It frustrates me when people say that writer's block doesn't exist. As if denying we have a problem will make the problem go away. When has that ever worked, for anything?
I can't speak for all writers, but for me, writer's block is totally a thing. A real, tangible force of resistance and sabotage. I'm embarrased to admit how many "cure your writer's block" books I've bought over the years. And how little they have managed to actually cure my writer's block. The approach that has worked for me has very little in common with popular advice. It contains no tricks or hacks or cool apps to try. It will seem counterintuitive, and even downright offensive to a lot of people.
I apologize in advance.
But if the regular advice hasn't worked for you yet, maybe it's time to try the counterintuitive thing. You might be pleasantly surprised by the results.
So here it is:
How to cure writer's block in 4 counterintuitive steps:
1. Realize you don't have to write.
It might seem obvious, but unless you're contractually obligated to deliver a first draft of something, or you're a copywriter at an ad agency and your boss has a gun to your head, you don't actually HAVE to write. Most of the time, you just feel like you should write.
Why do you feel that way?
Do you have some god-given responsibility of saving the world with your ideas? Do you need to prove your parents wrong? Do you feel like you need to "fulfill your potential" by becoming this great author person? Are you clinging to the idea of yourself as one who writes in a certain way, about a certain topic?
Be honest with yourself. Why do you really do it?