Cameron Conaway's Blog - Posts Tagged "curiosity"
The 2 (or 3) step cure for writer's block
1. Stop referring to it as writer's block. The term speaks to the result, not the cause. It’d be like calling a fall down the steps a broken bone. Having worked with thousands of creative writing students from around the world, I've come to believe that swapping writer's block with curiosity fatigue makes it easier to address (and it's more accurate, so there's that).
2. Figure out why you’re fatigued. A lack of sleep? Juggling too many competing priorities? Relationship stress? Lost the arc of your character's development? Understanding why you're fatigued isn't always necessary, but I've found it to be helpful—especially for writers who have been fatigued for long periods.
3. Reclaim your curiosity. Doing so can take many forms—from not opening your manuscript for a few days and detoxing from coffee (I know, I know) to getting a great night of sleep or visiting an art museum. Taking care of yourself and intentionally getting out of your comfort zone are tried and true ways to reclaim your curiosity.
2. Figure out why you’re fatigued. A lack of sleep? Juggling too many competing priorities? Relationship stress? Lost the arc of your character's development? Understanding why you're fatigued isn't always necessary, but I've found it to be helpful—especially for writers who have been fatigued for long periods.
3. Reclaim your curiosity. Doing so can take many forms—from not opening your manuscript for a few days and detoxing from coffee (I know, I know) to getting a great night of sleep or visiting an art museum. Taking care of yourself and intentionally getting out of your comfort zone are tried and true ways to reclaim your curiosity.
