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Most writers, at some point in their careers, go through a period of debilitating self doubt and lack of inspiration, in which writing anything worthwhile becomes nearly impossible.

Traditional writing wisdom has it that this writing malaise is caused by a phenomenon referred to as "writer's block". When you have "writer's block", it doesn't matter what you do; you can't write. At least, you can't write anything good. No amount of coffee or craft books or scribbles on the backs of bar napkins will help. You just have to wait for it to pass.

Usually, it passes in a week or two. Writers are commonly resigned to the fact that, periodically, their writing ability will inexplicably disappear, robbing them of days, weeks or months of productivity, only to return one day when they least expect it. It's as if the muse has skipped town; no forwarding address.

But sometimes, it can take an exceedingly long time for the dreaded "writer's block" to go away. Numerous writers, both professional and hobbyist, have lost years--decades, even--of perfectly good creative work to this writer's disorder. Sometimes, when they've had enough of not being able to make the words flow, they seek help. There are hundreds of books and websites dedicated to the subject. There are even week-long workshops that one can attend to unblock oneself, if one doesn't mind paying the exorbitant fees.

But none of this is necessary.

The truth is, writer's block isn't real.

It's a myth. A fabrication. A fallacy perpetuated by people who don't understand that creative work is still work, and believed blindly by new writers, as well as writers who've never faced the choice of writing the damn thing or going on an indefinitely-long starvation diet.

What we call "writer's block" is actually just our subconscious mind telling us that there's a problem. The problem is not insoluble, nor do we need to wait for months or years for it to "solve itself". We just need to learn to recognize that there is a problem, and take the necessary steps to overcome it.

There are several common writing-related problems that your "writer's block" might be trying to alert you to. I'll get into those in a moment, but first I want to clear something up:

The problem is NOT a lack of inspiration or a vacationing muse.

Go back and read the preceding line again and again until you're sure you've got it.

Your "block", which isn't actually a block, is not the result of dried up inspiration. Your muse did not skip town. How do I know this? Because the writer creates his own inspiration. Always. One hundred percent of the time. You may get a flash of inspiration from an external source, or a combination of two or more sources, but this is not the inspiration that carries you through to the end of the project. This is just the initial idea that motivates you to start the project. All the inspiration you need past that point, you generate by putting your ass in the chair, your fingers on the keys, and getting to work.

And if you want to know the true nature of the writer's muse, go read On Writing by Stephen King. Do it. You can thank me later.

The key is to sit down and just write. Even if you don't know what to write. Even if you have a great "flash of lightning" idea that has failed to incubate into something substantial in the womb of your brain. Even if everything you've tried to write today sucks. Even if all you can do for the first half hour of your writing session is type out the lyrics to Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd. (I recommend it--those are some sublime lyrics.)

Just write. Write mundane crap. Write gobbledygook. Write long enough, and the inspiration will find you, and the words will flow.

That is how you conquer "writer's block".

But! Remember a couple paragraphs ago when I told you that this perceived block is actually telling you that there's a problem? Right. Here are some examples of the issues your "writer's block" might be trying to alert you to.

You don't believe in yourself.

In which case you should definitely put your ass in the chair and write anyway. The more you practice, the better you get, and the more confident you'll be in your ability.

You're approaching the project from the wrong angle.

Try tackling the story from a different character's POV. Or see if you get any epiphanies by writing from the end instead of the beginning. Maybe your journalistic article on Siberian hog farming would be infinitely better as a musical. Whatever. Play with the angle, and then put your ass in the chair and write.

You are writing the wrong thing.

Sometimes this happens. You've picked a project that either you could care less about, or it's just not workable, or you're not yet ready to write it. Before you jump to the conclusion that this is your problem, give it some serious thought. You don't want to get stuck in a never-ending project hop. One of the first rules of writing is "FINISH WHAT YOU START." You don't get a pass just because the project became hard and some other new, shiny idea has taken up residence in your brain. If, after plenty of self-reflection, you decide that "writing the wrong thing" truly is your problem, however, the best way to surmount it is to select a new project, put your ass in the chair, and write.

You're bored.

Take a break. Read a book. Come back to the desk. Ass in chair. Write.

You need a snack, some exercise, or just to get out of the house.

Fine. Just because you're a writer doesn't mean you have to subsist on a diet of ink and coffee. Go get some fresh air. Grab a snack. Take a walk, then come back, put the ass in the chair, and write.

There's something else going on in your life that needs attention.

Totally understandable. Nobody is immune to life stuff. Here's what you do: identify the thing that is distracting you. Make a note of it on a scrap of paper or an index card. Spend a few moments wondering if you can channel that anxiety into your writing somehow. If so, keep your ass in the chair and write. If not, leave the index card sitting where you'll see it when you're done with your daily word count. You can address life stuff after writing time. Keep your ass in the chair and write.

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Hopefully, the advice contained in this post will help you win your battle with the imaginary specter known as "Writer's Block". If not, I have four words for you:

Ass. In. Chair. WRITE.

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I love you, Steemit!

Hi! I'm Leslie Starr O'Hara, but my friends call me Starr. I live in the mountains of North Carolina and I am a FULL TIME WRITER who doesn't wait for the muse to show up before getting to work! I write humor, essays, and fiction here on Steemit and elsewhere.

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@lesliestarrohara