used to have it trying to come up with ideas–I actually had to learn how to come up with ideas, not just wait for inspiration to appear. I spent waaaayyy too much time endlessly revising first novel partially because I didn’t have another idea I thought I could turn into a book.
But I’m currently doing Writing in Public on my blog, and that’s involved a short story a week where I had to come up with an idea and launch. One idea was a street sign. I couldn’t have done that 15 years ago.
Then there’s block where I get stuck in the story. Sometimes that’s fear, sometimes it’s an element in the story that’s gone wrong. Like a scene that shouldn’t be there and your subconscious is trying to get your attention. That one’s darn hard to see. I have to start thinking about where I might have gone off track. Thankfully, I usually catch this one after one chapter, rather than twenty thousand words.
But the reason for writing every day is simply to build the habit. So that when life gets in the way (or my case, extreme hot weather this week), it’s easy to get back up and write again. If it’s not a habit, it’s terribly easy to let months or even years go by without doing any writing. I broke my foot in February and between medical telework and the healing, I was too tired to do anything once I got off work. I didn’t write again until May, but it was easy to start up again.
Linda–Thanks again for another great insight: Coming up with ideas is something you have to LEARN. And practice is how you learn.
And I know so many new writers who get stuck exactly the way you did. (I did too) They endlessly write and rewrite that first novel. It’s not just fear of rejection (or success.) It’s fear of not being able to come up with a new idea.
Your Writing in Public project sounds exciting.
I don’t write every day either. I find that if I walk away from the writing project and do whatever while I let what’s bothering me perk on the back burner, I come back to the task refreshed and with new ways to tackle the problem. Great post as usual, Anne. Also if you follow Cameron’s morning pages routine, that’s a great way to get rid of that “manure” you talk about. I used to do those when I had “blocks” or ran myself into a writing corner. It’s a miserable feeling but there is hope. Just walk away and come back later. Works for me every time.
Paul–Morning pages work for me, too. Some people hate the idea, because you’re “wasting” time on something you can’t sell. But for me, they work–for exactly the reason you say. They get the garbage out so I can hit the ground running with the WIP>
I find creating music a good way to recharge myself – for anything.
A lot of writers do seem to get depressed. I’m an even-keel kind of person myself. No real lows. (Of course, no real highs, either.)
I plan on unplugging for a good chunk of August with the intent to recharge and write.
Alex–I mentioned listening to music, but not making it, because I’m not a musician like you. But I’ll bet creating music can be like painting or switching to any other medium. It uses a different part of your brain. Great to be so multi-talented.
Unplugging in August sounds delightful. I wish I could do that. Enjoy!
Thanks for the column–lots of good ideas. My husband rightly points out that my writer’s block is more about disorganization than lack of ideas. Easier to pick up my iphone for a game of solitare, because it’s ready to go. My writing, on the other hand is so confusingly filed, I don’t know where to start.
Love your cover. Can’t wait till it comes out.
Judythe–Thanks for the insight! I think you’re right. I think organization plays a role. I used to have four or five projects half done and I couldn’t decide which one to do, so I’d feel paralyzed. Some writers can multi-task, and work on several projects at once, but I’m better doing them one at a time to a schedule.
I show up at the keyboard at the same time every day, but on certain days I write blogposts and other nonfiction and on others I work on the novel in progress. You might try making a schedule for yourself and see if that helps with the organization.
When I’m writing, I push myself toward 12 and 14 hour days for weeks at a time. However, when it’s all over I sleep for an entire weekend. Then I clean my house from top to bottom b/c for those weeks I’m writing, housework just isn’t a priority. For some strange reason, cleaning seems to fill the coffers better than anything else, including retail therapy, which is a shame. However, I know when I’m burnt out. I’d rather vacuum needlessly every day than write crap and have to discard it, and then try to find the right words to fill the deleted space.
Anne–I’m the same. When I’m in the “flow” of a novel, I can work those long hours without much break. But I know I need to take a break or my body will shut everything down.
I wish vacuuming did it for me. I’d have a much cleaner house. 🙂 But gardening does, and so does walking. And sometimes just being. I sit outside and listen to the birds.
But I’d still rather vacuum, or even scrub the bathroom (least favorite job) than write crap and have to discard it.
“You can’t bully the creative process” – there’s another terrific line for my students! I have just finished the final draft of my 15th book (final, until the publisher gets at it.) I am mentally exhausted. I can’t even think about what to write next yet. It just throws me into a panic. I’m going to take your advice, Anne, and vacation from writing for at least two weeks.
In my classes, I tell my students, “You will know by the end of this 14 week course, if you want to spend your leisure time writing for the rest of your life.” I think that is a very different discovery than writers’ block. Some people don’t have it in them, or don’t enjoy writing. Fair enough. I think your post above speaks beautifully to us who are writers at heart, but maybe need a short break from it.
Melodie–Congrats on finishing book #15! I’ve just finished #11, and that’s why I wrote this post. I tried sitting down to write the other book that’s got a looming deadline and got ____. Nothing there.
I realized my body hurt all over and I had that “flat” feeling I get when depression is about to set in. Time to step away from the keyboard.
No matter how much we love to write, we need to do other stuff like move and breathe and spend time with other humans. 🙂
Anne, My long-term experience with so-called Writer’s Block involved both an inability to draw ideas from the world around me, a second inability to shape ideas into a story arc, and an eventual and deep depression because I realized my block was permanent. At some point, if I wanted to escape depression, I had to admit that I was not a writer. I do not own the necessary talent, vision and skill. So, minus the smartass California reference, I agree with Terry Pratchett’s statement, “there’s no such thing as writer’s block. That was invented by people in [California] who couldn’t write.”
Writers grow tired, and your suggestion for refilling the creative tanks are well-taken. But there are far too many people today who like to believe that because computers and the web seem to make it easier to become a writer, well dab nabit they are overnight writers. For many, an inevitable lack of success leads to a block which is indeed a brother to depression.
Anthony–I do agree with you about people who think because computers make the physical aspects of writing easier that it’s any easier to be a creative writer than it was in Dickens’ day.
I wonder if it would help you to think outside the book. Maybe write a poem or a limerick. Play. Do something totally silly with words.
But it also could be that words aren’t your medium. Sometimes visual arts like photography and painting can lift a blocked writer out of the block and even out of depression. I personally know at least three “blocked” writers who turned to painting with great success.
Number 8 works wonders for me. I’m crafty and like to knit and make jewelry and have recently gotten into painting and it’s a refreshing change from writing. Don’t get me wrong, I love writing, but it can take some time before you see results. When I knit, make jewelry or do a small painting, I see results quickly and I find that gives me a creative boost. I guess sometimes we just need instant gratification.
Patricia–Crafting has worked for me on a number of occasions. Beading is very meditative and so is embroidery. I went through a year when I crocheted all the time. I think they all feed our creative “well.”
I would not say that I experience writer’s block I just happen to have a good bit of life going on and take time from my writing to live it. I also read a good bit. And, like you said, I am encouraged when I read a published novel and think, “Well, if that could get published, why not mine.” Ha!
Christine–Sometimes life takes over and doesn’t allow you the time to write. That’s very different from being “blocked” but it can have the same effect of stifling your muse. I think it’s getting out of the habit of writing that does it.
Yes, there are an awful lot of published books out there that just leave me scratching my head. 🙂
Hey Anne,
THIS: “She’s describing the Internet age version of writer’s block. It’s not that you can’t write, but that you’re writing too much–on non-creative things.” Practically knocked me out of my chair it was so true for me. I make my living as a freelance writer and man are there days when trying to write ‘creatively’ after that is just freaking impossible. They say you use different parts of your brain for different types of writing and while that may be true, ‘they’ fail to mention that one sucks your skull totally dry sometimes.
I have turned to graphic design as an alternate activity to feed my brain and nurture my creativity. It’s not that I’m that good but it really relaxes me and has more substance than words often do (as a medium). I’m going through a particularly tedious part of the editing process on my latest WIP so I need time away from it – things need to percolate – slowly too.
If people don’t believe in writer’s block that’s okay with me – I probably don’t believe in lots of things those people do – seems fair. I do believe in it and sometimes I can trick it into relenting but often not. And now I’ve just gotten to the point where I can give myself permission to ride things out – take the time it takes to get the product I want, and everything and everyone else be damned. Right?
Love the new cover.
Thanks,
Annie
Annie–Macintosh’s quote really resonated with me. I hadn’t heard anybody else say that, but I realized it’s a symptom of the Internet age. Some days the blog takes 12 hours out of my day. After that, I’m just not up to writing on the WIP. It’s a different kind of “block” but it has the same results.
And we’re not “lazy”–just burned out on keyboards and screens.
I think sometimes doing things we’re not all that good at (me with most crafts) is relaxing. We don’t expect anything of ourselves. So it’s just for fun.
Thanks for posting this. It may be my age showing, but it seems nowadays that the publishing industry is consumed with quantity and not quality. Just crank out the assembly line fiction; never mind that it’s probably mediocre. No wonder people get burned out and drained of ideas. As someone who has depression and numerous health problems, I get sick of those who push me to “work faster and more often.” Sorry, I am in turtle mode, and will be the rest of my life. I do everything slow; sometimes I can only type with one hand. I have found that, rather than being blocked, I need time to think and process ideas. When I do write, it appears that I am cranking it out fast, in moments of binge creativity. The reality is, I have not written for days, or even weeks; I have been thinking and plotting the ideas while doing mundane chores or relaxing. I highly recommend thinking of ideas while doing this, or in odd moments like being stuck in a waiting room. Keep a tiny notebook to remember a good idea, but don’t be pressured to “work.” I hope this helps.
MissMontana–I’m slow too. I wrote a post about it a few months ago. https://selfpublishingsites.com/2017/04/slow-writers-doomed-in-digital-age/
It helps to know that it took J. R. R. Tolkien 15 years to write The Hobbit. And Raymond Chandler only wrote 6 books.
Edgar Rice Burroughs wrote over 100 books. But Tolkien and Chandler sell more books today than Burroughs.
Great thoughtful post, as always, Anne! Thanks!!
I call dibs on hanky-panky — it works every time. I believe Muses love hanky-panky, as it opens all the channels.
I agree with Angela’s perception as well. I’ve done writing at work, then come home and write for myself. The portion of my mind that plots out stories and tries on various roles for various characters soon became non-responsive, because I used it all day to formulate B2B writing that would resonate. blech
My Muse shows up when things are ‘done’, when the pot has percolated long enough…and when that happens, I MUST write, no matter where I am. Many a chapter has been feverishly scribbled while in a meeting, only to be complimented on my diligence or asked if I would share my obviously dedicated notes. ha!
My Muse is also capable of waiting forever. If I cram my noggin with crap, it will wait until I’ve cleared the room a bit to return. If you’re soooo enthralled with work or other ‘organizing’ actions, then your Muse will wait until you make room, which means shutting up the internal dialogue and staring at something while outside.
Depression isn’t a magic state of mind that slips up behind you, and then mugs you. It has to do with chemicals changing, neurons firing for specific reasons. If you sit and stare at your screen, waiting for the words to come, grab a recorder, put on your shoes, and then get outside and walk like you have a destination! Pound the pavement, elbow through — and ask for a connection…make your purpose be to search, to seek — for what? Beauty. Laughter. And when you slow down naturally, you’ll find your Muse waiting, maybe as your vision takes in the water moving in a fountain, or lake or stream. Could be anything…but it will catch your ‘fancy’ as they say, and you’ll have your connection. That’s what the recorder is for.
Again, thanks Anne, great insightful topic. :o)
Maria
Maria–I love it that you wrote a story in a meeting and people praised you for taking such diligent notes! 🙂
It’s true that you have to slow down to “catch” the muse. I love the idea that she’s waiting by moving water. I do find that water refreshes me more than anything. I love to stand on a little bridge over a creek in a park near my house. I’ve had some of my best ideas there.
I know that mind set of having to push through the low times. When I received my quarterly royalties report last week, I felt like quitting. I cleaned out some cupboards instead. Took six boxes of wine glasses, coffee mugs, and vases to Goodwill. (Don’t worry. I have lots of glasses and mugs left.) It felt so good, and while I was doing it, I realized I wanted to finish my WIP. Time to think, some work, and I was back at it. I don’t know any writers personally who don’t get down. It’s nice to hear it’s okay.
Susan–I envy you getting some of the clutter out of the house. I need to do that too!
The new brain research says that depression and writing use the same part of the brain. That’s why we can get “stuck” there and we start fading. So it’s really important to get out and use a different part of your brain.
I probably did at one time or another. The old adage of write every day doesn’t do it for me. When I want to work on my latest project, if it’s an off week at work, I’ll often churn out words on a tiny 4 x 6 notepad, which is pretty easy for me to do since I often remember where I’d left off previously on the weekend, which is when I do the bulk of my writing.
If I’m at a point in my novel where if I attempt to continue it at work, I would get into trouble (writing a sex scene at a politically correct/hyper-sensitive office is a no-no), I’ll switch off to writing for my weekly blog.
Above all, I do a lot of reading. Roughly 98% non-fiction I read at work, as I rarely bring fiction to work unless it’s historical fiction.
I don’t write every day, ’cause writing every day makes G.B. a dull uninspired man.
G.B.–You’re so right. Reading is so important for a writer. And this push to write, write, write every day doesn’t allow enough reading time. Stephen King said we should spend 50% of our work time reading.
And you’re also right about the dull man/woman. 🙂
Thank you , Anne, for this post. I just launched a new book and I’m feeling guilty that I’m not immediately getting back to writing new words. Aaack, it’s so hard to give yourself permission to take some time off when you’re self-employed. (And when readers are already asking when the next one will be done!)
Kassandra–sounds like you’re in the same boat as Melodie Campbell and I. When you finish a book you need to do some celebrating and recreating, not jump into the next book without a break. I think that’s what leads to those cookie cutter books that some big name authors come out with. (Not naming any names. It happens to a lot of them.)
But yes, there is pressure. Huge pressure. Fans want the next one right away. But we’re not Netflix. Haha.
Great stuff as usual, Anne. I think a lot of writer’s block is procrastination more than some sort of mental barrier. And I think we’re all guilty of procrastination to some degree. I’m reading blogs and making the odd comment today when I really need to finish a WIP, but… hey – what are Sundays for? I find there’s nothing for beating procrastination aka writer’s block like deadlines. I do some freelance work and have to have pieces done by a specific deadline or I won’t get paid. That seems to motivate the muse 🙂
Garry–But you have to ask yourself why you’re procrastinating. Maybe you need to. Even the Lord rested on Sunday. 🙂
Yes, deadlines do make you churn the stuff out, but is it your best work? Sometimes they help, but sometimes they make you panic.
How come I can’t post here any longer? Bummer.
Patricia–You’re the second person who’s had a problem today. But nobody else did. I thought it was fixed. Last week it wouldn’t let me post. I’ll talk to Barb.
Sorry, Anne. I tried to post something and it said “Invalid request signature or no blog id supplied” so I posted the above to see if it would go through. It did.
I am a firm believer in riding my bicycle around the marinas in my small city, meeting up with my Canadian geese friends. That’s when I think about my next book and the plot and characters. Depressed? No. Writing makes me happy. Thinking about writing makes me happy. And I’m no drunken Californian either!!!
Patricia–There seems to be something glitchy going on with the blog, but the comments are coming through. Try refreshing the page. Last week they wouldn’t let me comment for a while.
Bike riding sounds like a great way to take a break from the keyboard.
Very interesting and helpful post, Anne. I’m slowing down from extremely productive period. Adding to your list I’d advice finding a worthy cause. Mine: giving a home to dogs in need.
Leanne–What a great suggestion! In fact being around pets in general can lift your mood.
I loved this post and shared it with writing friends who have and are experiencing depression. I thought this part:”Choosing my characters’ cars is one of my most important rituals when I’m working on a new novel.” Was hilarious! I’m adding shopping to my list of creating characters! Love love love it!
Cindy–I’m so glad to hear this post can help somebody who’s going through it.
Shopping for your characters can be so fun. I know a romance author who knows what kind of underwear all her characters are wearing. 🙂
“I watched my personal, creative writing time diminish. I was freelancing and working on ad copy; and by the end of the day, I had nothing left for creative writing–only writing-related tasks like responding to emails that sucked up the rest of my day.” <— that was me when I was a journalist! All my energy went to writing my articles, and I really had little left for my fiction after that. Now, my job is mostly about editing, it's a different set of muscles and have helped my writing immensely in the sense that it doesn't steal the juice from my fiction writing.
The creative well is a relatively new concept for me, but how true it is! Writers have to constantly replenish that well or they'll literally be out of passion and ideas. I found that true for myself from 2012-2015 when I read, at most, a fiction book a year and barely watched any television. Now, I do a lot of reading (usually out of my genre – romance novels!) and watching (Game of Thrones is a big muse to me). I may try the painting suggestion, Anne, as I have been toying with the idea for some time.
Also something I remind myself: Writing doesn't have to just be "putting words on paper / on the screen". I'm writing when I brainstorm for ideas of my novel, when I'm watching a TV show to get inspired or when I'm listening to music to jog my brain for scenes in the book. Then takes the pressure off for me.
Elizabeth–I wrote you a long response this morning, but it seems to have evaporated. 🙁 You make such an important point: writing is not simply putting the words down. So much of “writing” happens when ideas are percolating while we read, walk, work, or whatever. Those ideas have to be there before we can write them down. Thanks for the insight!
Thank you so much for this article. I to have depression and am having a hard time writing. I feel like I’ve been given permission to step back. Thank you.
Lisa–I’m glad this post found you. Yes. Give yourself permission to “fill the well.” Read or walk or play music or whatever feeds your soul right now. The words will come later. I hope you feel better soon.
Thanks for another helpful post Anne. Last week I was about to delve into the re-writes of my first novel, but something was nagging me. Instead, I spent the week away from writing, listening to audio books and spending time outdoors. It eventually occurred to me that the problem with my novel was my protagonist. I may never have realised that had I not spent some time away from my writing.
Debbie–That is good advice for writers no matter what their background. Let a first draft “cool off” and take some time to recharge your batteries. Then approach it with fresh eyes. It’s amazing how much better you’ll be at catching the issues with the book. And you proved it’s true! Congrats!
Great post, Anne, as always. I was depressed some years ago. The depression wasn’t connected directly to my writing, but personal stuff. But what I want to share is that I WROTE MYSELF out of the depression. Yes, I saw a counselor. I took meds. But I also began to write a novel that was fueled by what led to my depression. There’s lots of good work in it and I hope to get back to it someday and publish it. All I can say is distraction is a must for depression. Taking a walk, being with a friend, talking to a counselor are all necessary. The craziness of my depression finally melted away and when it was gone, I had a novel to show for it.
Beth. Yes. Writing can be a great healer. It has been for me. As I said above.
“I’m not saying that writing is always going to cause depression. In fact writing can often combat mental health issues by taking you out of your repetitive thought patterns into a healthier place.
I’m talking about depression that creeps over you when you’ve been working long hours on a project and you’ve been glued to the screen for weeks. Everything seems pointless. Your body feels like dead weight. You’re drained of all motivation.”
I used to be among those who thought there was some reason some people got writer’s block and others (meaning: I ) did not. I wondered if it was boredom, and in a way, for me, I think it has been that. Also, for me, it seems to be time to change gears with my writing. I think I’ve written all I can, for the most part, about my former topic, and aside from occasional bursts of inspiration, most of that is like an archive: I draw from it and then close the file cabinet again.
However, I still fight the stillness.
I’ve tried cute programs that make you write for a timer. Too much adrenalin for me.
I tried re-reading some of my most inspiring favorites out there. That was fun. Only fun.
I tried guilt; many people are depending upon me.
I tried taking a break, not from writing, but from seriousness, and pursued a bit of simpler on-line freelancing and public speaking. That made me feel half neurotic. Haha!
I love the idea (and so much prefer the phrase) of an empty well. That is how it feels. Really. It’s like I cannot find my writing stuff, as if it’s been stolen, or as if the bucket has come up from the well, empty. I don’t like the reality, though.
I almost NEVER experience depression. (That’s my husband’s sideline. We have both marveled at it, and both have agreed that I do not recognize depression in myself because I’ve so very little experience with it.) I need to get his opinion on this idea, which is new to me. I certainly do not want to have depression, and most certainly do not want to have an imagined excuse to quit.
I think I shall read the links about not letting the outside world drag us down by being online too much. That feels like that shoe fits, a bit, maybe. :'( I shall continue coming here, though. Thanks, Anne.
Katharine
Katherine–Many people don’t recognize the symptoms of depression, which is why I put the link there to the WebMD page. They may feel irritable and achy and have trouble digesting food and think they have “the flu” or some other viral disease. So it’s worthwhile to check them out.
Mild depression, which is that “empty well” feeling, can be improved by my suggested methods. Clinical depression may need medical intervention. But with me, the first signs of depression may be physical. The situation is still mild, but I need to step away from what I’m doing in order to stop the progression. Knowing that the same part of the brain is activated in writing and depression helps.
I think there are a lot of different versions of writer’s block. I used to have it trying to come up with ideas–I actually had to learn how to come up with ideas, not just wait for inspiration to appear.
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Koi–In tomorrow’s post, on August 27, Ruth Harris has written a whole post on how to fill up that “idea bank.”
“Letting the well fill back up” was a metaphor I thought of when I first started writing and was trying to figure out the relationship between inspiration and work. So nice to see that I’m not the only one to discover this. I want my writing to have meaning and not just be mental spewings with no context. I also measure progress by completed projects instead of word count. And all the things you listed for filling up the well do work, I know from experience. 🙂
Robert–Basing your progress on completed projects instead of wordcount is very wise. Those wordcount addicts often write off on tangents they have to cut out of the story later, or just type a whole lot of useless prose. Thoughtfully completing projects is a more adult way of approaching your career, IMO. Keep it up!
Thanks, Anne. I shall!
Hi Anne,
I have blogged about how to cure Writer’s Block several times. I have an expert interview on the topic due out early September. I plan on using some of your ideas and linking to you.
I wonder if the answer to the question does writer’s block exist would be different or bloggers and literary writers.
Janice
Janice–The bloggers on Medium who complain of writer’s block are mostly not yet at the point where they’re writing fiction–certainly not novels. Their block comes from not having enough ideas to blog every day. I wouldn’t have enough ideas to blog every day, either. I think that’s too much.
The kind of writing that can cause depression-related writer’s block usually comes from long, long hours at the keyboard, which is usually the case with novelists or memoirists rather than bloggers. I don’t know if the fact the novel is literary or genre fiction (or memoir) has much to do with it. But others may feel differently.
A great post Anne and some really great comments…the overiding theme is what works for YOU….I walk and do have a rota which I hand write on a Monday….I may move or delete something on a Tuesday or carry over what I didn’t do on the next Monday…It just focuses me and at least once or twice a day I get up and either cook something sometimes I even eat…lol..or just sit in the garden or go for a walk….Walking clears my head and I have my best thoughts when I walk…As individuals we need to find what suits us ….It has taken me a very long time to do that…Have a lovely day 🙂
Blondie–Walking is a practice an awful lot of famous writers used to get things flowing. The one thing that doesn’t work is staring at a blank page for hours. 🙂