Dealing With Writers Block + Imposter Syndrome
Sit down to write and nothing comes out.
We've all been there.
It's easy to just call it writer's block and wait for it to clear, but the phenomenon we know as writer's block isn't just one thing. We lump all kinds of problems into this category, and thinking more carefully about what might be affecting you is the first step in clearing it out of the way.
Basic needs. Are you hungry? Thirsty? Tired? It sounds silly, but if your brain feels like sludge, it might be because you're overtired or hungry. Taking care of yourself is an essential part of the writing process. Your body is just as involved in writing as your mind is, and if your body is tapped out, you're not going to get very far.
What happens next? Sometimes we genuinely hit a block in our writing where we just can't think up what happens next. A great starting point for this feeling is asking yourself, "what does my character want in this scene?" Digging into your character's motivation is usually a way into the next step. This is also a great time to hit the Creator Education Resources to help shake something loose.
Perfectionism and anxiety. If every word you try to put down feels inadequate, wrong, not as good as other people's–that's perfectionism and impostor syndrome rearing their heads again. Judgment and perfectionism are the opposite of creativity, which requires the ability to make mistakes. The more worried you are about getting it perfect, the less you're going to be able to write anything at all.
Impostor Syndrome
Ever feel like you're faking it? Like your skills aren't really all that, and you're one wrong move from being exposed as a fraud? Or that everyone else has it figured out but you're just flailing around trying to figure it out as you go?
Yeah, us too. That's , and it sucks, but it's pretty common. Basically everyone feels like they're faking it some of the time (or even a lot of the time!).
Impostor syndrome is one of the shadow companions of the writing life. Making peace with these shadows is part of the process of building yourself up as a writer. These feelings might come and go, but you don't need to be defined or consumed by them.
Here are some things to remember when you're feeling impostor-y or otherwise down on yourself:
Come back to alignment. Remember those questions we asked about what you're writing about and why? Get in touch with that. Re-orienting yourself to your creative drive and the things you are trying to say with your art can help calm that impostor syndrome. When you tap back into the things that are important to you, the things that excite you creatively, comparison and popularity matter way less.
Appreciate your own perspective. You bring something to your writing that no one else on earth does. Only you have your exact experiences, perspectives, and ways of creating meaning in the world. That matters! No one else can do exactly what you do. That's something to appreciate and cultivate, because it's what makes your writing unique.
What's your best advice or your favourite tip for when you get stuck?
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