On Writer's Block
Start writing a post
Entertainment

On Writer's Block

A tale of creative struggle told in gifs.

Ryan DiFalco
Sep 08, 2015
Stonehill College
52
On Writer's Block
Wodpress

There are so many wonderful things about being a writer.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F09%2F07%2F635772040577374380-1819203888_pusheen.gif&ho=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com&s=715&h=f4e461a2ada4f853b3779a32fa9a4857787904c5e6a9c44eb3bb9d951f60e8fe&size=980x&c=1356856137 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2015%252F09%252F07%252F635772040577374380-1819203888_pusheen.gif%26ho%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com%26s%3D715%26h%3Df4e461a2ada4f853b3779a32fa9a4857787904c5e6a9c44eb3bb9d951f60e8fe%26size%3D980x%26c%3D1356856137%22%7D" expand=1]

You can create worlds, traverse cultures, inform the world, share an opinion, change minds, alter history.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F09%2F07%2F635772031637487914-1196092109_tumblr_static_tumblr_inline_mm7c5vfavl1qz4rgp.gif&ho=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com&s=958&h=d52f43a542c82a36344ce7f750bb8234960846757fd18e16f208ccac48867475&size=980x&c=781601307 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2015%252F09%252F07%252F635772031637487914-1196092109_tumblr_static_tumblr_inline_mm7c5vfavl1qz4rgp.gif%26ho%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com%26s%3D958%26h%3Dd52f43a542c82a36344ce7f750bb8234960846757fd18e16f208ccac48867475%26size%3D980x%26c%3D781601307%22%7D" expand=1]

In a lot of ways, being a writer, particularly a good one, is a position of incredible power.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F09%2F07%2F6357720373607761491396730273_jafar.gif&ho=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com&s=243&h=d9c126cd9e3f73c167c1303943de231cdd24c534e3c78c548257148aa066196e&size=980x&c=2880250610 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2015%252F09%252F07%252F6357720373607761491396730273_jafar.gif%26ho%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com%26s%3D243%26h%3Dd9c126cd9e3f73c167c1303943de231cdd24c534e3c78c548257148aa066196e%26size%3D980x%26c%3D2880250610%22%7D" expand=1]

That is, until writer's block hits.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F09%2F07%2F635772035517332096268762705_vampire%2520.gif&ho=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com&s=667&h=eca8b7bbb0b8746ed074f1aaba0891064517c49b3fe199bbcc2d0662a1d94cce&size=980x&c=443080715 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2015%252F09%252F07%252F635772035517332096268762705_vampire%252520.gif%26ho%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com%26s%3D667%26h%3Deca8b7bbb0b8746ed074f1aaba0891064517c49b3fe199bbcc2d0662a1d94cce%26size%3D980x%26c%3D443080715%22%7D" expand=1]

It starts off innocent enough; you sit down, ready to begin your next piece, your potential world-changing article, the great American novel.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F09%2F07%2F635772007494184422-98950927_drumming.gif&ho=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com&s=656&h=01fb051d5d8793eda787ea7c7efb305ab6f469c2498d09dc0513e4a8ffe944dd&size=980x&c=364249390 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2015%252F09%252F07%252F635772007494184422-98950927_drumming.gif%26ho%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com%26s%3D656%26h%3D01fb051d5d8793eda787ea7c7efb305ab6f469c2498d09dc0513e4a8ffe944dd%26size%3D980x%26c%3D364249390%22%7D" expand=1]

You start to type it out, pouring your heart and soul into every word. Your spirits are high, things are going well...

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F09%2F07%2F635772009084498183-236770392_jim%2520carey.gif&ho=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com&s=668&h=2525e15240b0d20d408d6008a52edc0a7a10ae2dc67ed961bf351e5312d022a6&size=980x&c=3865826032 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2015%252F09%252F07%252F635772009084498183-236770392_jim%252520carey.gif%26ho%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com%26s%3D668%26h%3D2525e15240b0d20d408d6008a52edc0a7a10ae2dc67ed961bf351e5312d022a6%26size%3D980x%26c%3D3865826032%22%7D" expand=1]

... that is until you realize that you've written the same paragraph six different times with varying emphasis and forms.


After a decent amount of this tedious back and forth, you decide that maybe a change of scenery will draw the inspiration out of you. You get a cup of coffee, maybe you're just tired.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F09%2F07%2F635772021880085343-2022048324_tumblr_m2qnu2nu7i1qeweuno1_1280.gif&ho=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com&s=59&h=0ea75efcb2d43b3aaed4c2a4e063a86927e6d2269becba29f8b8bfd167dd7eb9&size=980x&c=4239564855 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2015%252F09%252F07%252F635772021880085343-2022048324_tumblr_m2qnu2nu7i1qeweuno1_1280.gif%26ho%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com%26s%3D59%26h%3D0ea75efcb2d43b3aaed4c2a4e063a86927e6d2269becba29f8b8bfd167dd7eb9%26size%3D980x%26c%3D4239564855%22%7D" expand=1]

You sit down and resume your battle with the written word, attempting to make it bend to your will, when really that blinking cursor just stares, unmoving, openly mocking you. The bane of your existence.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F09%2F07%2F635772035293758946-1508906298_writer-s-block-o.gif&ho=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com&s=264&h=b98588e452181d4c26d69cb941bd9995b6a02ec9b76da454cd484a86c721f5a4&size=980x&c=2123850946 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2015%252F09%252F07%252F635772035293758946-1508906298_writer-s-block-o.gif%26ho%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com%26s%3D264%26h%3Db98588e452181d4c26d69cb941bd9995b6a02ec9b76da454cd484a86c721f5a4%26size%3D980x%26c%3D2123850946%22%7D" expand=1]

So you begin, once again, to write. If for no other reason than to prove to yourself (and the other people around you) that you are indeed a writer. Gotta preserve your image, after all.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F09%2F07%2F6357720392747632091387207797_tumblr_mimug5E3W81s5lf2ro1_500.gif&ho=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com&s=188&h=d1fce123528f8ed3ace6fcc32299f9dcaf94ea58ce251c7383c2e232eecde1b4&size=980x&c=1892731136 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2015%252F09%252F07%252F6357720392747632091387207797_tumblr_mimug5E3W81s5lf2ro1_500.gif%26ho%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com%26s%3D188%26h%3Dd1fce123528f8ed3ace6fcc32299f9dcaf94ea58ce251c7383c2e232eecde1b4%26size%3D980x%26c%3D1892731136%22%7D" expand=1]

You feel good about your progress, so you take a break to reread what you hope is a masterpiece, and realize that you were basically doing this:

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F09%2F07%2F635772047567166796-74692138_Ron-Swanson-Every-Word-I-Know.gif&ho=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com&s=428&h=5944ab721051ec45539e61ac539ff348b4dc02bfc52a97e33dbb100e19565089&size=980x&c=3176727202 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2015%252F09%252F07%252F635772047567166796-74692138_Ron-Swanson-Every-Word-I-Know.gif%26ho%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com%26s%3D428%26h%3D5944ab721051ec45539e61ac539ff348b4dc02bfc52a97e33dbb100e19565089%26size%3D980x%26c%3D3176727202%22%7D" expand=1]

A little dejected, realizing that time stopped mattering to you hours ago, you pack up and head home for the day.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F09%2F07%2F635772051954963894-602746688_tumblr_lstumf6q501qc59cio2_500.gif&ho=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com&s=826&h=2f2919bbd91bbf1eb8526223199daa060a2e80a3c30d52d9764df713bf5f447f&size=980x&c=1936248147 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2015%252F09%252F07%252F635772051954963894-602746688_tumblr_lstumf6q501qc59cio2_500.gif%26ho%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com%26s%3D826%26h%3D2f2919bbd91bbf1eb8526223199daa060a2e80a3c30d52d9764df713bf5f447f%26size%3D980x%26c%3D1936248147%22%7D" expand=1]

You get in bed, ready to rest and forget about your horribly unproductive day when suddenly THE SKIES OPEN, YOUR MIND IS SUDDENLY CLEAR, AND EVERYTHING IS NEW ONCE AGAIN BECAUSE GOSH DARNIT YOU HAVE AN IDEA.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F09%2F07%2F635772054326747589840235947_seinfeld.gif&ho=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com&s=1004&h=50773fa81329ef5cb3debb6d2b3486f19af8566b9ab425a4202ca62e94b97948&size=980x&c=3968087635 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2015%252F09%252F07%252F635772054326747589840235947_seinfeld.gif%26ho%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com%26s%3D1004%26h%3D50773fa81329ef5cb3debb6d2b3486f19af8566b9ab425a4202ca62e94b97948%26size%3D980x%26c%3D3968087635%22%7D" expand=1]

You jot down your new found inspiration, you might even bang out a few paragraphs, and then you celebrate because you've beaten your greatest enemy, dear writer.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F09%2F07%2F635772058159781347-484225044_bill.gif&ho=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com&s=982&h=1b9085a82d97a9f1b63e2e1ce1b331aecce2f5e1e02e2a9ad3520b91fa06ef45&size=980x&c=1099105788 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2015%252F09%252F07%252F635772058159781347-484225044_bill.gif%26ho%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com%26s%3D982%26h%3D1b9085a82d97a9f1b63e2e1ce1b331aecce2f5e1e02e2a9ad3520b91fa06ef45%26size%3D980x%26c%3D1099105788%22%7D" expand=1]


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Politics

Ancient Roman Kings: 7 Leaders of Early Rome

The names and dates of the reigns of the first four kings, as well as the alternation of Sabin and Latin names, are more legendary than historical. The last three kings, of Etruscan origin, have an existence which seems less uncertain.

Tampa, Florida
1327
inside ancient roman building
Photo by Chad Greiter on Unsplash

It is evident that all this is only a legend although archeology shows us little by little that these kings if they did not exist as the ancient history, describes them, have at least in the very Outlines were real as chief of a shepherd’s tribe. The period when kings ruled Rome could estimate at 245 years.

Keep Reading...Show less
ancient rome
Student Life

Love Lost

Being the girl that is falling for the boy is never easy.

Troy University
1437
Love Lost
Pexels

You constantly text my phone telling me that you want to see me and hang out, even though we may not have sex we cuddle and that’s intimacy in its own. I’m tired of buying you food and being there for you like a girlfriend when you consistently tell me you aren't ready for a girlfriend. I am constantly feeling I’m getting slapped in the face because I’m doing all these things and getting nothing in return. Every day I feel myself liking you more which is just crazy because why would I even waste my time liking someone there isn’t a future with. I just want you to be honest with me and with yourself, tell me how you feel from your heart, stop just saying you aren’t ready. You are wasting time telling me you aren’t ready because while you are “getting ready” some guy somewhere else is telling me that he likes me and thinks I’m beautiful and wants to date me. I’m not asking for much, but I at least want exclusivity because you ask me for all these things but in return you give me nothing.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

5 Reasons Why The "Pretty Little Liars" Books Are Better Than The TV Series

Even if both are beyond perfect.

Lafayette College
5865
Pretty Little Liars

From reading the books in eighth grade to watching the television show all throughout high school, "Pretty Little Liars"basically defined my teenage existence. I was completely and totally obsessed on all accounts. However, even though I loved the fact that the books and the show are starkly different, there are simply just some ways in which the books are much better. Let's take a look:

Keep Reading...Show less
pretty little liars
Student Life

To The Girl In The Back Row

I just want you to know you are loved. You are loved so very much.

Emmanuel College Georgia
2090
To The Girl In The Back Row
Sojo.net

Recently I was blessed to be a counselor at a wonderful camp, secluded in a cornfield somewhere in Virginia. I consider myself to be a seasoned camp counselor, as I have not only been a camper for most of my life but have been privileged enough to work multiple camps with all kinds of different facilities. I have worked camps with multi-thousand dollar facilities, with zip lines, rock walls, ropes courses, and boats. I have worked at camps with amazing water sports, camps with paintball, camps with canoes and paddle boats and floating blobs or trampolines in the middle of the water. I have worked at camps with in ground pools and camps without any pools, and even some camps with go-karts. I've had problem kids, kids who refuse to listen to anything I say, kids who sneak out after lights out to meet a significant other, and kids who are every camp counselors dream.

Keep Reading...Show less
Politics

Why The United Nations Is Key For The World

"As to the U.N., things will be different after Jan. 20th"- Donald J. Trump

Eastern University
2388
Why The United Nations Is Key For The World
Flickr/ses7

The United Nations (UN) has been in existence since June of 1945. Since then, the world has come together to work on and solve some of the harshest problems that face the Human Race. Be it children in societal ills like Human Trafficking, natural issues like Deforestation, or issues of extreme poverty, the UN has worked together in an attempt to make it a better place for us all. It's the only organization in the history of the world to bring people together in a willing, peaceful way; a feat that not even the League of Nations could do in the Post- WWI era. Why was it that one organization failed, and the other one is still going strong, 72 years later?

Keep Reading...Show less

Trending Topics

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments