For too long writers have suffered from the stigma of “writer’s block”, a condition where they stop writing and can’t continue for some reason. Even some writers will ridicule their colleagues until they too suffer from writer’s block. Some sufferers report that even their families or partners sometimes ridicule them. Many suffer in silence because they fear the scorn of others. The total number of writers who suffer may never be known.
The public has called them lazy or stupid. They often offer ill-advised advice like just write or take a break. As a sufferer myself, I can say it isn’t that easy. Trying to write daily or frequently isn’t at all easy. Trying to come up with original material or clever words is a lot of pressure to place on a writer. Many writers already suffer from low self-esteem.
Usually, writer’s block is a temporary ailment and may soon pass. However, in rare cases it may last for months or even years. Some writers have been known to change careers or just give up. Unfortunately, there is no quick cure and no permanent solution. Writer’s block has been known to reoccur. No writer is immune.
If you or someone you know suffers from this malady, please do not criticize, ridicule or laugh at the writer. Studies have shown that most often when non-writers try to help, they make matters worse by placing more pressure on the writer. If you want to help, just be supportive and encouraging. Do not assign a word count or withhold coffee, food or sex. Don’t lock them in their room. Do provide coffee, food, personal space and sex. (Writers need lots of sex.) Do not buy dictionaries or a thesaurus for them; that just add insult to injury.
Writers with writer’s block may need medical help. Encourage them to get a physical to determine if they have completely lost their minds. (This often happens to fiction writers.) Perhaps they are suffering from other ailments like arthritis, carpal tunnel, or brain farts. It’s not unusual to discover writers who get so involved with their writing that they are malnourished, hooked on coffee or no-doze, hallucinating from lack of sleep (This may be hard to detect in fantasy and sci-fi writers) or dehydrated from lack of water. It often helps to inspect their workspace to ensure that their computer(s) and printers work, they have a good chair, and proper lighting.
Pleased help to stop the stigma associated with writer’s block. Thank you.
The public has called them lazy or stupid. They often offer ill-advised advice like just write or take a break. As a sufferer myself, I can say it isn’t that easy. Trying to write daily or frequently isn’t at all easy. Trying to come up with original material or clever words is a lot of pressure to place on a writer. Many writers already suffer from low self-esteem.
Usually, writer’s block is a temporary ailment and may soon pass. However, in rare cases it may last for months or even years. Some writers have been known to change careers or just give up. Unfortunately, there is no quick cure and no permanent solution. Writer’s block has been known to reoccur. No writer is immune.
If you or someone you know suffers from this malady, please do not criticize, ridicule or laugh at the writer. Studies have shown that most often when non-writers try to help, they make matters worse by placing more pressure on the writer. If you want to help, just be supportive and encouraging. Do not assign a word count or withhold coffee, food or sex. Don’t lock them in their room. Do provide coffee, food, personal space and sex. (Writers need lots of sex.) Do not buy dictionaries or a thesaurus for them; that just add insult to injury.
Writers with writer’s block may need medical help. Encourage them to get a physical to determine if they have completely lost their minds. (This often happens to fiction writers.) Perhaps they are suffering from other ailments like arthritis, carpal tunnel, or brain farts. It’s not unusual to discover writers who get so involved with their writing that they are malnourished, hooked on coffee or no-doze, hallucinating from lack of sleep (This may be hard to detect in fantasy and sci-fi writers) or dehydrated from lack of water. It often helps to inspect their workspace to ensure that their computer(s) and printers work, they have a good chair, and proper lighting.
Pleased help to stop the stigma associated with writer’s block. Thank you.
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