Writer's Block

[annwfyn]

It was pointed out to me yesterday that it seems to take me an awfully long time to write essays. I can spend hours fiddling with an essay, writing and re-writing paragraphs, trying to organise bullet points, and in the end it will take me days just to write 5000 words.

On some level, I do think this is ridiculous. It does not take days to just hit the keyboard. It doesn't take days to churn out something...anything. In my days at the National Archives of Scotland, when I was bored and producing a shadow_writers story per day, plus voluminous quantities of e mail, I think I was churning out more than that.

So why does it take me so long now?

Why do I need to potter endlessly?

And why is it when I am 500 words away from completing this goddamn essay, handing it in and being finished with it all, I am utterly at a loss as to how to do this?

Comments

writer's block and general procrastination

[melsner.livejournal.com]

Well, I know that the more 'important' something is, the harder it is. Even if, in reality, it should be easy. I churn out emails constantly or aim conversations, what have you. and when I actually get a groove on, a story will sometimes just pour out of me. hardest part is just getting started. Other times giving blood would be easier.

i've had simple tasks sitting on to do lists for years now... things that seem impossible but could be accomplished if one just started them.

there's also maybe a perfectionism and insecurity factor...