It’s easy to find articles on ways to spark creativity and overcome the greatly feared “author’s slump.” It happens to most writers at some point. However, just like taking pain relief medication treats a symptom but does nothing to resolve an underlying cause, it’s important to understand what causes writer’s block, not just how to overcome it.
Discovering the most common root causes for writer’s block might help you avoid it. Even if you still experience it, knowing what is causing your specific condition can help you determine the best way to deal with it. Regardless of what causes your creative juices to stop flowing, try not to panic; even the most prolific authors fall into a rut sometimes.
The psychological, motivational, cognitive and behavioral causes of writer’s block
Self-analysis is a useful tool when trying to determine the root cause of writer’s block. Throughout your career as a Christian fiction author, you might go through several rough patches. You might also find that each “slump” has a separate, underlying cause. On the other hand, after careful review, you might discover that the same issue is causing problems repeatedly. Here are the most common causes of “drawing a blank slate” when you sit down to write a book:
- Physical, mental or emotional health problems or stress
- Fear
- Excessiveness
- Issues regarding time, effort and writing environment
Just as a medical condition can be acute (meaning that it came on suddenly and unexpectedly), writer’s block can blindside even the most experienced authors. If you suffer a death in the family or are dealing with a crisis, stress may affect your ability to think creatively. You might fear failure. Surprisingly, many people think they fear failure when what they actually fear is success.
Good enough is good enough when writing a book
If you’re excessive about your writing, you might find yourself frequently experiencing writer’s block. Being excessive refers to perfectionism, too much revision, and generally never being satisfied with your work. When you develop such habits, your brain might put up a “roadblock” whenever you sit down to write.
You don’t necessarily have to have a space set aside for writing when you’re an author (although it’s highly recommended), but if you routinely try to write in a crowded or noisy place, it’s going to be difficult. Also, the “I’ll get to it when I get to it” attitude is not conducive to writing success. Most experienced (I.e., best-selling) authors will tell you that they schedule time to write. Once you understand the causes of writer’s block, you can take steps to avoid it or, at least, to address the problematic issue in a swift and appropriate manner.
