Back when I was in college, I belonged to one of those
professional associations for the video industry. (I was a
student member.) The monthly newsletter had a column called
*Writer*s Block.* Although called Writer*s Block, no one ever
wrote about this mysterious and debilitating condition. So,
finally, one day I decided to tackle the subject.

I don*t remember much about the article except it seemed to be
about eating chocolate, taking walks and not doing much writing
(it was supposed to be tongue in cheek). I don*t think it turned
out as successful as I had hoped.

Anyway, my point is this -- while I still eat lots of chocolate
and take lots of walks, I*ve also been forced to wrestle with
that particular nightmare many a time. And in those wrestling
matches, I*ve learned a few moves that might help you in your
own struggles.

First, I*ve come to view writer*s block as a friend more than an
enemy. Okay, maybe friend is too strong. An ally. (Okay, maybe
he*s a really mean ally, but an ally all the same.)

Writer*s block isn*t about the writing. Writer*s block isn*t
telling you you can*t write or you*ll never write again or
you*ll never have another idea again. Writer*s block is telling
you something else is wrong, and you need to deal with that
something before you can get down to the business of writing.

Now, when I say writer*s block, what I*m talking about is the
inability to write. You have no idea where to start, no idea
where the project is going, or maybe you have no ideas at all.
That*s true writer*s block, not to be confused with writer*s
procrastination. Writer*s procrastination is when you know what
you want to be writing (or should be writing) yet you*ve somehow
lost the ability to sit in a chair and type. Oh, but you can
still check e-mail. And surf the Web. And lots of other tasks
that have nothing to do with the writing project you should be
doing. But try and start that project -- you*ll just fall right
off that chair.

I*ve had more than my share of encounters with that particular
fellow as well, and I*m planning to share tips on beating
writer*s procrastination in future issues. (Trust me, you
need to beat writer*s procrastination. He is the enemy and
he*s evil.)

But writer*s block is different. Writer*s block says there*s a
problem. Writer*s block says you haven*t researched this project
enough or you haven*t thought this through enough or you*re
missing crucial information. Maybe your approach is all wrong.
Maybe you should be writing a Web site and not a brochure for
your business. Maybe you*re trying to force a book-sized idea
into an article-sized container and it just doesn*t fit.

If your ideas have suddenly dried up, maybe writer*s block is
telling you to take it easy. You*ve been working too hard -- you
need to take time and recharge your creative batteries. Or maybe
you haven*t dealt with some old hurt or anger and you need to
take some time and deal with that block.

Writer*s block also might be telling you the project is all
wrong for you. (Although be careful with the last one --
writer*s procrastination is a wonderful mimic and he might
be trying to slip something past you.)

When I*m stuck, the first thing I do is get away from the
computer. I take a walk, jump in the shower (I get a lot of
great ideas in the shower) or eat some chocolate. (Some things
never change.) I think about the project. I review my notes. I
analyze what I*m doing. And I ask myself questions. Do I have
all the information I need? Should I do more research? Is my
approach right? Have I thought this project through enough?

Sometimes I can spot the problem in a few minutes. Sometimes
it takes a few days. But always, without fail, I*ve discovered
writer*s block was right. There WAS a serious problem with the
project. A fatal flaw in the foundation -- a weakness in the
structure. Eventually, it would have collapsed.

And by stepping in, your writer*s block stopped that from
happening.

Creativity Exercises -- Make friends with writer*s block

I realize this might be a scary exercise for some of you,
especially if you*re in the throes of writer*s block (and I*ve
been there -- I know how terrifying it is) but that*s all the
more reason to do this.

Now, when I say make friends with your writer*s block, I*m not
talking about inviting it to move in and existing in a permanent
blocked state. What I*m talking about is a way to put writer*s
block in its rightful place -- where it uses its talents to help
and not harm you.

Take a few moments and thank your writer*s block. Thank it for
all the times it blocked you. Tell it you know it was trying to
help you and you appreciate it.

Whatever you do, DON�T fear your writer*s block. You give it
too much power if you fear it. Power corrupts. You don*t want
to corrupt your writer*s block, you want it to do its job --
helping you craft the best writing pieces you can.

If you*re in the middle of a bad case of writer*s block, try
asking your writer*s block what the problem is. Why won*t it
let you start that project or what happened to your ideas?
Do it as a journaling exercise or a meditation. You may be
amazed at what it tells you.


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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Michele Pariza Wacek owns Creative Concepts and Copywriting, a
writing, marketing and creativity agency. She offers two free
e-newsletters that help subscribers combine their creativity
with hard-hitting marketing and copywriting principles to become
more successful at attracting new clients, selling products
and services and boosting business. She can be reached at:
http://www.writingusa.com Copyright � 2005 Michele Pariza Wacek