by Alex Samson

Created on: February 03, 2009

I hate being blocked. It is, unfortunately, a fact of being a writer that some days you simply can't face the blank page or the blinking cursor. Even in this state, if you are anything like me you still feel compelled to bash out/scrawl something, anything out. As annoying as this state of mind is, it is in fact a good thing. It's proof that the writer inside is a fighter and refuses to be daunted by a wall thrown suddenly in its path. Is it right though to stubbornly sit and wait for inspiration?

As far as I know, there are two schools of thought on this issue: one says write, write anything. Simply get the words flowing across the page like any type of therapy this can be particularly painful but hey, nobody said working for a living was easy, even if you do something you love for a living.

The other school of thought advocates the reverse side of the coin and recommends the 'get up, get out, and get over' approach. In other words have a change of scenery, maybe some exercise and fresh air. A walk being the most obvious medicine.

Given that I live on the side of a mountain and have views and walks in all directions, I'm always surprised that I subscribe to the former view. I really do firmly believe that the best way to tackle the writer's block wall is to charge headlong through it. In my experience a sore limb gets better quicker if you submit it to gentle exercise, rather than leaving it immobile. Besides, just working on a different piece of writing can be enough of a change of scenery to get your river of thought flowing right again.

Let me offer an example. Tonight I sat down to work on a screenplay that I've been putting together with a friend, but because of the awful day I've had at work, worries about car repairs, and the size of the latest power bills etc, I find myself, not surprisingly, less than willing to commit my time to the project. Frankly I'd rather be sat in front of the TV or listening to a match that's on the radio.

But I don't believe in giving up. I do believe that if I don't write tonight it will be even harder tomorrow. Writing is like running. It's easy when you do it all the time but if you take time off from the routine it gets harder. Just like a jogger keeps in shape, so we as writers have to keep our minds in shape. In my book that means pushing past blocks by writing. Next time you feel blocked just go nuts and fill a notepad with anything that comes to mind, then see how you feel about the serious writing.

Which all brings me neatly round to why I'm writing this tonight. I mentioned earlier that I was blocked. I'm not now. Forty-five minutes spent putting this piece together has calmed my mind and focussed my attention where it matters. What's my cure for writer's block? Write now.

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