Every writer has sat down at their computer, opened up their manuscript and watched that blinking text cursor taunt them through the screen. You may have even popped a vein just trying to get your brain to actually work. Or given yourself a headache from all the screaming, crying voices in your head.
But what is it? Many people think it’s writers block, which most of the time it will be. But could it also be writers burnout?
Honestly it could be either, depending on you as a writer. But you need to be able to tell the difference. If you don’t know, you might prolong how long it has its slimy grip on you.
In this post we will look at the difference between writers block and writers burnout, so that you can deal with it and get back to writing your book.
What Writer’s Block Feels Like
Writers block is something I despise. It’s not just the inability to write, but also really, really, really increases my impostor syndrome and perfectionism. Which then makes it harder to overcome writers block.
Writers block isn’t just not being able to write something. It’s the feeling of wanting to write and not being able to.
And, that is not because you suck at writing or anything of the sort. It’s usually because you are fighting yourself. That little shit of a voice that says nothing is ever good enough.
This may be anecdotal but this is how it usually plays out for me…
You’ve sat down to write the scene you’ve been dreaming of and it has to be perfect to you. Even though it’s the first draft, or second draft or third. You have played it out in your head over and over like a movie. But that first sentence you write suck. It doesn’t hit hard enough. you’re judging yourself on the first few steps of a marathon.
Overthinking every sentence, you begin to fear writing something bad. Terrible even. Perfectionism fueling every doubt, to the point you’re not even sure of the next beat anymore because what if that sucks too.
Then before you know it, writers block is choking the creative breath from you, and you’re frozen in your workplace, staring into nothing, wondering why you just can’t write as good as others.
That’s Writers block. The sinking feeling, the fear, the pressure. It all adds up. But that’s what it is, it’s a fear/pressure response from yourself.
Not laziness, or any other negative label you used on yourself.
What Writers Burnout Feels Like
This is the one I hear most people comparing to writers block, and it couldn’t be less true. Where Writers block is a sinking feeling, burnout is an empty sensation. You don’t want to write at all.
You feel nothing. A numb reaction to the thought of writing. Sometimes that may even leak into your life. Everything feels flat and nothing brings you joy.
Brain fog takes over and you physically can’t think, imagine or create anything. Sleep doesn’t help the fatigue. No matter how long you sleep, or how well. you still wake up and think… Nope. You just cannot, even think about lifting something that heavy.
You begin internalising it too. Too lazy. Too stupid. Which, are hundred percent not true in the slightest.
When this feeling, or lack of feeling swarms you, it’s your brain screaming at you to rest. Writing burnout is your energy reserves depleted. We writers pour our blood sweat and tears into writing worlds, characters and stories. And we seem to forget we need to refuel because no ones reserves are limitless.
No ones!
The Core Difference
Let’s Recap because I really want my fellow writers and authors to take care of themselves.
Writers block is your brain from any risk it perceives, even your own disappointment. It causes tension and frustration. To get over it, you need gentle momentum.
Writers burnout is your brain protection you from collapse. It causes a feeling of emptiness and responds well to rest and self care.
How to Help Writers Block
Lower The Stakes
If you have a word count goal that is stressing you out, throw it. Give yourself something that is very easily achievable. If you have a thousand, make it five-hundred. This will one, give you the ability to actually meet that goal. Two, when you reach it or go over, you’ll get some well deserved dopamine. And that hormone is wonderful in allowing us to think clearly.
Write Messy
This one may be easier said than done, but try to write messy. Your first, second and the third draft don’t need to be perfect. That’s for the final draft and most of us will have feedback from beta readers by then. The point is, just write and edit later.
Free write
Set a timer for a small amount of time and start tapping away. It really doesn’t matter what you write. All that’s important is that you get sometime down. You can pour your emotions onto the page if you want. And you never know, you might get some lines for a book.
Write Another Scene
If you’re stuck on that scene you want to be perfect, skip it and write another scene that you’re not going to pressure yourself over. Not every author writes in order. Some write the main beats and the fill in the scenes between.
Let The Characters Take Control
This may sound strange to some of you, but often times we are trying to force our characters into the plot. Which is fine. However, sometimes the character may not fit it. So let them take the steering wheel. You never know, they might come out with something you love.
Curiosity, Not Perfection
Instead of writing, trying to make yourself follow a strict path, try this instead. Ask yourself what if. What if my FMC did this instead of that. What if the antagonist does that. And then write it. What ever the idea is, it doesn’t have to be perfect.
Hopefully you can see that the main way to overcome writers block is slow, gradual steps forwards. Not leaps and hops. The children’s story of the rabbit and hare. We don’t always have to be in urgent mode. It’s your book, your story. there’s no need to rush.
What to Do If It’s Burnout
Step away
The first step to writers burnout is stepping away. Your work is still going to be there when you feel ready to return. And sometimes we need space from things. We have breaks from the nine to five jobs too, so why can’t we as an author.
Rest Without guilt
I know, I know. This one is hard for most of us. We learned that resting is lazy and it’s not. But please, know and try to unlearn that one. No one can run on fumes. It’s so very important for us to rest.
Refill Your Creative Well
There are many things you can do that will refill your creativity reserves. It’s mainly about changing your environment and activity. A trip to a museum, a walk in nature, journaling, reading. There is so much you can do.
Reduce Life Stresses
I know what your doing reading that. You’re laughing at me. And trust me I am not one of these “we have the same twenty-four hours” people. No, I have five kids, four home educated. I know life is hard and sucks at times… or all the time. But sometimes there are things we can do to reduce stress in our life, if we’re lucky.
Do Something Grounding or Physical
A walk in the forest, if you have one, is a great way to ground and be physical. We’re creatures of nature and it’s where we truly belong. If that’s not for you, yoga is a good thing to do for the body. Or meditation. If you feel like it grounds you, do it.
Self Care
Self care is my top thing to recommend to people. It is so important for our well being. And it’s not just about soaking in the bath. It’s about doing anything that makes us feel good. A new haircut. Indulging in a hobby for a weekend. Doing yourself up and going in a lunch date with your best friend. If you want to treat yourself to your favourite unhealthy snack, do that too. In fact do all of it.
So, as we can see, if you’re in burnout, recovery is the only way to overcome it. It’s about slowing all the way down. Or as much as you can. A slight warning if you don’t recover, you may not go back to it for a long long time. I speak from experience there.
Why Both Are Normal
Creativity in any form is not a straight perfect line drawn with a ruler. It is cyclical. A constant recurring undulating experience with many highs and lows, inspiration and rest.
Every single writer experiences both and if they say they don’t, they’re lying. Because what they’re doing, is re-framing that they’re just good at overcoming it, by saying they never have it. That’s not what anyone needs to hear.
Having writers block or burnout does not mean you are failing or are lazy or anything like that. It means you’re a human who is putting every single thread of effort you have into writing a story you love.
And that is allowed. Deserved even. I want you all to hear that we deserve rest. We’re not machines. And even they need maintenance.
It’s normal.
Conclusion
I really do hope that my post has come in handy for you and that it helps you overcome the number one enemy of the writer.
It is important to try and recognize the difference between the two, so you can take the right steps to recover from it and get back to telling your story. If you are to in your own head, you can always ask a trusted friend to help you too.
But always respond to your writers block or burnout with compassion, and patience. Never shame.
You will get your spark back when your ready.
If you don’t want to miss a post update subscribe to be notified when I upload. And if you are a supporter in the writing community, leave a comment on ways you have overcome, writers block and burnout.
Until Next Time,
A. R. Moody
Leave a Reply