cutting through writers block

A famous author, I don't remember who or when, once said that there was no such thing as writers block. If a writer was whining about being blocked, well then he was just being lazy.

Now that was a startling idea. Flew against popular opinion.

Writers block seems perfectly plausible, after all I often find myself unable to think of a single thing to say so being unable to think of something to write is more or less the same thing.

On the other hand I have come to accept the statement as true. You see he did say 'writers block' which spells out that it is a writer who is having the problem. A writer is someone skilled who lays strings of words down over and over again, it is his job, his vocation. Can you imagine going into work one day and saying that you are blocked and, sorry, can't do a thing today. No, won't happen. Wouldn't get away with it.

Now I really don't know how big a problem writers block is, might be all mist and no substance. Probably belongs more to those who aspire to being writers. If you are bringing home the bacon with work on the keyboard then it would be an unaffordable indulgence.

When you are staring at a clean white field and don't know what to write about, just start writing. Write about the view out the window, the drive to work, the talking heads on TV. When some new thought comes to mind go ahead and write it down even if it means leaving the last one unfinished.

The writing will come because it is a skill.

You have a skill as a result of practice.

Practice is the act of hard wiring your mind and body to accomplish a goal. The goal of course is to have a skill.

Once you have developed a useful skill keep it sharp by using it. If it falls into disuse it is like unplugging the machine. It stops working. The electrical contacts will become corroded. The investment you made will be lost.

A saw cuts because it is sharp. A saw is sharp only because it is kept that way by someone who knows that it has value when it is in prime condition.

We all have skills that we want to keep up and if they are not in constant use then take some time and practice.