Writer’s Block “A writer is a person for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people” Thomas Mann ( ) “Writing is easy. All you have to do is to stare at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead.” Gene Fowler “If a young writer can refrain from writing, he [sic] shouldn’t hesitate to do so. Andre Gide ( )

Source: Boice, Robert. "Cognitive Components of Blocking." The Big Myth People with writer’s block are just lazy. A study of 40 blockers produced 7 cognitive components of blocking:  Work apprehension: writing perceived as an overwhelming task  Procrastination: use any excuse to justify avoiding or delaying work  Restlessness or general dissatisfaction: includes burnout, anxiety, panic, or groundless worries  Impatience: want to achieve more in less time, concern with unnecessary deadlines and expectations of impressing authority figure over competitor  Perfectionism: persistent “internal critic who allows no mistakes or imperfections.”  Evaluation Anxiety: fear disapproval and rejection of reader  Rules: have applied unreasonable myths or rules to writing like good writers create perfect text spontaneously while highly inspired.

Symptoms Continually postpone assignments Cannot write anything at all Continuous worry about assignment Feel apprehensive and pessimistic about assignment Frequently start and delete work or change topics several times

Strategies for Unblocking Get support: friend, WP tutor, teacher, classmate, someone you trust Identify your strengths: explain things well, see connections, listen well, have strong opinions, know how to get people’s interest, are critical of what you read Accept that writing is a complex process; that things don’t just “flow” from a well of creativity Re-read the assignment or publication guidelines Start writing anywhere: You don’t have to begin with the introduction. Begin where you have words to begin. Set realistic goals early in the assignment: set goals that are reachable Don’t edit as you write: just write; edit later

More Strategies Think of yourself as a developing writer (not a writer who must be perfect) Celebrate your successes: pat yourself on the back for a finished page, a completed outline, a well-crafted sentence, an intuitive connection, a newly discovered source. Reward yourself. Try new techniques when you are blocked: talk your paper out loud to a support person, try an informal outline, brainstorm for 10 minutes, freewrite for 30 minutes, cut your paper in strips and re- organize, make one small goal (e.g., I will write one paragraph; I will read one source, I will write the introduction, I will find one additional point) to get yourself moving Give yourself a short, short vacation by yourself: go for a walk, exercise, have a cup of tea (or whatever), draw a picture, listen to music, meditate—clear your mind so you can focus when you return to your paper.

Prewriting Techniques for Unblocking Freewriting Brainstorming Mapping/Clustering/Charting Combination

Freewriting If you don’t have an idea for a topic, –Write freely without constraint or direction for a strictly limited time (10-20 minutes). If you have an idea for a topic, –Write freely as much as you can think of about your topic. If you have more than one idea for a topic, –Write freely for each.

Brainstorming (or listing) Write a list of topics or idea or words associated with a topic Strictly limit time; 10 minutes is reasonable Write everything into your list, no matter how outlandish it may seem When time is up, examine list. Cross out ideas that won’t work until you have a few core ideas. If necessary, list again to find a better or more focused idea. This time for only 5 minutes.

Mapping (or clustering) Health care cancer diabetes Insurance cost poverty Hiv/aids Universal health care education drugs cost availability HMO’s diagnosis coverage Rising co-pays experimental FDA rules Africa

Combination Listing Health care Death Penalty Synchronized Swimming Developmental learning Grocery cost Agricultural additives Marriage penalty Blogging among males HIV/AIDS Drugs Black Market Health care HIV/AIDS Drugs Education teens Public Insurance Cost

Final Advice Make a plan! –Draw up a rough outline and change and refine as needed –Make a plan for your writing process. –Choose small goals and set reasonable dates. –Use the Library's Assignment Calculator.Library's Assignment Calculator –Go to the Write Place to get assistance with planning your writing process.Write Place