A definition of Writer’s Block from Wikipedia:
Writer’s block is a phenomenon involving temporary loss of ability to continue writing, usually due to lack of inspiration or creativity.
I think I had true writer’s block only once. That was in 1991, when my twenty-year marriage came to a sudden, shocking and abrupt halt brought about by dastardly behavior on the part of my formerly delightful husband. I was working on FIRE AND RAIN. Suddenly, all I was able to write was really terrible, self-pitying poetry. That lasted several months. Then I fell in love again, which was better for the soul, but even worse for the writing, because all I could do was sit around with a goofy smile on my face. Eventually, I was back on an even emotional keel and FIRE AND RAIN was completed–late, but in fairly good form.
Since then, I’ve experienced many periods when I have trouble writing, but I think calling them “Writer’s Block” is a cop-out. We writers act as though we have the most grueling job on the face of the planet. Writing a novel takes some talent, some learned skills (how to string words together, structure a book, create fabulous characters) and a whole lot of “just doing it.” That’s one reason why I write a sh%##y first draft. Then it doesn’t matter how bad it is; the important thing is I’m writing.
The definition above implies that we need inspiration to write. I know many unpublished writers who write only when the inspiration strikes, and that’s fine if they want to stay unpubbed. But the mark of a professional writer is being able to write when uninspired. Some days that’s easier than others.
This little pep talk was more for me than for you. Every once in a while I need to remind myself how lucky I am to be a working writer. The laundry, the web-sudoku, the phone calls, the blogging and all other distractions can wait.
I’ve got work to do.