Is "Writer's Block" desirable?

by David Foster
8th May 2013

I was talking with a writer the other day - he was "blocked" - what should/could he do?

Well... whatever anyone suggested there was a reason it wouldn't work.

I have known this in other interests/hobbies and even professions.

So - I have come to the question: is "writer's block" something that can be desirable? Does it (sometimes at least) have a useful function?

:-)

Replies

I have never suffered from writers block to form an objective opinion. But I don't see how writers block could be useful. From other peoples comments it appears to be a source of much frustration.

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Adrian
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Adrian Sroka
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I guess that it could be useful. Often when returning to a story or chapter after a time away from it, I find that I think, 'I really wrote THAT?!' and just edit and edit and edit. Writer's block usually results in a big sulk during which I won't go anywhere near the piece I'm struggling with; when I'm finally feeling brave enough to return, often just reading it over will present me with new ideas and solutions.

It's blimming annoying at the time, though!

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