Interlude: Writer's Block, Peer Review, and Overwhelm

I get a lot of questions about how to overcome writer's block. Almost every author reaches a point where they feel mentally blocked, and they are unable to think of what to write or how to move forward in the writing process.

But what if writer's block isn't really about being mentally blocked. What if it's actually about being emotionally drained?

I love Anne Lamott's take on writer's block in Bird by Bird: "I no longer think of it as block. I think that is looking at the problem from the wrong angle...The word block suggests that you are constipated or stuck, when the truth is that you are empty."

I think that writer's block can result from feeling unmotivated, overwhelmed, or frustrated with the writing process. These feelings can become so strong that they drain the energy we need for writing.

What's the remedy? I don't have a one-size-fits-all solution. We are all unique and have different factors that contribute to our challenges with the writing process. But if you find that you are staring at a blinking cursor for more than a few minutes, I suggest one of two things.

My first line of defense is to got for a 10-minute walk outside. A short walk often gives me a little distance from the writing—and a little nature therapy.

Another option is to write anything that comes to your mind, even "I don't know what to write" over and over again. At some point in that process, your thoughts will change and different words will flow.

How do you overcome writer's block? Hit reply and let me know!

And now onto this week's round-up...

💌 Round-up

👓 Reading

The rise and fall of peer review
This article is a longer read, but the author challenges you to think and infuses bits of humor throughout. "All we can say from these big trends is that we have no idea whether peer review helped, it might have hurt, it cost a ton, and the current state of the scientific literature is pretty abysmal. In this biz, we call this a total flop."

Stop the peer-review treadmill. I want to get off
This article offers some interesting alternatives to encouraging researchers to participate in peer review. But as the article suggests, none of the incentives gives researchers what they need most: time.

🎧 Listening

Five Ways to Reduce Overwhelm When Writing (aka Thinking)
In this episode of the Free Time podcsat, Jenny Blake shares 5 ways that she reduces overwhelm in the writing process, including: (1) collect your ideas in a central location, (2) brainstorm nonlinearly, (3) prepare content before sitting down to write, (4) ignite motivation by writing just 7 sentences, and (5) write in smaller chunks.
 

💭 Thoughts

The writing process is not hard because writing is hard.

The writing process is hard because thinking is hard.

📝 Challenge

This week, take 10 minutes to list things you can do to make your writing process easier (if you need inspiration, check out these 10 things). Then do one thing on that list to help set your future self up for success in the writing process.

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal