Right-Hand Turns Not Allowed: Dealing with Creative Blocks
It’s the middle of a steamy Midwestern summer, and all of the main roads in my city neighborhood are under construction. On every route I take these days–to the grocery store, school, or even a simple loop around the block–I am greeted by rows of orange cones, fluorescent barriers, single-lane traffic, and detour signs.
This morning, after stopping my minivan at a red light and waiting a very long time to turn right (a simple right-hand turn!) because of a road construction-related back-up, I finally gave up and powered straight through the green light ahead, where I encountered yet another closed road. I had to drive around an entire city block just to return where I started.
Navigating city road construction is a creative exercise, all of its own.
Still, I prefer being a frustrated driver to being a blocked writer. Feeling blocked as a writer or creative can feel similar to my driving woes, except that unlike those orange cones on the road, we can’t always see our creative blocks, or even understand why we are experiencing them. The causes are often hidden and difficult to spot.
Most of us have heard the term “writer’s block” to describe the condition of being unable to write. But the experience of being blocked is usually caused by a series of smaller, underlying blocks—fears, questions, or circumstances—that keep us from writing or creating. [1]
To extend the driving metaphor, it’s not just that we can’t access the interstate; sometimes, there’s a giant pothole at the corner of our driveway, and also a detour sign across the street–which is enough to make us not want to get in the car, in the first place!
The good news is that all writers, even the most capable ones, experience some form of being blocked. So, the first thing to do is normalize the experience. You’re stuck! That’s okay; we all get stuck.
The next key is to realize that “stuck” is a symptom of something else–the real thing that’s likely bothering you. It can take work and time to understand what that may be, but it’s always worth it–especially if it means finally getting back on the road.
Part I. Identify Your Blocks
Let’s begin by identifying some of your own creative blocks: past or present.
What comes to your mind when you think of the term writer’s block? How do you feel? Scan your body— where do you feel these emotions? List anything that comes to mind.
Think about the past month–limit yourself to the last 30 days. Have you experienced any blocks? From small to large, everything counts! Here are some examples:
“I wanted to write about x, but I couldn’t seem to get motivated.”
“I haven’t journaled all month.”
“I told myself I would send my newsletter on Monday, and I dragged my feet until Friday.” … etc.
Now, widen your lens to the past year. When else have you felt stuck?
Do you have a list of at least 4-5 examples? Good! Keep it close by; we’ll return to it.
Part II. Types of Blocks
In my own time working with writers, I have noticed creative blocks tend to fall into several categories. Take a minute to read through these, and see if any of them resonate with you.
1. Habit-based blocks: Sometimes writers have difficulty moving through the process because of some sort of rascally habit. Examples include: spending too much time thinking, constantly checking your phone, repeatedly using writing time for something else, etc. Habits can initially be tricky to change, but even small adjustments can often make a big difference.
2. Cognitive blocks: In some cases, you simply do not have the information you need to write. Maybe you have never written a memoir before, you need to study a subject more thoroughly, or you need to learn how to write dialogue. Maybe you want to submit an essay, but you’ve never written a cover letter. The good news about cognitive blocks is that the solutions are usually fairly simple: you just need to find an answer! (But remember: new skills are never learned all at once; learning is a process.)
3. Affective / Emotional blocks: This is the most common—and tricky!—type of block. Emotions such as fear, anger, anxiety, despair, or relational conflict can interfere with your ability to get words on the page. It is difficult to write when you are worried about a looming relational circumstance. It is difficult to write when you are terrified of failure. Everyone experiences unwanted emotions—some emotions can compel you to write—but negative emotions can become magnified to the degree that they keep you from writing, at all. Addressing these sorts of blocks is not always easy, but naming them is the first step.
4. Wilderness seasons. In some seasons of life, writing becomes very hard or nearly impossible, due to challenging life circumstances. Maybe you are parenting a sleepless newborn, acting as a primary caretaker for a relative, or experiencing deep heartbreak. Wilderness seasons can be deeply painful. If you find yourself unable to write, it might help to activate other forms of creativity: singing, drawing, baking, etc. until you are led back to the page.
Now, return to the blocks you outlined earlier. List them on the chart below.
For each one, could you try to classify what type of block it is? There may be multiple things happening at once; if so, note that!
Also, identify any circumstances or emotions that led to being blocked. Even things that come to your mind from 3rd grade count! For example, one of my professional mentors once made a snide comment about blogging. This was fifteen years ago, and I can still trace some of my online writing resistance back to that comment.
Use the chart below to write whatever comes to mind.
| When I have Felt Blocked | Type(s) of Block | What Led to Being Stuck |
|---|---|---|
| Example: I never submitted that piece I finished six months ago. | Cognitive - not sure what to do with it. Affective - fear / frustration / worry | The site I wanted to submit to isn’t taking submissions any more, and I don’t know where else it might fit. I’m afraid the writing isn’t any good. |
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Now, pick ONE block from the above chart. Choose the one that feels “stickiest.”
Take out your journal or use the space below. For just a minute, try to distance yourself from the situation. Pretend a good friend came to you and told you they were stuck with this very thing. What would you say to them? What encouragement would you offer? Take 3-5 minutes to write whatever comes to mind.
Did the experience of writing to someone else surface any wisdom for your own situation? Were you able to see your block with any new compassion or understanding? Make any notes.
Part III. Simple Steps Forward
Change is always most feasible when we take small daily steps, instead of trying to tackle everything in one day. So, for now, think of something that could help you move one inch through this block. One inch! That’s all you have to move.
Pick something you can do today–or very soon–and reward yourself when you finish. Small actions are powerful!
Ideas:
Call a trustworthy friend and tell them what you learned during this exercise.
Clear off your writing desk. Add a fresh flower or a favorite candle.
Even without knowing where you’ll send that piece, start writing a cover letter, anyway.
My one step for today is:
How I will celebrate having accomplished it:
Other small steps I could take in the future:
If you work through these steps, I’d love to hear from you! Or, if you’re socially inclined, you can tag me on IG at @jennabrackwriting.
Sometimes blocks are not-so-simple, and they require lots of time and care. If you’d like to explore further coaching, I’d love to talk with you.
[1] Hjortshoj, Keith. Understanding Writing Blocks. Oxford UP, 2001.