by Theresa Ann White

Created on: April 20, 2009

Calling writer's block an "illusion" is a path toward explaining what happens. But to thoroughly examine the experience, and determine whether this is an illusion, then definitions for each element of the experience - from the individual to the act of writing - are needed.

Are You a Candidate for Writer's Block?

An individual who experiences writer's block must be someone who writes meaningful expressions on a regular basis. The meaningful expressions can fit into any genre from journal writing to news writing to fiction writing or poetry. This creative and intellectual expression must occur habitually. In other words, the person writes daily or every other day or once a week. The important thing is that there is a pattern to the writing exercise.

Someone who writes sporadically, without a routine and as whimsy hits, will not experience writer's block. Why not? Because this individual has not developed the "habit" of writing. The act of writing is not ingrained in their psyche. There is no mental or emotional investment in writing. It is an activity that may or may not take place, and when it does not occur, there is no sense of loss.

The person who has developed a habit of writing will experience writer's block. Now to the question: is this an illusion or a reality?

Illusion or Reality?

Without going into quantum theory, let's just agree that reality is determined by each individual. It's the cup half-filled or the cup half-empty kind of experience. What you perceive when you look out your window on a Sunday morning and view your neighbor walking down the street with another person is not the same perception as that neighbor. You may tell yourself: "He's arguing again." However, the neighbor is thinking to himself: "Wow, I'm really enjoying this intellectual exchange!"

The difference between illusion and reality becomes harder to pin down, now that we understand each person has his or her own version of experience. There are optical illusions, of course. Tricks that the eyes play when viewing abstract designs. A classic example is the beautiful woman with the feathered hat or the old hag with the double chin.

But writer's block - now that seems cold, hard reality! You've been writing up a storm for days. There's no hesitation when you sit before the keyboard. Suddenly, the flow has stopped. How could this not be a real, verifiable experience?

The Illusion of Writer's Block

The fact is that writer's block is an illusion. It is a fantasy. What has occurred is that the writer is experiencing the ebb and flow of creativity. He enjoyed the stimulating phase of this spectrum, peaked and is now on the downward curve. But the reality is: the writer can still write.

All that is required is to put pen to paper or fingertips to keyboard, engage the mind and do it. You may not write as quickly as before. You may not enjoy a rush of words. But you can still write. It is a mechanical exercise that involves the brain and your appendages.

The Reality of the Writer's Experience

What is termed "writer's block" is a natural slowing process. It may occur when the dedicated writer needs time and cognition or rest and relaxation. The dedicated writer recognizes this cycle, groans and continues. She may take a day off. Or she may pound away at the computer, forcing out a few words, a cockeyed sentence, three lines of a poem.

But the dedicated writer does not tear out her hair or anguish over the absence of her muse. She keeps on writing. She recognizes that the mystique of writer's block is just that - something glamorized and made into a monster of mythic proportion.

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