How to Diagnose Writer’s Block

by Rochelle Melander

At a presentation my coach gave a few weeks ago, he quoted the oft-repeated marketing saying, “A confused mind says no.”

When people are overwhelmed or confused by an offer, they decline.

“Do you want fries with that?” Yes, please. Easy decision.

“For an additional charge, you can get fries, Brussels sprouts, salad, chips, or carrot sticks. We offer four different combinations and three unique sizes. Can I sign you up?” Huh? No thank you.

Experiencing Writer’s Block

That got me thinking about writing. I’ve been meeting with several clients who are experiencing blocks. They have projects they love and care about—and want to finish. But they don’t get around to it.

Some of them blame themselves. I’m just not disciplined enough. I’m lazy. Maybe I’m not smart enough.

Others attribute it to the environment. Summer is always a hard time to write. I’ve got a lot going on. 

But every single person I’ve talked to has a concrete reason for being blocked. They’re confused about some part of the project.

Remember, a confused mind always says no.

Not working on a project is one way of saying no. I don’t get this. I’m not going to do this.

Maybe you have the goal of finishing your book this summer: 

+But you’re overwhelmed by ideas and information. 

+Or you don’t know how to organize the material. 

+Or perhaps you’re not sure how to write the next bit.

The confused mind says no.

You avoid writing. You don’t show up for scheduled sessions. You stare at the computer before heading over to your favorite social media platform.

To get back to writing, you need to solve the root problem. You’ll struggle to write until you untangle the challenge you’re facing. 

Try this:

Next time you find yourself ditching writing yet again, ask yourself:

+What’s stopping me? Is there anything I’m confused about? Make a list. Then circle the one or two things you think are at the heart of your block.

+Finish this sentence: If I could wave a wand and find a magic solution, I would know how to __________. 

+Once you know what is confusing you, play with potential solutions. What are 2-3 ways you could solve the issue? Be okay with trying solutions that may not work—that’s how you figure out what does work. Say, “I’ll just try it this way for the next 30 minutes and see what happens.”

+If you’re still stuck, get help. Talk the block through with a friend. Look for help in a book or an online article. Or sign up for a complimentary consultation.