The writer’s block

‘The condition of being unable to think of what to write or how to proceed with writing.’ 

 Barkha Mathur

Staring at a blank screen waiting for thoughts is another form of writer's block

For someone who has been making a living out of writing, I suddenly find myself unable to structure words into meaningful sentences. It’s called a writer’s block and is described as ‘the condition of being unable to think of what to write or how to proceed with writing.’

With so much happening all around there is definitely no dearth of subjects to dwell upon. But then it makes me think, “everybody is writing about it what’s the point in adding to this ever piling word dump”. Actually it is the too muchness of writing on social media that put’s not just the writer but the reader off too. From WhatsApp to Meta, X and Instagram- there is an overload of thoughts, gyan and rants. What more can be added to it? I wonder. Then there is also this feeling which is more of an excuse that ‘who needs to know my opinion on anything’. It’s different when one writes for the print media. There is an assured readership. Often the subject of my writing would be around or about people who I knew would definitely read. In my career as a journalist I have very often been rewarded with that one phrase which is the sweetest to a writer’s ear-“I read your story and liked it very much”. That’s the kind of gratification a writer needs constantly to keep going.

Social media writings thrive on views, comments and likes mostly from random people not known to the writer. Now that is the kind of attention which would make for a fine attestation of a writer’s output. And what’s also true is that a lack of reach could become a bit of discouragement for anyone who is used to a captive audience in terms of subscribers to a daily or a periodical.

Writing skills get constantly honed provided one writes regularly to encourage the flow of thoughts and words. It also involves reading a lot to firm up one’s opinion. So this argument of “a lot is being written by all and sundry and there is so much to read”, runs into ground as there is now a lot of refrences to go through before framing one’s own thoughts.

Easy access to different digital platforms has spawned a large number of writers of which some are really good and others…well! Who am I to judge. All I can say is that so much of writing even if it is good, sometimes bores even the most voracious reader. Then there is also this issue of copycats. The existing algorithms will inundate a reader with the same kind of stuff, once the selection of a topic has been made. And then comes the revelation. It’s all sleight of thoughts or creative thievery. It sometimes extends to brazen passing off someone’s thoughts and words as your own. I have no idea what people who indulge in this feel. But an honest writer would be so appalled by it and just put her pen down in disgust.

These factors notwithstanding, the issue is how to overcome the writer’s block. There are innumerable suggestions for this malady including finding the inspiration. There is no dearth of this in the times we live. Bizarre happenings keep us hooked to media platforms. Good ones also sometimes spark one to punch the keys. In the end, however it is what pushes a writer to express. I will wait for that moment.