Is There Such a Thing as Writer’s Block?

If so, why do some suffer and others not?

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“You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.” — Jack London

I am constantly reading about one writer or another being afflicted with what is often termed “Writer’s Block.” Whenever I have a problem deciding what to write, I have to browse the book titles on my shelf, check the names of CDs in their rack, or look around me for inspiration. Sometimes just sitting outdoors, ot taking the dogs for a walk, inspires ideas.

I can usually come up with something satisfactory to write, so I never took writer’s block seriously. However, this time it seems different. I have quite a few ideas spinning in my brain, but every time I try to put them down on paper, I am disappointed that nothing suitable is taking shape.

While my peers seem to be churning out item after item (and good quality at that), I am languishing at my desk and am lucky if I can publish anything unless it is a response to a prompt. I really appreciate my fellow writers and publications that issue prompts or run contests – without you, I would be lucky to publish even one piece per week.

Anyway, if worst comes to worst, take the lack of inspiration itself as inspiration. That’s what I did here.

“A writer is someone for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people.” — Thomas Mann

Why Do You Abandon Me, Oh Muse?

Why do you abandon me, oh Muse? The desire to write burns in me, But my page is stark and barren Like a desert without trees.

My fingers hover over keys, Willing you to take the lead, But alas, you guide me not! You do not plant the writing seed.

I have ideas within my mind Though jumbled and unclear. I need you to unravel them — Muse, take the wheel and steer.

They say, write something every day, Pen anything at all. I try to heed this wise advice, But, I’m up against a wall.

Oh Muse, how I pine for you, I’m abandoned and alone. Please return from whence you’ve gone To help my pen atone.

Others seem to write with ease, Words fill page after page. But I sit here without a thought For my pen to engage.

I know that when the time is right You’ll suddenly appear, But patience is not an attribute I personally revere.

I pray that you return, oh Muse, I know that is your will. Take me to new writing heights And guide my stifled quill.

© John Hansen: All rights reserved. Australian writer

“The blank page is not an enemy; it is a mirror asking us to look deeper.” — John Hansen

One of my older pieces:

[embed]It’s Not All About Me ~ And It’s Not All About You Either ~thehubpublication.com

Check out Mid-Knight Falls. It is a great place to write:

[embed]Mid-Knight Falls Publication Guidelines Submission Guidelinesmedium.com

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Lu Skerdoo, Stephen Dalton, Dixie Dodd ♡, Brenda Arledge