I think it’s one of those terminology problems. I used to think there’s no such thing, as in ‘writer’s block is not an ailment in its own right’. In the same way that I didn’t, as some people said, have sciatica, I had a herniated disc trapping my sciatic nerve - the sciatic pain was a symptom of something else, not an affliction that existed alone. Now I figure it has its place as a catch all term, but to get past it you usually need to figure out what it’s a symptom of. I think I’ve suffered from each of your categories impinging on my writing at one time or another.
There's definitely a terminology problem. I also see 'writer's block' as an umbrella term, and agree that the most important part of working on writer's block is working out what's causing it. I'm coming to believe that we don't separate out the different types of causes enough, so you end up with a lot of people talking at cross purposes.
I find that, for me, writing block is more complex than that. You ask about short term or long term, but I've had some and some. And I completely agree with you that it's a symptom of something else, not a cause.
There's an excellent episode of writing excuses about it. And even though they say there's no such thing as writer's block, at some point it's becoming clear that they don't like the term because it makes you feel like something is wrong with you. Instead, they suggest using "writing block" which means your writing is block not you as a person is blocked. And they go through what it may mean for your story. I found that really useful, so here's the link: https://writingexcuses.com/nanowrimo-2018-bonus-episode-with-mercedes-lackey/
Yes, you're right that writer's block is more complex than the poll I posted. When I have a bit more time I would like to run a more comprehensive survey, but I was in a bit of a rush.
I'm reading a master's thesis at the moment which looks at the terminology around writer's block – some academics use 'writing anxiety' or 'writing apprehension', with both to me sound more medicalised than 'writer's block'. But I think with something as personal as writing, it's impossible to find a term that everyone will agree on.
For me, the problem with a term like "writing block" is that it disembodies us as writers. A sink may be blocked, rather than the sink user, but when we are struggling to write, then the problem is within us, not inside the computer or pen or typewriter. That doesn't mean that there's something "wrong" with us, and I dislike the medicalisation of writer's block, but the solution is often going to be internal, whether that's an emotion or mindset we need to change, or action we need to take to change a situation we're in. There are some external factors that can cause blocks, such as socioeconomic situation, so the locus of control isn't always internal, but if we try to externalise it by default, then we'll find ourselves looking in the wrong place for solutions.
Ultimately, it's OK to recognise that the problem may be within us. That doesn't mean that something's wrong with us.
Oh, absolutely. And I think there are different kinds of writing, so we have to know what kind of writing we're trying to do. So, I may be blocked on my short story or my novel, but my morning pages are still flowing. Or the other way around. And sometimes working on something else frees the block up, like writing a short story if I'm stuck on my novel. And sometimes it doesn't work, and I just get two stories I'm stuck on. I'm sure you can relate with the number of newsletter you run :)
What I found particularly interesting in the episode I mentioned is that they talk about reasons the *story* may be stuck. Sometimes a writer's block can be a symptom of "I took the wrong turn three chapters ago and now my subconscious is telling me this is not the story I want to write". So, yes, it can be an internal issue, and I agree with the observation that we can have an issue without something being wrong with us. But it doesn't have to be, and we need to investigate all avenues.
For me, there's a delicate balance between pushing myself to burnout and using mental health or other issues as an excuse. Because writing is frigging hard. I know that I sometimes use the mental health issues, for example, as an excuse to not write. Sometimes I just need a day off, or an afternoon of baking to ease the existential dread. But sometimes I need to apply butt to chair and work through the resistance I'm having. And it's really tricky (for me at least) to know the difference. But knowing the options helps :)
I agree with everything you've written there!! So much of this is about self-reflection, I think, and that's one of those skills one can practice. So hopefully, as one works through it all, it becomes easier to spot what's going on and why.
I think it’s one of those terminology problems. I used to think there’s no such thing, as in ‘writer’s block is not an ailment in its own right’. In the same way that I didn’t, as some people said, have sciatica, I had a herniated disc trapping my sciatic nerve - the sciatic pain was a symptom of something else, not an affliction that existed alone. Now I figure it has its place as a catch all term, but to get past it you usually need to figure out what it’s a symptom of. I think I’ve suffered from each of your categories impinging on my writing at one time or another.
There's definitely a terminology problem. I also see 'writer's block' as an umbrella term, and agree that the most important part of working on writer's block is working out what's causing it. I'm coming to believe that we don't separate out the different types of causes enough, so you end up with a lot of people talking at cross purposes.
I find that, for me, writing block is more complex than that. You ask about short term or long term, but I've had some and some. And I completely agree with you that it's a symptom of something else, not a cause.
There's an excellent episode of writing excuses about it. And even though they say there's no such thing as writer's block, at some point it's becoming clear that they don't like the term because it makes you feel like something is wrong with you. Instead, they suggest using "writing block" which means your writing is block not you as a person is blocked. And they go through what it may mean for your story. I found that really useful, so here's the link: https://writingexcuses.com/nanowrimo-2018-bonus-episode-with-mercedes-lackey/
Yes, you're right that writer's block is more complex than the poll I posted. When I have a bit more time I would like to run a more comprehensive survey, but I was in a bit of a rush.
I'm reading a master's thesis at the moment which looks at the terminology around writer's block – some academics use 'writing anxiety' or 'writing apprehension', with both to me sound more medicalised than 'writer's block'. But I think with something as personal as writing, it's impossible to find a term that everyone will agree on.
For me, the problem with a term like "writing block" is that it disembodies us as writers. A sink may be blocked, rather than the sink user, but when we are struggling to write, then the problem is within us, not inside the computer or pen or typewriter. That doesn't mean that there's something "wrong" with us, and I dislike the medicalisation of writer's block, but the solution is often going to be internal, whether that's an emotion or mindset we need to change, or action we need to take to change a situation we're in. There are some external factors that can cause blocks, such as socioeconomic situation, so the locus of control isn't always internal, but if we try to externalise it by default, then we'll find ourselves looking in the wrong place for solutions.
Ultimately, it's OK to recognise that the problem may be within us. That doesn't mean that something's wrong with us.
Oh, absolutely. And I think there are different kinds of writing, so we have to know what kind of writing we're trying to do. So, I may be blocked on my short story or my novel, but my morning pages are still flowing. Or the other way around. And sometimes working on something else frees the block up, like writing a short story if I'm stuck on my novel. And sometimes it doesn't work, and I just get two stories I'm stuck on. I'm sure you can relate with the number of newsletter you run :)
What I found particularly interesting in the episode I mentioned is that they talk about reasons the *story* may be stuck. Sometimes a writer's block can be a symptom of "I took the wrong turn three chapters ago and now my subconscious is telling me this is not the story I want to write". So, yes, it can be an internal issue, and I agree with the observation that we can have an issue without something being wrong with us. But it doesn't have to be, and we need to investigate all avenues.
For me, there's a delicate balance between pushing myself to burnout and using mental health or other issues as an excuse. Because writing is frigging hard. I know that I sometimes use the mental health issues, for example, as an excuse to not write. Sometimes I just need a day off, or an afternoon of baking to ease the existential dread. But sometimes I need to apply butt to chair and work through the resistance I'm having. And it's really tricky (for me at least) to know the difference. But knowing the options helps :)
I agree with everything you've written there!! So much of this is about self-reflection, I think, and that's one of those skills one can practice. So hopefully, as one works through it all, it becomes easier to spot what's going on and why.