Writers Block. (the dirty bastard)

Maybe I just need more coffee? Probably not a good idea.


See, I enjoy writing, and when I get into the groove and let the fingers talk (and like a Rorschach test, project the subconscious as my fingers type faster than the speed with which the thoughts work themselves into my consciousness), I hit an extremely satisfying stride, generating page after page of content.

“Content”, of course, being the key word: anybody could just type garbage (something kind of like what you’re reading now) on end, to no real purpose; but to generate material that other’s would actually read or that others have actually commissioned is a bit trickier of a process.

“Tricky” of course, being a key word: it is not about dedication, or hard work, but rather, a number of those intangible, annoying factors like inspiration, energy, concentration, and especially creativity. If your thoughts aren’t flowing in a creative manner, whatever comes out is almost certainly going to be garbage.

This morning, I am facing these tricky factors head on, and this is not unusual. Its just that some mornings they seem to present no road blocks at all, and so I remember those mornings when I simply wrote and wrote, being inspired, energized, concentrated, and creative. Armed with those memories, then, these other mornings when I’m not feeling so inspired etc, seem all the more difficult and hopeless. Those nagging questioning thoughts begin to emerge: “am I really a good writer?”, “can I actually do this?”, “who am I fooling?” etc, and if I don’t continue to write and struggle through them, they grow larger. In a sense I begin nurturing them, feeding into them, and validating them. But, those times when I do struggle through and keep trying, its like the creative mind begins to awaken. As if it was still asleep and needed a bit more rest before beginning the day. Then, creativity takes root and begins to grow, sprouting beautiful, unbelievable, unimaginably gorgeous prose for which I receive heaps upon heaps of praise!

Err, well, something like that anyways.

As for example, this morning, I was struggling to begin an article I’ve been wanting to write for a week now. I wasn’t feeling it, I just couldn’t write anything but the most idiotic, ungrammatically corrective sentencing possible. But now obviously I am moved beyond that and are totally in the good.

And I think to myself, “huh, I actually see a topic in this jumbled mess of mind puke; I’ll write an article about working through writer’s block.” Like that’s never been done before, but no matter. I myself haven’t done it, and really, that’s what matters.

So thank you, Dear Readers (whoever of you are still trudging through this), for suffering through my personal exercise in breaking through writer’s block.

Was it as good for you as it was for me?