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Do You Have Writer's Block, Critic's Block, or
Editor's Block?
When words are not flowing, the problem could be any number of things. Some identifiable causes would be writer's block, critic's block, and editor's block. Everyone feels the pangs of these at one time or another, and each has its own unique profile from person to person.
Writer's block relates to avoiding the task. The energy may be high, but that energy is not focused on writing. "I can't sit down and start writing . . . I don't know where to begin, so I won't begin." Avoiding writing regardless of the costs: that is writer's block. Writer's block relates to resistance--it is a subtle, unconscious fear of facing the blank page. Writer's block may also relate to the fear of being criticized. "I know it won't be right, so I'm safer not doing it at all."
When I personally have writer's block, I may feel a slight anxiety or feel very tired. Sometimes I don't feel anything; I just want to work on any project other than writing.
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To manage writer's block, get ideas roughly sketched so you no longer face that intimidating blank screen. To address writer's block, The Writer's Tool Kit workshops present prewriting techniques such as mind mapping and topic trees as well as planning activities to define purpose, intent, and tone. |
Once you start writing, you may encounter critic's block. Critic's block relates to trying to get ideas on paper correctly as you write. Critic's block actually feels more painful than writer's block. In other words, critic's block is approaching the first draft as if it is the final copy, trying to get everything perfect while drafting.
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To manage critic's block, turn off your critic and compose freely without editing. The perfectionist needs to be shut down temporarily. Thus, stop editing as you compose. Let things get messy--get the bad ideas out so the good ones can surface. To shut down the critic, The Writer's Tool Kit workshops cover techniques such as free writing, focused writing, and forced writing. |
The final hurdle is editor's block. Editor's block is the inability or reluctance to proofread and edit thoroughly. An indication of editor's block is a thought such as "I better send out this document now because I'm not sure of what to correct or change to make it more effective."
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Editor's block dissolves by learning strategies to proofread, edit, and revise. The Writer's Tool Kit workshops teach grammar and punctuation theory so that writing decisions become clear. The workshops also guide the writer into using the active voice, eliminating redundancy and empty words, and choosing uncomplicated language. |
Though these blocks may always be present to some degree, manage them by using the appropriate planning tool or strategy to keep the creative energy flowing.
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