Blank Page Syndrome · 10:49pm Apr 11th, 2020
What is Blank Page Syndrome? It's avoiding starting to write. It can take many forms. Apathy. Avoiding the room where your writing device sits. Finding yourself sweeping the floor for the nth time or playing a game when you were definitely sure you were about to get started.
What causes Blank Page Syndrome? In a word: Fear. If you start that novel, begin the next chapter, or pen that speech you might produce crap. You'll then have to deal with your result, own it—but if you avoided writing at all...
There's the illusion that you're a novelist and you're just waiting for the inspiration... That's literally a divine idea inhaled from the gods. One that cannot fail.
Ain't going to happen. It's actually a delusion, and adhering to it even in a subconscious level leaves you less than you really are, unable to see reality.
The reality may be that you aren't and may never be a writer. Well, certainly if you can't get over that blank page sitting before you! More likely, you'll find something in between that and a Pulitzer. Beginner isn't a bad place, but if you do begin—writing that is—likely you'll find rough edges. Insert metaphor about diamonds starting out as rocks. You need something to make something. Not all of it will be gem quality. Be ready to throw out paragraphs, chapters, whole stories to find the thing you want to express.
How to overcome Blank Page Syndrome? Beginning writing sounds trite, but you can take a hint from your avoidance behaviors. Add to something already written, or, so long as you won't pass the work off as yours, add it to someone else's. Maybe pick a subject at random, not what you think you need to write and are emotionally unable to write, and write about that (what I'm doing now). Perhaps write gibberish until the blank page is not so blank. You could also just start writing with the expectation that it will be horrible crap and all of it will land in the trash.
These strategies work. They aren't foolproof. If you are a writer, or you just need to write, something is better than nothing.
Continuing on a more personal note: This essay was displacement activity for me. I have a speech to write.
Last month, my Mom died. It was not unexpected and she went peacefully, which was better than anybody expected considering how poorly she took care of herself. In the "current emergency"—what a great euphemism that is!—I'm hosting a teleconference memorial and I need to remember her life for family and friends. That brings me to the final strategy for Blank Page Syndrome. She died a month short of her birthday. Having the memorial on her birthday seems auspicious and makes the whole timing of the event seem particularly right.
I set a deadline.
I've now started writing.
So can you.
Set a deadline. Or do something.
But start writing.
sorry to hear about your mom, but, well, I guess that's the best a family could ask for. :C
5240596
Thank you.
This blog was exactly 500 words, including the title. Can't stop overthinking and overworking things, can I?
And I did start the speech just now.
Needless to say, completing The Runaway Bodyguard is on hiatus for another week. It stands at 75,500 words.