E.M. Lockard
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Writer's Block?  Or Something Else?

1/24/2014

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I don't like the term "writer's block". It fails to capture the real suffering we writers go through when we experience it. Non-writers hear "writer's block", and they think, "Oh. It's just a wanna-be writer griping about a lack of ideas." Or all the non-writers share their ideas for overcoming writer's block. Or they just don't see the problem. That because "writer's block" doesn't even begin to describe the issue. It falls short. And this thing called "writer's block" is much worse than the term implies.
I'm suggesting a change of terminology. Instead of "writer's block", let's call it "creative constipation". It seems to capture the spirit of the thing much more aptly. After all, if you say to someone, "I'm constipated," they may feel uncomfortable with TMI, but they'll also realize how uncomfortable you really are. They'll "get" it. They'll understand - to some extent - that this could be simply the beginning of an even worse situation. And every writer knows that "writer's block" isn't a fun thing, any more than is constipation. Besides, we all get constipated sometimes, so this term gives us a great common ground with non-writers.

I've found that I personally become constipated (creatively speaking, of course) when I've made a mistake somewhere in my story, and while my subconscious realizes that mistake, my conscious mind is too slow to have caught it yet. Then, the churning begins. The subtle pain that begins to grow. The steadily rising nausea. A tightness in my innards that just won't go away.

Unfortunately, there is no laxative for creative constipation, no prune juice, no fiber regimen. There's only patience and hard work... and perhaps a much-needed distraction. Hopefully, these things will eventually get the creative juices flowing again, and that...blockage...won't be a problem. I realize it isn't a pleasant visual, but really, writer's block/creative constipation isn't a pleasant experience.

If you're a writer, you know what I'm talking about. Don't be embarrassed. There's no shame in it. Even those who don't get creatively constipated understand the basics of constipation itself. Why? Because, as I said before, we all get constipated sometimes.

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    Called "The Semi-Sane Writer", this  blog used to have its own home.  However, it felt lonely and decided to join the rest of the author's information on this site.  The author took pity on the poor, lonely blog and very nicely relocated it. 

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