Is Writer's Block Real?

Is Writer's Block Real?

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I can’t remember where I heard it, but the best definition I’ve ever found for “writer’s block” goes something like this: It’s the difference between how you believe your writing should sound and what you’re actually thinking about putting on the page. We’re never stuck at the beginning of a writing project because we’re incapable of typing or putting pen to paper; it’s that what we’re about to write doesn’t sound prestigious, punchy, or professional enough to the peevish editor living within our brain. So we simply don’t write anything at all. One reason this happens is that most of the writing we read is already polished. When you pick up a newspaper or novel, the written copy has already undergone significant editing. The writer likely produced numerous drafts, before receiving constructive feedback from experienced editors. Spoiler: The stories you read with your morning coffee are not in their original form. So cut yourself some slack. Ernest Hemingway said, “The only kind of writing is rewriting.” Your project will improve as you continue to revise it. The key is to get started now. Don't let the myth of writer's block keep you from starting the writing process.