Recognizing Symptoms vs. Causes

When you find yourself unable to advance a story—or any story—it’s tempting to blame writer's block. But this is an unhelpful mindset that won’t facilitate any change. Writer's block is not a root cause; it's merely a symptom, much like a sore throat.

The underlying reason for a sore throat might be a cold or a range of other conditions, some serious and some benign. Common remedies for sore throats often fail because they don’t address the actual problem (look it up, it's science!). Understanding and treating the true condition will alleviate the sore throat.

It was only when I recognized that writer's block is a symptom, not a state of being, that this article began to take shape and practically wrote itself. There was never any writer's block (remember, I don’t believe in it). Instead, there was an idea that had structure but lacked coherence. It needed that special element that would make it engaging.

Writer's block is not just any symptom. Recently, when I explored the nocebo effect—the opposite of the placebo effect—I realized it aligns well with writer's block: an unwelcome symptom born from fear or negative assumptions. We often think our inability to finish a story stems from some vague, insurmountable flaw in our writing skills, thus invoking the term "writer's block." This allows us to indulge in self-pity instead of committing to the task at hand.

Certainly, there are many obstacles we face that can prevent us from starting, completing, and publishing our stories. However, these barriers are only indirectly related to the creative writing process. They are often erected by external circumstances or, more commonly, constructed in our own minds—sometimes unknowingly.

Whenever you encounter difficulty with a story or a prolonged dry spell, don’t panic. Avoid stressing over it; that will only exacerbate the situation. What you need is a shift in perspective—a fresh approach to viewing this symptom you’ve mistakenly regarded as a cause or condition. Here’s how to think differently: Where there's a wall, there’s also a door. You just need to locate or create it to move forward. Let me explain further.

The Abundance of Unfinished Drafts

Let’s address a common misconception among writers: unfinished drafts do not signify failure, much like an unfinished melody is not the end for a musician. They represent initiative, embodying both admirable restraint and a wealth of potential. By choosing not to publish something subpar, we retain the opportunity to refine it later.

I consider all my incomplete stories as successful brainstorming sessions that remain valid. Admittedly, I sometimes deceive myself, but how we perceive our fits and starts is crucial for the creative process and productive writing. In fact, it’s essential for achieving any goal.

If you need to initiate three stories to complete one, that’s perfectly fine! Such a process is equally valuable as that of someone who finishes each story in record time.

Unfinished drafts symbolize unleashed creativity and quality, the antithesis of hastily produced work.

Treasure your unfinished drafts, as they might evolve into something wonderful. I’ve resurrected many drafts from obscurity, often sparked by current events or new insights that bring the topic back into focus. These drafts are akin to flour and salt sitting in your pantry, waiting to be transformed into bread or cookies. For me, it’s reassuring to know I have a wealth of ingredients to draw from when inspiration strikes.

Diagnosing Your Real Condition

Now, let’s get specific. If you think you’re experiencing writer’s block, reconsider that thought. Don’t allow negativity to dominate your mindset. It’s like saying, “I can’t even walk a mile,” and then taking every measure to avoid walking. Instead, say, “I can walk a mile; just not yet,” and take a short stroll around the block to kickstart your momentum.

Once you adjust your perspective positively, you can dive into the deeper issues at play in your life.

Take a deep breath. Take three. Close your eyes and clear your mind (consider trying my three-minute mini-meditation if you’re willing).

With a refreshed mindset, ask yourself:

What underlying issue or circumstance is creating the barrier I’m struggling against right now?

Writer's block is not the root issue. It’s a symptom of something else that’s temporarily obstructing your creativity and productivity. So what is it? Is it a lack of compelling story ideas? A poor concept? A story that’s overly complex? Is it a shortage of time, energy, or motivation? Are you preoccupied with something stressful that’s unrelated to writing? Are you feeling physically unwell? Are you suffering from poor sleep? Do you consume too much alcohol?

If you can pinpoint the underlying condition, you can tackle it head-on. If not, you might not be reflecting deeply enough on your situation. There’s something obstructing your path, and it’s not writer's block.

Repeat after me: Writer's block is not a condition; it’s a symptom.

As writers, we often get sidetracked by life. We tire of routines, feel drained, or lose our creative spark. If that’s the case, step away. Take a break—don’t open your computer or phone for however long it takes to recharge, whether that’s an hour, a day, or a week.

The art of writing benefits from the science of doing nothing.

If the issue becomes persistent, consider taking a weekend getaway or spending a week away from writing to engage in other activities. Better yet, start exercising (here’s a guide), reduce alcohol consumption (here’s the truth), or aim for better sleep (here’s why and how). In essence, determine the genuine problem behind your perceived writer's block and address it directly.

Your Diagnostic Tools

I hope you’ve enjoyed your break. Welcome back! I wish you continued success with your new outlook on life.

When you feel ready to return to your writing desk, let’s delve into why a specific story is causing you trouble. Now’s the time to focus. You have renewed energy and clarity. Let’s pick a draft and finish it; that may be all the encouragement you need.

Still feeling stuck? No worries. My guess is you haven’t fully grasped what this story is meant to be. That’s actually a good sign, as it can guide us toward a solution. Here are several potential strategies that might help you get that story moving:

• What’s your hook? Why this story, now, and why you? You should always have clear answers to these questions.
• Craft the headline. If you can’t generate an appealing headline, consider why that is. What might be lacking in your research or story framing?
• Create a proper outline. What are the three or four main themes or questions of the story? Jot them down as subheadings. Treat them as mini-headlines that are clear and enticing.
• Conduct further research. Even if you think you’ve exhausted your research, explore online to discover additional insights. You don’t need to uncover the entire story; a little spark might shift your perspective.
• Consult a friend. When I’m stalled on a story, I often discuss it with my wife without consulting my notes. As I articulate the narrative, she usually asks a question or makes an observation that clarifies my thoughts.
• Write the nutgraph. After drafting your lead, what’s the pivotal sentence that captures the essence of the story? This statement should pique reader interest and propel them forward. If your draft lacks this element, it could explain your stagnation.
• Find a key quote. If your style involves being the sole voice in the narrative, you risk limiting the perspectives available. Wouldn’t it be beneficial if someone else weighed in to enhance your credibility?
• Review your draft from a distance. Assess whether each section logically relates back to the headline or premise. Identify any glaring gaps or hidden gems that need to be elevated. If you can see where the story is and where it needs to go, you can address those gaps. If not, consider whether this story truly wants to be told.

Lastly, don’t let the pursuit of perfection impede your progress. Writer's block often masquerades as “This story isn’t great.” In reality, most stories aren’t extraordinary; many are simply good, and a few may be just adequate to serve their purpose. So engage with that draft, recognize that perfection can hinder completion, and finish it as best as you can. Alternatively, consider taking a hike—hikes can be as refreshing for writing as ibuprofen is for headaches.

If none of these strategies help you regain momentum, set the story aside and explore another one. Stories can be unpredictable and sometimes they simply don’t want to be written—at least not at this moment.

Whatever you do, don’t squander time staring blankly, waiting for inspiration to strike while blaming writer's block. It’s not a real phenomenon.

Cheers,

Rob

I began this draft months ago and finally completed it thanks to Medium's Draft Day prompt (more here: MediumDraftDay.com). I first published it earlier this week in my Writer's Guide newsletter.