Writer’s block, a mysterious condition that plagues countless individuals, stands as a formidable barrier to the creative process. It is a state of being in which the ability to write or generate ideas is impeded, often leaving writers perplexed and frustrated. The impact of writer’s block varies, influenced by the nature of one’s craft and the frequency of their writing endeavours.

However, the true essence of this phenomenon remains shrouded in ambiguity, often mistaken for laziness or succumbing to the pressures of writing. This lack of clarity also reflects insufficient discourse on the matter, at least within Nepal.

When asked about their experiences with such blocks in writing and ideation, many authors had varied ideas. Author and scholar Archana Thapa doesn’t like the term itself as she believes it is mostly used by people who don’t write much and just romaticise and glorify the idea of writing. Yet, Thapa does agree that delays in writing and ideation are not only common but also natural. “Writing is a very difficult task, you need a lot of knowledge to get good at it. It doesn’t happen overnight,” she says.

Writer and literary figure Kumari Lama agrees with Thapa on this. She believes an idea can stay in her mind for a very long time, even years, and her emotional investment in it may lead her to spend more time on the work. “Even if I do other work on the side, working on something I am invested in is a long process,” says Lama.

Yet, she also believes writer’s block to be a very real, tangible idea in itself, defining a state where she is very eager to write a piece, but cannot work on it due to various reasons. “If this is what writer’s block is, it is very common for me too.”

Prominent author Pragati Rai also agrees with Thapa and Lama in that writing requires extensive thinking time, and that can lead to a dry phase in her output. She attributes this specifically to her wish to write new things constantly. “Sometimes I feel my writing is repetitive, and at a loss for unique ideas, I don’t want to write anything for a while.”

Yet, it is also possible that writing blocks are more common in more creative pieces, and when one writes with more constricted deadlines—as in column writing—the pressure to churn out texts regularly can actually make it easier to write. Columnist Chandra Kishore Jha claims that writer’s block hasn’t been an issue for him as “I have to write regularly, and thus plan my writings on time.”

Reasons behind writer’s block

There can be many reasons for dry spells in writing. As Thapa and Lama previously claimed, being unclear about the content of writing or merely wanting to give more time and thought to it is one reason.

Rai admits that dissatisfaction with what one has written could also be a contributing factor. “If we cannot create some new discourse with each piece, we feel the need to stop writing altogether,” she claims.

Jha also attests to this idea. “A writer can feel blocked when they aren’t able to expand their writing horizon with a piece,” says Jha.

Many writers are also of the opinion that one writes well and can smoothly present their ideas in the form of words when they are in a familiar and comfortable environment. Oftentimes, this might be one’s own home or someplace quiet and cosy. But Lama states that is not always the case. “I was once in Palpa. It was serene and peaceful, yet I could not write as well there. I couldn’t get used to the silence after working amidst Kathmandu’s hustle and bustle,” she recalls. Due to the routine-like nature of writing, any change in setting can disturb the thought process.

Even while at home, changes in social settings around writers impact mindsets and writing habits. An example would be during Covid-19, when many external factors would impede the writing process. “During the Covid lockdown, I could not write. Not because I was struggling with my creative energy but because of the news. Everything was so grim, I did not feel like writing,” says Thapa.

Lama further concurs with this, suggesting that despite more free time, many writers could not motivate themselves because of how bad things were for everyone.

Finally, it is also important to consider the economic restrictions to regular, free writing, especially in the context of Nepal. Thapa believes that writing alone, especially creative writing is not financially sustainable in Nepal, and thus dedicating a lot of time to it is inefficient. “Writers have to juggle many jobs, so they can take care of family and write.”

Many aren’t aware of the issue

A major issue with writer’s block, and writing fatigue in general, is how misunderstood it is and the lack of conversation around it. “What we call writer’s block would be better worded as extra time to prepare,” suggests Thapa. She reveals that writing fatigue can be used as an excuse at times and, as mentioned earlier, a glorified fiction of sorts. In either case, there is confusion about the term itself, which stems from a definite lack of awareness and discussion, at least in Nepal.

Lama notes that even writers don’t discuss this issue among themselves. This lack of discourse results in compounding issues for the writers, as often, the working environment is worsened rather than improved.

Thapa agrees with this and says that being asked when her next book will come out creates an extra layer of pressure on her (and fellow writers) which sometimes leads to writing fatigue.

Tackling the burnout

So, the problem is very clear here. What are the solutions though, and what can aspiring writers take away from such a discourse? The answers are as varied as the causes.

Thapa believes the key to overcoming a writing block is to read more and develop regular writing habits. “You should be clear in what you want to write, figure out a style that works for the stories you want to tell and just keep on writing,” she suggests.

It is also important to allow yourself the room to breathe and shake off high expectations. “We should not expect good results from the start, but rather enjoy the process,” says Rai.

Lama also attests to this. Additionally, she believes sharing and receiving feedback is very important in this process. She also advocates travelling and exploring new places to write locations well. But Lama takes these tips as mere means to understand the key to writing—something she believes both explains and combats writer’s block.

“Writer’s moods are very personal”, says Lama, adding, “Treating writing as a personal act could be the ultimate solution to writing fatigue.”