Advice to Young Writers

Part Five: On Writer's Block

Part Five: On Writer's Block

Lots of young writers (and writers of all ages) suffer from writer's block. So let's talk about what writer's block is and how to get past it.

Definition and Causes of Writer's Block

So what exactly is writer's block? It's the inability to write, whether on a particular writing project or writing at all in general. It's a painful malady that affects writers at some time; some writers are more prone to it than others. The writers who don't experience writer's block often or at all often state emphatically that “There is no such thing as writer's block.” Well, why do so many writers suffer from the inability to write?

What causes writer's block? Author Rhonda Leigh Jones informs us:

“Writer's block is caused by anxiety that what is written won't be good enough. Eliminate that worry by giving yourself permission to write a 'bad' first draft.”

Those are wise words. In her wonderful writing book Bird by Bird, Anne Lamott has devoted an entire chapter to writing “[Awful] First Drafts.” (Only she uses a very vulgar word instead of “awful.”) Anne Lamott writes about those awful first drafts:

“All good writers write them. This is how they end up with good second drafts and terrific third drafts.”

I feel better already. :)

Lamott continues:

“I know some very great writers, writers you love who write beautifully and have made a great deal of money, and not one of them sits down routinely feeling wildly enthusiastic and confident. Not one of them writes elegant first drafts.”

Reassuring, isn't it? :)

Lamott then confides in us:

“The first draft is the child's draft, where you let it all pour out and then let it romp all over the place, knowing that no one is going to see it and that you can shape it later....No one is going to see it.”

I really like how Anne Lamott explains the writing process, and I've found it very true for me as well:

“Almost all good writing begins with terrible first drafts. You need to start somewhere. Start by getting something—anything—down on paper. A friend of mine says that the first draft is the down draft—you just get it down. The second draft is the up draft—you fix it up. You try to say what you have to say more accurately. And the third draft is the dental draft, where you check every tooth, to see if it's loose or cramped or decayed, or even...healthy.”

And Rhonda Leigh Jones tell us basically the same thing:

“The author who never suffers from writers' block is willing to risk all by writing badly. Much of that 'bad' writing goes on to become something wonderful.”

So really, most of us just need to RELAX, get down our ideas on paper, then shape, revise, and polish.

My oldest son is 17, and he just finished an online SAT/ACT prep class which addressed the timed essay...which means that he HAD to turn in that awful first draft...and be graded on it...and know that his timed essay will constitute a substantial portion of his ACT markings.

He freaked.

So he tried to write everything perfectly the first time.

And he did not do well. No, not at all. In fact, I haven't seen him so frustrated since the XBox 360's hard drive died a violent death. Seriously.