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Has anybody got writers block?

edited August 2006 in - Writing Problems

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  • I was just wondering if anybody suffers from writers block? I suffer from depression and every now and again I find I can't write, and lose all motivation. Does anybody else have a similar problem? If so how do you manage to overcome it?

    Dannii x
  • I take my happy pills daily to combat depression, and have done for several years.
    They keep me stable most of time, although the past few months have been extremely difficult - mainly due to external stresses such as financial problems and a bullying Boss.
    My writing has most certainly suffered. If I have lots of things on my mind I cannot switch into writing mode no matter how hard I try. I have to tackle the problems first.
    I have sought help for the financial side and I have been applying for jobs for several months - finally resulting in an offer of employment with a local university a week ago. I handed in my notice yesterday - and boy it felt wonderful!
    I can feel the blackness fading day by day now and I hope that I will soon be back to normal, writing daily once again.
    I used to beat myself up over not writing but that just added even more stress - I now tackle the root causes and leave the writing to come back naturally, which it inevitably does.
    I wish you luck Dannii, and hope you know you are not alone. x
  • Thankyou both for your replies. I feel that I can't concentrate either when I'm depressed, although the problem which mainly causes my depression isn't going to be fixed any time soon, therefore I really need to find a way to get on top of it.

    I did used to be on anti-depressants although I found they just made me sleepy all the time (yes I did try out other different types). I feel anti-depressants don't deal with the issues, rather numb you from them. (that's just how I've come to feel about them anyway).

    Anyhow, try to stay focused, and know you're not alone! Its nice to know there are others who had similar experiences.

      Dannii x
  • Danni, I can't write when I'm depressed. It just saps everything out of me, and I have to close down and only do essentials. Once I start to feel better the writing comes back fairly quickly. Admitedly, I don't get deep depression now, but it does effect my writing ability.
  • Having read your post I felt that I couldn't come out of it without replying. I suffer from bouts of depression, anxiety and low self esteem and the effects on my writing are the same as you described. Sometimes I can't face going out, which many people can't understand. I tried medication but the side effects made my poor self image worse.  I read a book called 'Sunbathing in the Rain' about a writer who suffers from depression. That helped me to work through some of the causes of my own depression and anxiety.
  • I'm going through that at the moment, a couple of things that help are writing in my diary after work. It's were I put things that have happened (good and bad) I think it might be the place that I work in (winery) that depletes my motivation. And the second is being on Talkback. 
  • Thankyou for your replies, I'm glad I'm not alone, and please know if ever you need to talk I'm here. Sallyannie... I'm not sure when you say you find it hard to go out sometimes having poor self image... whether that is the cause of your depression or not. Although I thought I'd mention incase you don't already know, I suffer from Body Dysmorphia, and it is the whole reason I have depression! I don't go out at all because of my Dysmorphia, I have a very bad self image of myself. So I understand how that feels completely.

      Dannii x
  • Hi Dannii

    I also suffer with depression & anxiety and yes it does stop me from writing, but if I can just manage to push myself to write, even if just to describe how I am feeling, I find it can really help. I know it's hard to motivate yourself and to view your writing as worthy when you feel very low, but it is worth the struggle.
    I have also read the book called sunbathing in the rain, it's written by a wonderful welsh poet called Gwyneth Lewis and is worth a read if you can get hold of a copy.
    I know very little about body dysmorphia, but imagine it to be a complex issue and something that's very hard to deal with. Have you been able to get specialist help with this?
    I was given beta blockers for the anxiety and they made me feel absolutely horrendous, slowing me down to such an extent that it was a huge effort even to move about - but perhaps it was just me...
    Please keep on writing Dannii, I'm sure you have some wonderful things to say.
    Keep in touch
    Lizzie
  • I don't get clinically depressed, but I'm at a low ebb at the moment even though I'm at the stage in my writing when I can't wait for people to give me feedback because I'm dying to send it off to my first (of many???) chosen publisher.

    For reasons totally beyond the control of both of us, Switzerland is not the best place to be at the moment (Tessa knows the full story, I shan't go into it here), but until we get some things sorted out, we don't have much choice.

    However - and this is the good bit - my OH is so encouraging about my writing, and I know many people don't have that encouragement.  He's very honest, so when he told me that he's liking what he's read so far of the ms, it gave me a genuine lift.

    Keep at it, even if, like me, you sometimes feel it's all you may be any good at...
  • Hi Dannii How are you getting on this week? I had a bad weekend but forced myself to go out on Sunday. I went on my own so there were no time pressures. At times like this I often go to a cafe in a garden centre as it's somewhere you can feel comfortable sitting on your own. I just sat daydreaming for about an hour and felt better for it. If I do that at home I feel guilty about all the things I should be doing, which makes it harder to get things done.  :)
  • I think we have a tendancy to link poblems that are really completely separate. I became a widower last year after 40 years of marriage, I don't thik I became depressed, bloody furious  yes. I am lucky in being I suppose fairly well off yet occasionly my writng runs into  real brick wall.  I usually go away for a few ays or go to one of the better restaurants, new faces or places seem to kick start thre motor, If life was more of a struggle I am sure my wrting would be better
  • I suffer from depression too and have taken anti-depressants for many years. My doctor calls it adjustment disorder. When I do get writer's block I tend to write some poetry that reflects my depressive mood. I also write in my journal to get all the dark thoughts out onto paper. I do not get writer's block that often any more but when it comes I just let it run its course. No point dwelling over it eh!
    My depression was caused by a violent partner (no need to go into detail) So I tend to write stories that deal with it. Then I will go back to writing my fantasy novel.
    At least now I know that I am not the only writer who suffers.
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