Pet Peeve #47 - Writer’s Block Whiners
Not every writer does this, but I’ve heard it enough to make it a strong marker on my pet peeve list.
Writer’s block whiners.
I’ve had writer’s block. I accept it exists because it is the reason I am happily writing away on one novel instead of slogging through molasses on another novel. Note the important bit, though: I’m still writing. Exciting, I know.
I get annoyed by the writers who, because they ‘simply can’t move on past this scene’ in their first draft science fiction novel, they simply don’t write. What? No, don’t do that. Just because you ‘can’t’ work on one project means you’re simply going to not write for however long?
This is the part where I smack my forehead.
Oh, so you have writer’s block? Okay, accept it and move on. Having ‘the block’ is not your excuse to walk away from the notebook/computer to go play video games. (Even if you do consider your Xbox your muse, leave it alone because you’re probably ripping off the story line of the game in one way or another.)
Writer’s block isn’t the inability to write, it’s feeling like you are unable to write. Sure, I feel like having a family size bag of M&Ms while I work today, but that doesn’t mean I go ahead and have it. I don’t have the money to waste or the gym time to spend working it off, so I override what I feel by using logic.
So, poor and pouty writers, bulldoze through. If you can’t, work on something else because you obviously have the block with your current work in progress for a reason…
November 27th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
I’ve found that writer’s block for me means that the story has veered off-course and I need to rip out the last paragraph or two to reset, and then I’m off and running again.
November 27th, 2007 at 6:25 pm
Susan - That’s a good way of looking at it. Just go back a little and then keep going.
November 28th, 2007 at 10:17 pm
Yeah, writer’s block for ME means I’ve made a boo boo somewhere in story structure and I’m too lazy to figure out what I did wrong. LOL! But I “eventually” figure it out. (After a few good whines)
November 29th, 2007 at 5:59 pm
Oh yes, we must have the whines and the grumbles. Hehe.
December 2nd, 2007 at 10:12 am
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