This so-called writer’s “wall” or “block” is, like all other syndromes, a kind of nebulous guess (instead of a real scientific diagnosis) by those supposedly in the know. I agree with Josh on his three points.

But this wall thingy is just an excuse, a self-fulfilling prophesy that overworked/underpaid writers fall back on. Time and again.

I mean, what if other professions THAT ARE PUT UP ON PEDESTALS, would talk like us whiny writers:

“Dear, I’m not going into work today to do that eye surgery. I’ve hit the wall!”

“Coach, I feel kinda icky today so I won’t be able to quarterback in today’s Super Bowl!”

“Gunny, I think I just hit the wall. I’m sleepin’ in. You Marines cover for me!”

I think you get the picture.

Writers are such an angst-filled bunch! Throwing up walls where none need be.

Friends, I read a LOT of blogs and other electronic copy, and many folks who claim to be writers should not be writing!

If it’s not one thing, then it’s another.

A wise writing mentor advised that to be a successful wordsmith, one needs alligator skin. Not lambskin.

Many who write are terrified of the simple truth that writing is a BUSINESS. As such, a real writer needs to school him/herself in the delicate art of sales — the art of the “deal.” Otherwise, your copy will just sit there. Unread. Un-paid-for. Unprofessional.

All writers, especially bloggers, need to be paragons of the English language and all its subtleties.

How’s your spelling? How about that manuscript that just sits there, mocking you, rejected by publishing houses whose troopers slice your prose and dice your ad copy.

That’s where all these walls are coming from! Fear.

Writers are often much too insecure for their chosen craft. And much too dependent on the wiles of others to help them break out from oblivion.

True writers are those who tear down illusory barriers to the boundless flow of true creativity.

Josh.

George.

Tumblemoosers all!

Let’s all promise to rise up and kick the ass of this phantom, this overworked fallback position, this box that has held too many back from making it to the BIG TIME.

Josh, we need more like you! We need to raise up some World’s Strongest Writers instead of coddling 97-pound weakling writers whose first instinct may be to retreat or who wring their collective hands when things don’t go as they have so carefully outlined.

Writing success is not an entitlement. It takes hard work. Extreme self-discipline. Time management skill. And a boatload of brass cajones to lay bare on paper or the electronic page one’s inner soul to an often cynical world.

(I can see my kilted brother George making like a crazy man from the wings, something about bandwidth or whatever.)

It’s just that this wall thing is ….

Wayne C. Long
Writer/Editor/Digital Publisher
http://www.LongShortStories.com
Where the Short Story LIVES!