“I feel blocked, like I’m going nowhere.  I’m stumped about what to write.”  You might have made this or a similar statement to yourself, and you’re bound to have heard this remark from others.  What exactly is writer’s block anyway?  Well it sure isn’t a medical condition or a mental disability.  There is something bigger going on than the writer’s block.

Writer’s block is often your bodies way of simply expressing fear or anxiety over your writing.~Writer’s block is frequently the body’s method of expressing fear or anxiety about writing. ~Fear

Fear and/or anxiety may be expressed by your body by developing writer’s block.  Be truthful: Does the subject of your writing bring you discomfort, and if you believe that it does, then why? Sometimes writing about the discomfort itself can help you.  Be honest with yourself regarding any fear you might have with regard to negative judgments of your readership, including family or friends who might happen upon your work (which is one reason some writers use pseudonyms).
  Are more serious spiritual issues influencing everything?  Go deep into your own self. What is the stumbling block? It is  FEAR.  These feelings may not be erased from you mind, but, if chosen to be ignored, you can still just write.

A commonly believed issue is that a blocked ability to write is found in what is being written.   If you don’t believe what you write, it becomes a long, torturous process.  Make an effort to be brutally honest with yourself.  Is the topic something that really strikes a chord with you?  Are you writing something that comes from the heart, or are you just writing what you think people want to hear?  Please check up whether you omit the points that  are  uncomfortable for you spiritually.  

If writing is good, it will be honest.  It will be a lot easier to write about something that is meaningful for  you.  Readers have an unerring sense of the false note; in order to win them over, then, there is nothing to gain by trying to trick them!

Explore how to understand writer’s block with this mini spiritual writing online course

1. Just Write

One of the most difficult things about spiritual writing, or any type of writing for that matter, can simply be to get the thoughts flowing.To avoid writers block, just allow yourself to write.Make sure in the beginning stages that you don’t over analyze what you’re writing or judge it.

You don’t even need to edit in the beginning; just let the ideas flow.  It is much simpler to delete, insert, and polish after the bulk of the content is written rather than trying to do it too deeply as you go.  By following this tip, you may find that content emerges that is not what you originally had in mind…maybe even better.

2. Let Someone Read It

After you have your main ideas down, and maybe after a very basic re-write, find someone you know and trust and alone them to read your story.  This is even helpful if you don’t intend to ever have the material published because their feedback may help you to clarify your thoughts and feelings on the subject matter more objectively.  It may even spark new inspiration to add to the spiritual story or for a new story entirely.

If sharing your work with others is a priority, be sure to ask the person to give you a critical review.They should review all parts of the writing, including syntax and grammer, as well as content and appeal.  Have them discuss their feelings about the story and what type of thoughts reading the story lead them to.This is a great way to see how effective your writing is and if it causes the intended reaction.  You may even find it brings up thoughts and feelings that were not intentional, but still very positive.

3. Edit and then Edit Some More

A great spiritual story is all about the message it contains, but if the writing isn’t properly polished that message may get lost.Be sure to perfect your spelling and grammar.  Reword any sentences that feel awkward or stilted.  Reduce the content to only what is absolutely necessary to relay your story in the way you intend.  Million dollar words are worthless if they aren’t the right words.  Analyze how you might better use common literary devices in your writing such as alliteration, symbolism, and fore shadowing.Once it’s finished (to you), let somebody else give it a read.

There are almost always places where it could be improved.You don’t have to do everything that somebody recommends, but make sure that you at least analyze what they say and understand clearly why you don’t feel it is appropriate.