Ah, Writer’s Block, Not A Writer? I Betcha You Can Relate
There’s this thing called writer’s block.
It’s that blank page, blank screen and a blinking cursor, taunting you, demanding you say something divine. Daring you to erupt greatness on the bare canvas of —
—What the f- am I even writing?
It’s the thought that spins and takes over until all other words and coherence leave the being of you and all that remains is a puddle of —
—oh, sh*t!
And that’s when my phone rings, my email chimes, alarms go off.
See I’m the writer who gets called in to save the proverbial word-day. I’m the one who steps in when a once-prolific writer crashes and starts a slow (or fast) burn.
Perhaps due to the pressure of a deadline, meeting expectations on a follow-up book, or simply drawing a blank.
When this happens, I put on my cape and transform into The Word Doctress.
And I rise to the call with purple pen in hand like my chosen sword because I so get Writer’s Block but on a different level.
Mine was the hiccup of Life Block.
The what the f- am I even doing here? moments. That’s what I call Life Block.
Maybe you’ve experienced it.
Swam in its depths,
spun in it’s fast-cycle
and felt like you’ve all but disappeared into the quicksand of endless thoughts,
Could-have, would-have, should-haves
From the pressure the unknown exudes.
It’s that thing that has you questioning in the dead of night... and the stark light of day...
Why am I here?
What is my purpose?
Is there a reason for all this?
Just like the writer asks...
What does my book even mean?
Why am I even writing it?
Who’s gonna read it?
What if it’s not as good as..?
As The Word Doctress, I step in and literally start waving my magic, purple ink like fairy dust, cut through the crap that is the blocked-writer’s-mind, and get to the root of their sh*t.
And no, I don’t dress up in a cute-ass-white-lab-coat with lace garter belt and silk unmentionables underneath, but if it floats your boat to think about…who am I to stop your imagination.
Because honestly, that’s all writing is...
That’s all life is…
Imagination.
It’s taking words and creating a feeling.
It’s imagining something and then translating it onto the page for another to absorb -- or ignore.
And being perfectly down with either-or.
That’s how I see life.
Some people will love what you do and some won’t.
When I step in to help out a fellow Word Wizard, the thing we end up working on is not their plot, their character and dialogue or their non-fiction topic.
Nope, it’s much more important, vulnerable and basic.
We talk life.
Why they’re in their head.
What’s got them scared and shaking in their proverbial boots?
Because frankly, what I’ve found is that Writer’s Block is really another version of Life Block.
So my role in that moment is not to save the day with my own words, but allow them to save themselves.
I’m all but spitting out my cup-o-joe as I sit here overlooking the sea, just now realizing that I’ve been a Writing Coach to the Writers.
Funny how we don’t see what’s so clearly in front of us.
Much like what happens for a writer at a sudden loss for words.
The fact is I have been a coach to some very amazing writers who’ve stumbled on their word-path and simply needed a helping hand.
We all need that at some point, do we not?
I sure did — with my life block.
So I get it. I feel into it. And I am able to shed light where needed, hold up a delicate mirror where helpful, and offer just the right key in the best moment to fit that sticky-lock that’s shut down one’s creative flow.
Plus, I sprinkle a dash of JOY back into their writer-life because frankly, everyone needs more JOY.
Because, real writers, we write to write. Period. Full stop.
We don’t write to be read.
We don’t write for the numbers.
We don’t even write for the impact our words may or may not have.
No, we write because we can’t f-ing help it.
Like for real.
Me. Deserted island. Only three things. Endless supply of paper, ink and a waterproof room to house my words. Sorry, chocolate.
Ooops, wonder if I can I bring the Fabulous Frenchman with his three can’t live without items as a bonus?
When a writer writes they get lost in the words, the characters and the story they are telling. And it matters not if it’s fiction or non.
When a writer is in flow, time stands still and flies by all in the same moment.
That’s being in the zone.
A place where there is no writer’s block nor life block.
Because the words simply are.
One simply allows.
And from that place there is this delicious peace.
This untapped joy.
This delight is what’s possible.
And when a writer is blocked.
Well, they are no longer writing from that place that caused them to write in the first place. They have moved from their soul, their heart, their essence and being the conduit...into their head.
To outcomes.
To profit.
To numbers.
To comparison.
To worry.
To judgment.
To fear.
To doubt.
And that writer, that person, no longer trusts the only thing that matters.
Themselves.
See when you’re in your head, you can’t imagine fully.
When you’re in your head, you can’t tap into that inner guidance we all have as a birthright.
And writing, like life, is a gift.
Writing is a gift… if you’re a writer, you can probably relate.
And life, this life, your life … if you’re not a writer but can relate, is very much a gift.
It’s profound, precious and should be treasured, loved and cared for, but so often we take it for granted, brushing off the wins like crumbs off our lap from that fifth cookie stuffed in one’s mouth without full awareness.
Been there done that. What about you?
So, I’m picking up my mug-o-green-tea, curling up in my comfy spot because it’s time for you to now tell me all about you.
Who are you?
The writer stuck in Writer’s Block hell
Maybe the writer who’s itching to start filling that blank screen but simply doesn’t know how, a block all it’s own!
Or a delicate soul so hearing my words - Life Block - resonate within your core.
It’s time to raise your hand high and with a wave or delicately with the pose of a queen, and speak the language of you.
What if your life.. was delicious.?
Gosh, makes me smile wide, what about you..?
Photo Credit: Velizar Ivanov @lycan
