For me it is not writer's block per se - it is the struggle between writing for myself/journaling vs publishing - there is a big diff - some may not agree but after a certain point in your writing journey, it is not about writing what you want to - your audience are looking for a certain type of articles (expectations) that they associate you with - that is why I feel it is important to not keep all the eggs in one basket - my background is in numbers but somehow I doubt my readers on Medium would be interested in me talking about statistics and such lol
Have you ever considered setting up a second profile on Medium for the alternate content? I know a few writers who have two profiles. On the other hand, you never know. Maybe some of them would enjoy, and maybe it would bring you a whole different set of followers, too
I laughed heartily while reading this. I think writing is a process that begins at poor and edits to (we hope) excellent. I think of it like sanding or planing.
I agree with Mr. Gaiman. Even on my novel I don’t write linearly. I sometimes write a scene from the beginning. When I dry up I write a scene from the end or a scene I think I might use and haven’t found a place for. Sometimes writing is just a matter of opening doors and taking chances. We so often create rules about how the process is supposed to go. Why must it be linear? Why must I have the plot sorted? Why must I write it in order? Isn’t the purpose of writing to go exploring?
I love this, Roman. I don't write linearly either. Not even on essays. Sometimes I'll have several shitty drafts and realize parts from one go into another. Which adds to making a case for being neurotic. Which, apparently, isn't actually nutbar. lol. Glad you enjoyed my Canadian humor.
As a writer who doesn’t get writer’s block I thought it was interesting that the writers you quote don’t get it. My theory is that they treat what we do as a profession, not a hobby. We know that we are not always going to write beautiful prose but we also know that when you do, it is usually an almost unconscious act based on practice. So you keep practicing. And publishing because writers have to have readers…
I suppose it's also different writing essays compared to books. You know? Write a couple of pages for a book and if they suck, they just don't make it into the book. Different animal when a person is publishing essays.
Well, after nine non-fiction books I know editors have your back which is seldom the case with online publishing. But when you write non-fiction book projects you’ve basically done a very detailed outline to sell the book proposal so it’s half written. Btw, walks are good for clearing the head!
Yes, I get stuck and feel fallow. Neurotic? Of course. By the definition you found, anyone alive and aware today is neurotic at best. But on we stumble, and I've learned that if I stop mentally flogging myself, eventually I'll get back to work. And by eventually, I mean in an hour, or even a few minutes.
What a delightful thought Jan. We're all neurotic sometimes. I find that washing dishes often gives me ideas. I feel like that's a conspiracy somehow. Do men get ideas when they wash the dishes? lol. Bubble baths, too, but washing dishes is faster.
Now I understand this fallow period. It's not my fault; it's moving to a house with a working dishwasher. Mmm, I do get inspirations while putting the dishes away, but the time is too short for anything to take hold.
thank you. such a good essay. 'plumbers don't get plumbers block' made me LOL.and I have gone down several rabbit holes myself in reading it, including buying a copy of Bukowski's book.
I mostly write longhand, and when nothing makes sense, I draw. I can look back at my notebooks and where I see writing surrounded by line drawings, I know I was struggling. Does it get me moving again? Not always, but it engages my brain a bit differently and I find that helpful.
I found I'm more productive if I write my articles before reading the comments from the previous day. I get tired. Physical exhaustion is what stops us from writing. In the morning, I'm good to go again. Nice post, I liked all the quotes!
Way, way back I thought it sounded like an excuse. Then I thought well I have never ever had it, nor had I ever eaten a truffle or flown a helicopter.... hmmmm,,,, so what would I know ? Too busy writing to believe OR disbelieve, but if it's real then you have my support. Peace, Maurice
For me it is not writer's block per se - it is the struggle between writing for myself/journaling vs publishing - there is a big diff - some may not agree but after a certain point in your writing journey, it is not about writing what you want to - your audience are looking for a certain type of articles (expectations) that they associate you with - that is why I feel it is important to not keep all the eggs in one basket - my background is in numbers but somehow I doubt my readers on Medium would be interested in me talking about statistics and such lol
Have you ever considered setting up a second profile on Medium for the alternate content? I know a few writers who have two profiles. On the other hand, you never know. Maybe some of them would enjoy, and maybe it would bring you a whole different set of followers, too
I laughed heartily while reading this. I think writing is a process that begins at poor and edits to (we hope) excellent. I think of it like sanding or planing.
I agree with Mr. Gaiman. Even on my novel I don’t write linearly. I sometimes write a scene from the beginning. When I dry up I write a scene from the end or a scene I think I might use and haven’t found a place for. Sometimes writing is just a matter of opening doors and taking chances. We so often create rules about how the process is supposed to go. Why must it be linear? Why must I have the plot sorted? Why must I write it in order? Isn’t the purpose of writing to go exploring?
I love this, Roman. I don't write linearly either. Not even on essays. Sometimes I'll have several shitty drafts and realize parts from one go into another. Which adds to making a case for being neurotic. Which, apparently, isn't actually nutbar. lol. Glad you enjoyed my Canadian humor.
I think “neuroticism” is a performance trait in writing.
Wish I could clap 50 times for that. Look! You see me. lol
Maybe you could do captivating standup as a side hustle in your spare time... Peace, Maurice
What I have is a traffic jam of ideas in my head, with construction blocking most of the road and a fair number of the drivers having road rage.
lmao David. I take that road some days, too.
As a writer who doesn’t get writer’s block I thought it was interesting that the writers you quote don’t get it. My theory is that they treat what we do as a profession, not a hobby. We know that we are not always going to write beautiful prose but we also know that when you do, it is usually an almost unconscious act based on practice. So you keep practicing. And publishing because writers have to have readers…
I suppose it's also different writing essays compared to books. You know? Write a couple of pages for a book and if they suck, they just don't make it into the book. Different animal when a person is publishing essays.
Well, after nine non-fiction books I know editors have your back which is seldom the case with online publishing. But when you write non-fiction book projects you’ve basically done a very detailed outline to sell the book proposal so it’s half written. Btw, walks are good for clearing the head!
Yes, I get stuck and feel fallow. Neurotic? Of course. By the definition you found, anyone alive and aware today is neurotic at best. But on we stumble, and I've learned that if I stop mentally flogging myself, eventually I'll get back to work. And by eventually, I mean in an hour, or even a few minutes.
What a delightful thought Jan. We're all neurotic sometimes. I find that washing dishes often gives me ideas. I feel like that's a conspiracy somehow. Do men get ideas when they wash the dishes? lol. Bubble baths, too, but washing dishes is faster.
Now I understand this fallow period. It's not my fault; it's moving to a house with a working dishwasher. Mmm, I do get inspirations while putting the dishes away, but the time is too short for anything to take hold.
thank you. such a good essay. 'plumbers don't get plumbers block' made me LOL.and I have gone down several rabbit holes myself in reading it, including buying a copy of Bukowski's book.
I mostly write longhand, and when nothing makes sense, I draw. I can look back at my notebooks and where I see writing surrounded by line drawings, I know I was struggling. Does it get me moving again? Not always, but it engages my brain a bit differently and I find that helpful.
I found I'm more productive if I write my articles before reading the comments from the previous day. I get tired. Physical exhaustion is what stops us from writing. In the morning, I'm good to go again. Nice post, I liked all the quotes!
Way, way back I thought it sounded like an excuse. Then I thought well I have never ever had it, nor had I ever eaten a truffle or flown a helicopter.... hmmmm,,,, so what would I know ? Too busy writing to believe OR disbelieve, but if it's real then you have my support. Peace, Maurice