Comments

On Blocks and Other Frustrations — 8 Comments

  1. And when that chapter does get written, you'll appreciate the accomplishment that much more! There will be rough patches to accentuate the peaks.
    Great advice. Thanks.

  2. If I can't do my goal I try for something similiar so I still get the feeling of progress. Like instead of a writing a chapter I'll update character sheets, or sort and organize my yarn if I don't feel like crocheting that day.That way I get 'something' done and don't beat myself up.

  3. Those are all good suggestions! For me, what I do depends on the context. What happened the last time I sat down to write? Did I do it? Did I bail? I'm more likely to try and push past the block if I've been avoiding for a while. Then it's about accepting what comes. Sometimes momentum will build and I'm writing. Sometimes it's clear I'm not in the right place. It can be so hard to differentiate the Critic from genuine issues.

    I'm glad you found something that works for you! Can't wait to see the next chapter 🙂

  4. Thanks for commenting, Nikki! I know what you mean about momentum. Sometimes it's helpful for me, and sometimes, when I lose momentum, it's hard to get moving again. It's like Newton said – an object in motion stays in motion. I think that's one of the primary reasons I'm interested in forward movement – ANY forward movement. It's easier to change directions than get started, and once we're moving, it's easier to switch tracks.

    I know what you mean about Critics and genuine issues. For me, the Critic IS the genuine issue – it's always there for a reason. It's not always about figuring out what that reason is, though; because that's what the Block wants you to do – accord it more power and, thus, stay blocked. If we can figure out how to move around it anyway, then we don't need to address the block right then and there, and we get creative work done. For me, it sometimes helps to say, look, block, you're not helping right now but if you really want to, stay right there and I'll come back in a bit and talk to you. Then do my creative work, and talk to/about the block in my journal later. Sometimes, I still need to, and other times, doing the work eased the block and I no longer need to "go there."