WRITER'S BLOCK: NO TIME?

No time to write?  Or is this just another name for fear?  Usually, it is thought that having no time to write means you are afraid.  Truly motivated writers find the time.  Scott Turow used to write on the train to work and back, when he was practicing law.   Kafka was a clerk who worked full time.  Philip Roth is known to have advised would be writers not to commit to full time writing until or if you can make a living from it.  Specifically he advised NOT to quite your full time job to write.

So fear can certainly be a reason to not find the time to write.  Still, we need to consider that some people who say they want to write, but don't have the time have higher priorities than writing.  Even though JK Rowling wrote the first Harry Potter book despite being a single parent on government assistance, this is NOT typical.  Her dedication reflects the importance of writing in her life.

There is nothing wrong about wanting to write and not having it as the highest priority.  However, unless writing is a number one priority, it is unlikely that the writing will get done.  In part, this is because we humans are simply wired to do what we consider most important.  In part it's because unless writing is a number one priority there will likely not be enough energy available to overcome fear.  Or there may be many fears.  If you want to be published, then the fear of success or failure looms large.

So, in reality, not having enough time usually means that writing is not a number one priority, or that the fear(s) is too great.  Not only does writing take courage as I discussed in the last post, but as well, writing takes perseverance.

In my own writing experience and writing coaching experience, I have found that while writing is fun, gratifying and meaningful, it is not for the faint hearted.  But, as a writing coach, I have seen over and over that perseverance can be developed.  And that all who enter the game and stay the course are pleased they did.

For more on overcoming writer's block, see OVERCOME WRITER'S BLOCK EASILY.