I have of late lost all my mirth

Writer's (writers') (writers) block, for me, means I can't seem to find the starting line or next line for a particular piece. Fortunately, I can often switch to a different piece for a while and come back to the "stuck" one later. More often than not, that's all it takes to clear my head. So, in my case, the workaround is to have a "working" folder.

Writer's block to me means distractions and indecisiveness. Ridding myself of distractions like, for instance, in your case, mood. It can be the factor. It's hard to concentrate when every other thought leads back to analyzing what caused the mood change in the first place. Why bother at that point until you have moved further passed that particular distraction. Then there are times when I can't make up my mind. Sometimes it's the title, the opening paragraph or the plot. When it starts to change too much, I just have to walk away for a few hours. Other than those two things, I can usually sit down at any time and write something without fail. I don't think I've slept a solid 6-8 hours in a row for at least 2-3 years. I don't know what changed. It could be that I'm a night owl and my biological clock wants me to get up at 6 am every morning regardless of how tired I am. I need to start going to bed at 10pm instead of 1am. 😅 I enjoyed the psychology behind this article, thank you.

I do the blurry faces thing, too. Guess it makes it easy for people to get the casting right when it's adapted for the screen 😁 I'm pretty sure everyone wakes in the night, like everyone dreams. But lots of people don't remember it. I'd bet large sums that a person who claimed not to wake would be surprised if they were ever hooked up to a machine that recorded it. For writers' block, I think the apostrophe goes after the S, because it's a block that writers have 🧐🤔 I've spent too long puzzling over this. I think you're probably right that it manifests differently for everyone and most of us assume that's it's the same.

So many interesting thoughts- I'm in the 'can't get to sleep for hours but once I am, a rocket launch outside my window couldn't rouse me' camp. I don't know about writer's block really becuae I only ever sit down to write if I feel like it or have a thought. I've never really bothered trying. Kinda like if you got nothing to say...say nothing.I feel an experiement coming on now though!

Yes to all the above, as far as I'm concerned, though less as an inability to write something than as a lack of inspiration, motivation, creativity or desire. Sometimes it's that all that seems to come out is rubbish. Best wishes to you.

Writer's block, or so it seems to me, is what happens when writer's write for deadlines, whatever kind. It's only a block when you are trying to force it to flow. Otherwise, it comes and goes of its own as it should. I treat my work like Mr. Miyagi taught Danielson to treat the bonsai trees in "Karate Kid". A little snip here, a little snip there. Let them grow on their own but give them a direction. Eventually, when they are done, you plant them in the wild with love. But this does not work for making money on the fly. Great, however, for creating Art and experiencing fulfillment thereby.

There's a lot going on here Hannah. As for sleep, if I get three nights a week where I don't toss and turn I feel well rested. Sometimes I sleep on the lounge to give my wife a break. A problem for creatives I suspect. As for writer's block, I am struggling to write the latest challenge; and I love writing about dragons and forests and such. I need to be in some kind of excited state, whether it be anxious, happy or even angry to write. If I'm bored or tired or sad, I've got nothing. This piece reads really well, even if it's not fiction or poetry. I'm having hand surgery soon, I expect to get all my inspiration when I can't type. You're a good writer, it will come when you want it.

As for me, writer's block happens when we push ourselves to write when we don't have the urge to write and thus being unable to write. So if we only write when we have the urge to do so, we would never have writer's block. So that's what it is for me. I hope that makes sense 😅 Sorry about your back, hope you feel better soon ❤️

What I mostly have is crap block. I sit at the computer, my head brimming with ideas only a moment or two earlier before I begin vomiting on the page. Then I'll sit back crossly and say screw this and watch the telly instead. Or even worse, I'll write furiously before the 4 or 5 paragraphs that I have splashed onto the page and say to myself, "Damn ... that's pretty good shit. But when I come back the next day, I discover to my horror that it's just crap. Sometimes I'm too busy hating myself and hating life to write. But as you say, that's not writer's block. It's just an overdose of a shitty attitude. Lastly, I'll have spells when work is so damn hard that nothing is left at all. On those days I plop down in front of the telly and watch absolute crap. Sorry you asked, yet?

Good luck, Hannah! This is an interesting topic, I too make assumptions about these types of things. I’d say my writers block is the uninspired kind, not necessarily of writing in general but if I don’t have an idea I’m legitimately excited about there can be some forced and often stunted attempts but no real flow

Sorry about your back. That's rubbish. Rest up for sure. Thought this was a really interesting article. I feel like I can only write when I am feeling upbeat and well. If I have injured my achilles running then it's like it bleeds into whole areas of my life. I'm dramatic like that! Anyway..... thought this was great and your writing is excellent as always.

I think you nailed it for me with this "riddled with false starts, crossed through in increasing vexation." I always want to write, sometimes I just have nothing to say. I'm the one sitting with the pen, or at the keyboard, with nothing coming out. Then suddenly, when I'm not looking, I'll find inspiration. Sorry to hear things are not exactly running smoothly and that you pulled your back out. 🤗

I love thinking about this kind of stuff! I don’t know the answers but 🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️. And good luck! 😁😁

Mmm, I do and I don't. I have moments of furtive inspiration where I spill out things like a jug. Then, I have moments where ideas form and take moulding like a pot. Sometimes, I have to use stimulus to get ideas and then I'm off. But always I have the drive to write. And if not write, then read. But usually write. It is the thing that I love to do the most now. Almost like an addiction. Even if I write crap. But then, my life is, I think, easy, and by the sounds of it, has less demands than yours. Maybe those are the differences. Can I just say that this read with a sort of Shakespearean vibe which I rather liked?

First of all, such a fun and interesting read. I really enjoy seeing your thoughts coalesce in essays like this. I experience the block, though I have some thoughts about it. Usually, it happens when I want to write a specific kind of thing and can’t either because I’m in a more prosey or ranty or feelingy type of mood than whatever I’m trying for. This poses an issue when I’m working on a project of, say, poetry, and my mind wants to explore something philosophical instead but I havent yet realized that I should just switch projects, so I continue trying to no avail. There are other times that I experience a lack of interest or passion, but I usually don’t consider that a block because I don’t write unless I’m at LEAST wanting to and feeling like I can. To me, a block is me trying and failing. Even if the words are terrible, it isn’t a true block if I got something started that I can work on later. Although, I do consider it a bit of a sliding scale. A creativity block definitely is a thing. I haven’t been inspired to write a fiction story that I actually want to SAY something with for a very long time. Then there is the cycle of my communication as it flows with my female cycles, lol. Definitely notice I get worse at expressing when I’m closer to my time of the month. Is it a block? No…just a time for a different kind of writing. Planning, reading, not posting. Sorry for the long, contemplative comment! I very much enjoy the notion of challenging one’s beliefs about the world. I hope you get some unique perspectives out of this and I hope your family stuff is okay. ❤️

ohh god the check dream....yes I would love to sleep comfortably for once, that's all I need.

I share the same sentiment on the bed and sleep front and writer's block. I never have the textbook vision in my head of "not being able to write something" I have taught myself that while I may find it hard to write on a specific piece I want to...I can usually write something else instead. I understand you being upset and not wanting to do anything...as for whether that really qualifies as proper writer's block I don't know. I have days like that...but usually it extends beyond writing and I can't be arsed with anything. sorry you've had more family issues, though. Hope it clears for you in time and you have brighter days. sorry, if this is not helpful...but just giving my thoughts on writer's block as I see it. I understand that people suffer from it, but for me, it's more I just find other things to write if I come across a ablock. Interestingly, the box at the bottom of the screen is your chewed up knickers...which is making me giggle. lol.

Like you, it is a different form of writers block, an uninspiring one. I love when words flow out of me freely. Lately they feel forced, so I write less. I still say it is the winter blues having an affect. Once spring comes I’ll be fine. I hope you find your inspiration.

I never have writer’s block. I only get up at night for the bathroom. Perhaps the kidneys are the organ of creativity.