This controversial thing called writer's block

Some people say it's real, and you can get over it.

Others dismiss it completely, like it's a myth that someone created, and everyone else went along with.

I would say it's a bit of both, because I (personally) have experienced both sides.

When I first started out as a writer, I didn't truly understand the meaning of "write the story you'd want to read", and so I thought the quote was cool, I had a whole folder of similar writing quotes on my phone.

But did I follow them?

Nah.

Instead, I let my psychology work its negative magic. As a result, I ended up with a first book that I published with only money in mind. I wanted to share my stories, but not just because they were mine. I had written a book based in the most popular tv shows and my favorite books and I thought that was enough to make it original, but it was too see- through. It was not a book that had a place in the publishing world.

Since then, I let all the negative comments and constructive criticism fall on top of me like bricks from a collapsing building. They covered me in dust, and I lived life with a misbelief-that writing for me wasn't enough, but writing for others wasn't enough either.

And I even continued on with the sequel to the book, hoping and praying that it would get me somewhere. But I realized I had other stories-with genuine characters and different worlds, that I wanted to write about.

I also stopped making myself try to be productive when I couldn't be. I couldn't force myself to write when my mind was elsewhere, but I also couldn't write something only to realize it was from somewhere else. It just wasn't ME.

As I am writing this, I have, within myself, gotten rid of my writer's block. I used a mix of distractions, and lighter writing focused methods to do so.

I started off with not forcing myself to write.

And then the perfectionist in me woke up, and she screamed at me like a strict military Sargent, so I got back to work.

But I was gentle with myself.

And what I mean by that is that I told myself this: If I couldn't write my book, I would pull out a thread, attach it to my book, and then make a whole other portion of that piece. I would do something that I felt was still connected to writing-maybe I would listen to a podcast and work on my series bible, or I'd read a writing craft book that touched on something that I needed to improve in my writing.

My point is, I stopped dismissing all the things that weren't directly writing, because once I started doing those things, I would eventually get inspiration to write again, or I still wouldn't have the inspiration, but I would get back to it anyway, because that is just how the writerly part of me is.

I can't help it. And if you have that part of you too, maybe it would help to listen to your emotions and your body and mind and ask yourself: What does the writer in me really need right now?

If you like my content, I'd love for you to join the fam!

Subscribe to this blog, and if you want to see more casual content from me, like book and makeup reviews, check out my other blog, Pluto's Princess!

-May