I did a post a while back on the truth about writer’s block, the mental block when writers don’t know what to write. Recently, I was talking with some writers about being stuck and not writing, even though they had outlines ready. The problem wasn’t that they didn’t have ideas, but that they couldn’t convince themselves to write. Today I want to discuss this version of writer’s block and how to approach it.
2 Reasons For Writer’s Block
In my last post on the topic, I defined writer’s block as not having good enough ideas for the story. It’s about being a perfectionist and hating anything that doesn’t seem brilliant. Let’s call Writer’s Block Type 1 when you don’t know what to write.
There is another version, though, that I’ll call Writer’s Block Type 2. It’s when you know what to write but can’t seem to put the words on the page. You don’t feel like writing. Negativity often accompanies writer’s block. We tell ourselves that the idea could be better, that our prose is awful, or that the characters are annoying. Even with an outline to follow, it can be like pulling teeth to get words out. Why is that?
I argue that it’s because we lack passion for the scene. It’s easy to write when you are excited about the story, but writing when you feel apathetic or even disappointed by a scene feels impossible. I often hit this wall when I’m writing transition scenes. I have certain cool events or encounters planned for my book, and I have no problem writing them. However, those events have to be connected, and it’s in these in-between spots where I sometimes have to force myself to write. The scenes need to be there, but they aren’t as exciting as a plot twist or a Grand Gesture scene.
Overcoming Writer’s Block Type 2
So how do you fix writer’s block caused by a lack of passion? Some advice tells writers to jump to another scene or project that is exciting and write it. This can work, and you may find yourself excited to write the scene you skipped another day. But that isn’t always the case. Sometimes, you just have to push through and write the scene that stumps you. You can always go back and edit later to improve it. However, this is often my last resort to fixing Writer’s Block Type 2. (If it’s Writer’s Block Type 1 and I’m being a perfectionist though, I just make myself write and get over my fear of writing garbage.) Our writing is affected by our moods. If we are bored with the scene, the reader will be too.
I tackle my lack of desire to write by rekindling my passion for the scene. If I find it boring, I ask myself what would make it more exciting. Maybe it’s filling out a side-character more in the scene. I could add witty banter. Sometimes I try to give the scene dual meanings: one that is evident in the moment and another that can be seen on a second read whenever a future plot reveal or twist is known. I’ve even tried to use the setting or background characters to hint at things to come, creating foreshadowing. When you lack the will to write, ask yourself what would make it more exciting and then do that. You may end up overwriting, but you can always cut details out in the next draft.
Final Thoughts
If you plan on being a full-time writer, there will be days you need to write but don’t feel like it. Professionals say all the time that you just have to force yourself to keep going. While that’s true, I think there are ways to change our mindset and make it a joy again. If you can’t seem to rekindle your passion for writing and the feeling is prolonged over months, you may be suffering from burnout. At that point, you need to evaluate your life and how to get out of the slump. However, if you just lack passion for the scene you need to write, find a way to make it fun for yourself. It’ll end up being more fun for your readers too.
Thanks for reading!
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