Whether you're a novelist, a poet, a journalist, or you're an Odyssey content creator like me, you experience writer's block. It's the menace of creative minds everywhere. What was once a bright mind overflowing with ideas has nothing left to give. The pen has gone stagnant. It's a tumultuous time in a writers' life. Here are the stages of writer's block.

1. The Declining Efficiency

You've been at it for days, writing away to your heart's content, making pure gold.

You're a machine! You're writing the next best seller! Fireworks are going off! This is what writing is all about!

... And then things start to change. You're suddenly not working as fast. Your mind can't put the words together. You're pausing to think of what to say next.

Writer's block has commenced.

2. The Desperate Thinking

You can feel yourself slowing down. Not a good sign. But not all hope is lost! Maybe this isn't writer's block, you think to yourself. You know there's got to be something good in that brain of yours. So you sit and think in a feeble attempt to gain your momentum back.

3. The Terrible Realization

Despite your determined thinking, you've come up with nothing. You realize that you have officially hit writer's block. You're overcome with emotion as you look at the wonderful work you just completed, knowing that it'll be a long time before you write something that good again. The fireworks are gone. The bestseller looks farther away than ever. You're a mess.

4. The Frustration of Self

You're past the point of sadness, and have moved on to frustration. All of this hard work you've put in, and this is what you've come to, unable to produce a single sentence worth anybody's time, the pure gold nothing but a memory? Why has your brain does this to you? What did you do to deserve this?

(You didn't do anything).

5. The Walk-Away

It's officially time to stop trying. You've done what you can for the moment, and you're too pissed off to write anything even remotely fascinating now. Who cares about finishing it anyways?

6. The Extended Break

Okay. You've calmed down a little bit. The initial emotions of writer's block have worn off, but you know you're not out of the woods yet. So it's time to take a break. Recharge your mind. Find your creativity. Take all the time you need.

7. The Renewed Determination

Break time is over. Let's get down to business.

You've got this.

You can do it.

You are a warrior.

8. The Fall

Or maybe not.

9. The Big Idea

FINALLY! After antagonizing over your work for much too long, the idea has arrived. You have reached salvation. You are over the hump. The genius is back!

10. The Conclusion

Congratulations. Your writer's block is over. The fireworks are back.

Time to get back to work on your bestseller.