C.S. Elston

Worshipper, Husband, Author, Screenwriter, Home Cook, Fan

Writer’s Block – Real Problem or Mere Myth?

By

Let’s immediately get something out of the way, I can’t stand the term “writer’s block.” Perhaps it’s the connotations that come with the word block. I think of words like “blockade” and maybe the closest phrase, “mental block.” This conjures up images of total isolation and permanence. Because of this, the answer to the proposed question is that I tend to think of “writer’s block” as essentially a myth. Or, maybe even an excuse to be lazy and procrastinate.

Don’t get me wrong, some pages a lot easier than others. But, if you grind it out, you always get through the tough ones. Sometimes, it is even necessary to walk away. I’ll often go workout or take a shower so that I can think about what’s slowing me down. Most of the time, I have it figured out by the time I’m back in front of the laptop. It just takes some mental wrestling. Typically, that fight makes it all better anyway.

Occasionally, an artist just needs inspiration. This can be obtained from any number of sources. Do whatever it takes: A walk in the woods, a lengthy prayer, some journaling at the beach, or, maybe you need the inspiration that another artist can provide – a song with a similar feeling to the one you’re trying to write about. Perhaps I’ll do a post on inspirations for writing down the road.

For now, just know that you’re not alone when you hit a page that causes you fits. We all go through that. It’s one of the reasons I struggle with rules that writer’s often put on themselves. I’m sure it helps some. But, for me, it feels unrealistic. Rules and boundaries can stimulate creativity. But, they can also stifle it.

I happen to be naturally self-disciplined. So, I need to give myself freedom. It’s far more helpful than boxing myself in would be. But, that’s not true for everyone. I know a lot of writers that demand 10 pages a day from themselves. I can’t do that. Today, 20 pages might pour out of me and tomorrow it could be an excruciating exercise in self-torture to crank out 5. I think that’s okay. The pace for writing each chapter or scene is bound to be different.

As long as the inconsistent pace doesn’t become an excuse, I’m fine with some days being more difficult and seeming less productive than others. Some of those “less productive” days, for me, have paradoxically been the most productive because I’ve written the least but I’ve also written the best. Every writer is different. Every piece of writing is different. Find your own balance of freedom and boundaries. Figure out what works for you and helps you accomplish your goals.

In the end, the grind is part of the process and it’s the quality of the work that matters most. At least, that’s true for me. That’s why I tend to think of “writer’s block” as little more than a myth.

5 Books I Think Would Impact Me As A Writer But I Haven’t Read Yet

By


Alright, I’ll admit it. This is kind of a weird topic for a blog post. But, there are many books that consistently get recommended to me and I haven’t gotten around to reading them all yet. I’ve read a lot of them (some good, some not so much) but, for whatever reason, there are a few that I just haven’t tackled. Several are even sitting on my bookshelf just waiting to be read. So, this is a list of the books I know I should read, and intend to at some point, to get better at my craft.

  1. The Classic Guide To Better Writing by Rudolf Flesch


From what I understand, this is about getting back to basics and remembering that sometimes simple is better. The “back to basics” is probably one of the reasons I have put off taking the time to go through this book. However, even professional athletes need to return to the fundamentals from time to time. I’m told this is a must read for writers at all levels.

  1. On Becoming A Novelist by John Gardner

John Gardner has written several books on the craft of writing but, I’m told that this is the most important. It also contains a quote about the writer’s gift that I have loved ever since I read it on the wall of the tasting room at the Redhook Brewery while on a tour about fifteen years ago.

  1. The Sense of Style: The Thinking Person’s Gide to Writing in the 21st Century by Steven Pinker

This is, apparently, a contemporary approach to good writing that helps the reader understand the importance of writing clearly while teaching them how to know when to follow the “rules” and when to ignore them.

  1. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

Of every book on this list, this is probably the one I can’t believe I haven’t read yet. It’s a masterclass by one of the most prolific and popular authors of all time. I must read this book! Almost everyone else has, it’s sold over a million copies for crying out loud!

  1. The Elements of Style by Jr. William Strunk

This is an absolute classic and it’s embarrassing (not quite as embarrassing as the Stephen King book though) that I haven’t read it. It’s short, too. So, there aren’t any good excuses. Almost every writer I know has this on their shelf.