For those of us who have taken a liking toward writing, it usually comes pretty easy. But then of course, when you're on a deadline and have to write something that needs to be submitted, writing can become one of the hardest things in the world. Like, yes, I can write 500 words in 10 minutes but at this current moment in time, I cannot physically think of any words that can articulate the information that needs to come out of my brain. Some call this writer's block, but one of my professors always tells us that writer's block isn't real. It's just an excuse that some writers use to extend a deadline because they're not trying hard enough.
In the beginning, you sit there staring at the page for about five minutes, simply trying to figure out what the very first word you're going to write might be. You have the topic, you have the information, but you don't have the right words.
After a little while, you stray from the place you're actually supposed to be writing and end up checking any and all forms of social media, looking at plane tickets to Brazil for a trip you'll never take and planning a wedding that won't happen for 10 years. The Internet is your oyster, what could go wrong?
About an hour or so later, you suppose it's about time to give writing another go. As the momentum builds, you know you're really on to something great this time. But then, you snap out of your writing frenzy, and the page still only has your name, the date, and maybe some of the following words, if you've even made it that far: "A." "The." "With." "When."
At some point, the pressure hits you, and you realize you have written absolutely nothing of substance but the deadline is quickly approaching. An absolute breakdown ensues, and your friends look at you like you've gone insane (because you have). They haven't seen you in a few hours and are starting to get concerned because you've been talking about this deadline for weeks now and are well aware that you haven't even started.
A lot of procrastination and maybe even a few stress-induced tears later, you have a breakthrough. It's a wonderful thing when you've been stuck for hours but then all of a sudden the words just roll off your fingertips and no one can stop you now. Of course, the amount of time actually spent writing is only about half that of the amount of time you spent being unable to get the words out.
Author's Note: I had literally no idea what to write about for my weekly article. My deadline was quickly approaching, and I had already written the start of four different articles. I hated them all. What I came up with was this article, and now I've determined that the way to get past the fictitious excuse that is writer's block is to write a post about it.
