According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary Online, Writer’s Block is “the problem of not being able to think of something to write about or not being able to finish writing a story, poem, etc.” For someone that’s decided to dedicate their career to writing, Writer’s Block is serious business. I would compare it to a head cold. Everyone catches it, it sticks around for a few days, and people have many remedies to cure it. I like to think that Writer’s Block is necessary, because it makes you realize you have no ideas left OR you have too many.
Frustration comes after realizing you’ve hit your Writer’s Block. It’s difficult to remain positive when you’ve realized that you have nothing to write about. However, the hardest realization is that new ideas are on the horizon. In order for those ideas to make it to the page, you may have to reject old ideas to replace the new. Usually, as a writer, you should never throw away an idea no matter how ridiculous or incomplete it is. I still believe in that rule wholeheartedly, but sometimes you have to let your heart break a little.
Ideas that you have a hard time finishing can create issues for future ideas. Instead of letting the future thoughts prosper, you’re too focused on what could have been with old ideas. Sometimes it’s better to completely delete an idea that takes life away from another idea. I know, it hurts to admit that something could be wrong with your writing; after all writing is your bread and butter, your baby, everything that matters and will matter in life. Writer’s Block emphasizes the hard time you’re having with juggling multiple ideas and the importance of focusing on one idea only. I like to think that Writer’s Block is a way to rule out what needs to written about and what I can revisit later. That’s why it comes up so often, we as writers have to constantly remind ourselves about the important ideas. As frustrating as Writer’s Block can be, it’s truly a terrible thing to waste.
