Don't Stop on the Writer's Block

Too many writers confuse writing with self, especially self-worth. No better illustrations of this phenomenon are the following: tendencies to hang about the mailbox, urges to contact editors about submissions made three days ago, delirious indulgences after receiving acceptances of freebies, and excessive depressions over rejections--the kind that prompts you to say, "I'm no good. I'll never be any good. I might as well give up."

When you experience an unintended interruption in the flow of words (how's that for reframing?), you tend to feel devalued, less than, under-talented and broken. The reframing note is important. How many of you have experienced an unintended interruption in the flow of income? Everybody raise hands! Did that mean you were a baaaaad person? Of course not! It meant that you needed to get busy finding a new job, maybe a new direction.

The point of detaching your feelings of value from the experience of Writer's Block is to avoid creating worse problems for yourself. Pretend you're having a near-death experience, hovering above, observing yourself. "Oh, look--the writer has stopped writing," the spirit notes. "Why is that?" Seize this opportunity to question all aspects of your block. Write them down, and then write your answers. Everything you have to say is valuable. Write all about your block. And keep on writing.