Every once in awhile, I post about my book: Why Am I Stuck? Powerful Help for Stuck Writers. I know this is an important and helpful topic for writers, bec this post gets shared. A Lot.  Someone tags a friend with three exclamation points!!! Or shares it to their page bec they can really relate.
But before very long, someone also comments with the following:

There’s no such thing as writer’s block.

And invariably they evoke the example of a plumber (or similar tradesman) and do you really think they get plumber’s block? No. They show up for work. Do the work. Writing is no different, the commenter insists.
All of my years as a writer, and years as a coach and creativity expert tell me different: Plumbers don’t seemingly suffer a lot of self-doubt. Nor do they try to be original, loveable, or brilliant as they repipe a kitchen sink.  Writer’s block is real. And pervasive. What is important for people to understand about it though, it is caused by different triggers for different people.
Writer’s block is not always staring agonizingly at a blank page. The agony can come to different people at different phases of their writing. But, stuck is stuck and stuck hurts.

What kind of “writer’s block” do you experience?

Writer’s block is ancient and been understood by writers and other creative types forever. The most common iteration is the blank page! No ideas. Blank mind, taunting monotony and self doubt.

But then some of us have way too many ideas! Very soon, even as we feel shitty complaining about this embarrassment of riches, we get overwhelmed and don’t know where to start.

For real or emotional reasons, sometimes we just don’t make it a priority. (As if emotional reasons aren’t “real.”) But there are times in life when you’re actually too busy to write, and then there’s the rest of the time – when we could find time and motivation.

This is the “Plumber” argument. They show up and work. And yes, you have to write to write. And it is hard work.

Often, there are specific psychological things at work that increase your resistance to the work.

This is my area of expertise! Helping you see and accept how your own creativity works – and sometimes doesn’t – so you have greater compassion and control for yourself and can get yourself writing your best work.

Screwed up is such a harsh way of seeing it. We are weirdos. In fact, writers are the best weirdos. We have something to say, share, explain or make readers see. We feel compelled to do that bec that POV is not already out there. We feel only we can express this, and the world needs us.

Some of us LOVE the writing but ABHOR the rewrite. It’s tedious – nay impossible – to edit and perfect, or so it feels. Self-doubt, self judgement can creep in. Or your eyes can glaze over as you get overwhelmed by the enormity and complexity of the task.

Others revel in the complexity – live there cosily, making changes – and never finish. Perfectionists cannot let it go – and that’s another kind of “stuck.”

We’re out of ideas, too many ideas, love the complexity, overwhelmed, perfectionist, vulnerable, grieving, busy, self-doubting and fearful. It’s a wonder we ever string two words together.

Each of those kinds of “stuck” indicate a different strength and weakness within the creative process. And each kind of stuck has a crowbar – figuratively speaking – that can help you recognize your predicament, and get yourself free.

It’s hard to do it alone. You can get help. Join the free 5-day Write Without the Fight challenge. If you joined this Challenge back in November (before I fell and broke my arm) you are still registered, and you’ll get an email from me very soon.

Writing is a lonely sport, but you can have your own coach and cheering section.

Let’s get over writer’s block – in whatever form it visits you – and just write.