Opinions differ on if Writer's Block is real.
However, writers who have ever suffered from loss of creativity will tell you just how real and frightening Writer's Block is.

If you are in a state of mind in which ideas refuse to flow and you feel your imagination has abandoned you forever, then know that you are not alone and there are degrees of self-help which can release the creativity within and help you to overcome writer's block.

Obvious causes of writer's Block such as anxiety, tiredness and overworking can have a negative impact on a writer's productivity and thought processes. If this is the case, try looking for ways to create balance in your life. Your passion and goal, whether it is to become a successful published author or something else entirely, matters greatly. Try to find balance and follow your dream.

Here I have given a few suggestions of where to look for the possible cause of Writer's Block. I hope it may help.

Are you trying to write the wrong story for you?

For the creative writer, dreaming is part of the whole creative process. If you do not care enough about your characters or their story, you will be unable to dream and visualize your way into their lives.

If you are unable to get inside your characters minds and know their motivations, their loves and hates, their personality traits and their story, then no amount of forcing yourself to write is going to help with writer's block. Try putting the story aside for a while and look for what excites you.

A whole new set of characters that intrigue you so much that you passionately want to be the one to tell their story, may just get you back on track.

Have you written yourself into a dead end?

Sometimes during the creative writing process, characters will take on a life of their own, regardless of what you have plotted and planned for them. The story begins to take on an atmosphere, a will of its own. This is being directed by your subconscious. If you have ever had times when you feel as if you have no control and something or someone other than yourself is dictating the story to you, then you will know what is meant by this.

In most instances this is good and what many creative writers strive for. But if you have strong willed characters that simply will not do what you want them to do and are taking you down blind alleys, then this may be the cause of your writer's block and it may just be a case of bringing them back in line.

Check if this could be the cause and if it is then aim to control the plot on a more conscious level. Just be careful in doing so not to lose the special gift of discovery your characters are giving you.

Do you have enough plot to carry your story forward?

It is not enough to have just an idea, however brilliant that idea may be. If there is not enough plot to crystallize the idea then your story will likely come to a halt or be too fragmented. Check that you have enough significant events and consequences in your plotting to drive the story forward to its conclusion. If the plot is too thin or simply a version of real life it may be just a case of you being unsure of where to go with the story rather than it being writer's block.

Do you know your characters intimately?

If you do not know who your characters are and what motivates them, then they are strangers to you. Without an intimate knowledge of them you will not know their likely reaction to situations or life itself. You will be unable to move them through your story or even be sure of what the story is about that you are trying to tell. Even if your story is mostly plot driven you will still need to know enough about your characters for action and reaction to make any sense in the context of the story. Check that lack of knowledge of your characters is not causing your story to lose pace and you to lose interest.

Are you procrastinating?

Writer's Block is probably not the cause of being unable to get started each day, or at whichever time you normally set aside for your writing. A reluctance to start writing can be caused by any of the above suggestions or simply be a temporary lack of self-discipline.

Look for ways to get yourself motivated again. One way of doing this is to finish off your writing for the day either half way through a paragraph or at a critical point where you know what is to happen next. This will make it easier to jump straight back in and start writing again the next time.

Reading through and editing what you wrote the day before can also help you get back into the right creative mindset.

If you have a favourite author whom you are greatly influenced by, then read a chapter from a book written by that author. If the author inspired you to write in the first place, then that inspiration can be rekindled and have you writing again in no time.

Please keep in mind that Writer's Block can be overcome. Writer's Block is an effect so look deeply for the cause and try to resolve it. Soon you will be writing again with enthusiasm and creativity.

Let go of the tension, try to find what is causing your writer's block, and get back to creating those wonderful worlds, characters and stories we are all waiting to read about!

Jan Russell
Writes for www.write2create.com