Writer's Block
 

I recently had one hell of a time writing an analysis essay for an English class, so eventually I gave in and analyzed writer's block. I was surprised at how well (I think) it turned out, considering that I was only half awake when I wrote it. Perhaps I should write late at night more often.

<c>Pulling the Short Straw</c>

In my experiences with writing, I have found that it is sometimes a seamless flow of ideas to words on a page. Other times, though, writing is downright torturous. The perpetually blinking cursor, mocking me from a blank screen, drives me to the very limits of sanity as I desperately search for subjects to analyze. The hours creep along, but I make no progress. My greatest efforts to conjure a topic fail utterly. At best, I manage to generate a few sentences of jumbled thoughts which I quickly discard for their sheer mediocrity. Now sitting in silence, and staring once again at the incessant blinking of the horrible cursor, I concede - my will to continue, finally stretched beyond its limits on the rack of frustration, is broken; I am defeated. But in my darkest moment, hunched over and scowling at the keyboard, inspiration strikes. The very beast that torments me shall be my vehicle to freedom - I will craft an analysis of the creature that I have come to know so well - writer's block.

In its infancy, writer's block is unrecognizable. The unsuspecting victim is nonchalantly searching for subject matter, playing with whatever ideas come immediately to mind. These ideas, however, do not suit the author's taste, will not lend themselves well to the intended theme of writing, or are arbitrarily discarded in hopes of discovering something better. The author may think to himself, "I have plenty of time to find a topic that I like, I'll dwell on this further tomorrow." But much to his dismay, the he will soon find that these words were not his own - they are the roots of writer's block, slowly weaving through his mind; marking the first true sign of the intangible beast: delays in selecting a topic. And so the demon, its fire kindled by the tinder of procrastination, silently festers in the author's brain, waiting for an opportune moment when it can fully emerge from the womb of its host's subconscious. The next time writer's block is encountered, it will be in its second, more hideous incarnation.

When the author re-embarks upon his quest for a topic, he comes face to face with the fiend. Appalled, he prepares to do battle with the great beast and vanquish it before it is allowed to reach full maturity. He arms himself with the gleaming sword of brain-storming and the hardy axe of outline-making, then charges headlong at his nemesis, meaning to smite it in a single, massive onslaught. But these weapons do not avail him, for the beast's shield of ignorance is broad and resilient. The author, humbled by his defeat, attempts to devise a new method of slaying the writer's block. He discusses his plight with friends and family members in hopes of an outside perspective imparting insights that will aid him in this task. Some ideas that he finds using this method seem at first to fend the abominable block off, but the beast always returns - now by way of false starts and dead ends, which deter the author most of all. And yet, there is hope left still, though it may be hidden in the most unlikely place: the beast itself.

Writer's block has become the champion of the author's mind and will allow no fresh ideas or well-worded phrases pass through unhindered. The author, his thoughts devoid of anything but the block itself, despairs at his condition. But in this final hopelessness, he spots a weakness in the beast's scales. In its complete domination of the author's thoughts, the block reveals a method by which it may be destroyed - the author must use his bane to achieve salvation; he will use writer's block itself as a topic to analyze. And thus it is by the most improbable means that the beast is ultimately cast down and slain. Being free of his torment, the author reclaims the realm of his thoughts, and the people rejoiced.

Writer's block, the sworn enemy of essayists, novelists, and journalists of all races and creeds, is most effectively combated with logic, patience, and perhaps most of all, an ability to acknowledge that not everything we write can be on a subject that truly appeals to us. It seems that the harder one struggles against writer's block, the more powerful it becomes, until a maximum point of frustration is reached, and in cases where a time restraint is present, the author must yield to whatever topic he pulls out when grasping at the metaphorical straws.

A very superb analysis of the writer's block. The above quote from the end of your essay couldn't be more true!

I find quite a bit of humor in the fact that you wrote on the very topic that was preventing you from writing. Quite clever of you I must say.

Thanks for your input! Always pleasing to hear good things :)

I really liked reading this interpretation. I had many many times when I have to give in to writers block, but I have learned to just wait it out.

Would you mind if I posted this on a writing-centered community that I'm on? It's a great piece of writing.

(I would, of course, give you full credit and a link, whatever form you wanted it in.)

No, I wouldn't mind at all! If you could post the link here so I can see what people have to say about it, that would be superb.

Well, the site went down before I had a chance to post it, 'cause of a server switch and massive database crash (i.e., most of the data was corrupted). I'll make sure it's up there as soon as I redo it (since I'm doing a complete rehaul of site structure and design, as well, to justify having it down for more than about an hour).

Again, I thought (and still think) that it was a pretty damned good piece, quite honest and creative, especially since you managed to knock off the writer's block while you were at it.

You have an amazing way with words, I like your particular use of metaphors and with permission I would love to introduce it to my teacher as an example of metaphoric writing. My English teacher and I are good friends, she would appreciate work of this quality.

I, too, am struggling with writer's block, but I am not limited with time as others are. I do not have a report or assignment that is due. I like to write for myself, and yet, lately I haven't been able to write much more the a few sentences at a time.

:)

Thanks for the kind words everyone, they are certainly encouraging.

And of course, Luki (or anyone else) - you can show my essay to anyone you want.

Well, part of me wants to say I hate you, just for comeing up with this before me. I've been unable to write anything new for a long time now. Now I'll have to think of some other way to get over it. Very well done piece. I enjoyed it.