When we last left our heroes (i.e. all of you at WU) we were discussing writer’s block, whether it is real, whether it’s just an excuse, whether it’s caused by fear or sloth or perhaps an ill-crafted story.

Today, fearless ones, we are going to explore the two roads we might take when writer’s block descends like the Joker over the Gotham of our stories. Consider this post a bit of a Choose Your Own Adventure.

Choice One: In spite of that terrible feeling of blockage, you keep writing. Keep your tush in your chair. Keep your hands on the keyboard. Keep at it. Keep calm. Keep tinkering. Keep your eye on the goal. Keep up with the Kardashians (no, don’t do that).

Choice Two: When writer’s block attacks your psyche, you can take a break. Take a walk. Take out a book of poetry and read it aloud. Take a bath or a breath or a vacation, even if that vacation is a trip to the grocery store with your elderly neighbor who can no longer drive to get groceries.

Which adventure–keep going or take a break–do you choose? I don’t know, and I don’t know because there is no single right path. That said, in order to make a smart and thoughtful choice, it’s important to consider not Which path do I choose? but What got me stuck in the first place? The answer to this question will help you choose wisely.  [Read more…]