WRITER'S BLOCK: OVERCOMING "PERSPIRATION"

Sometimes I think that we writers believe we MUST suffer.  Without "perspiration" how are we to believe that we have produced a worthy product?  Without "perspiration" how are we to believe that we are truly writers?  The myth of the suffering writer is a long standing belief that is hard to relinquish.

Even in the field of exercise, it has long been believed that if there is no pain then there is no gain.  Yet, more recently, the thinking has been changing.  Gentle does it.  Push, but only until you just begin to feel discomfort… not pain.  Then, relax.

Why not apply that recently developing philosophy to writing?  In my last post I talked about having fun.  And, I said that in my experience having fun is something we, as writers, can grow into. (Unless we have it to start, and that's not typical.)  Yet, we must start somewhere.  We need to start with challenging the belief that writing need not be hard work.  Literally, that we do NOT need to "perspire."

One of the reasons I talk often about freewriting is because it is not goal directed and, therefore, does not require effort to stay on track.  Yet, it does allow for the emergence of ideas — if we keep at it.

So, when you find yourself moving towards "perspiration," you can back off and freewrite to re-energize.  Of course there are other things to do as well, but all are devoted to taking a break from the grueling process you have set in motion, often without even realizing it.

Perhaps "freewrite" and "fun" are two post-its that need to be in your writing area.  After all, what we focus on is what grows.

For more  tips on how to overcome writer's block, see OVERCOME WRITER'S BLOCK EASILY