To announce to the world that writer’s block isn’t a real problem, and that it’s all just in your head, is like announcing general anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder aren’t real problems.

These all share a common bond …

They all come about due to extreme mental conditions thrown about one way or another — in other words, they really do exist, even though it’s all in our head.

Why is writer’s block any different?

Writer’s Block is Real!

Look, chances are you’ve read a few articles and posts claiming “Writers Block is a Myth!” or “Writer’s Block Doesn’t Exist,” but how do you feel personally?

Consider the following when reading a post about the fallacy of writer’s block.

Evidence of Writer’s Block at the Bookstore

Check out your local book shop for a plethora of books on how to overcome or avoid writer’s block. Aside from getting published or sustaining as a professional writer one day, writer’s block is probably the one concern on ever writer’s brain.

(Quick tip: If you’ve read the entire reference section at Barnes and Noble, it’s safe to say you’re reading too much and not writing enough. Funnel that passion for the craft into your own work.)

Evidence of Writer’s Block in Fiction

You’ll also find writer’s block making an appearance throughout the pages of fiction. A couple examples include George Orwell’s Keep the Aspidistra Flying, in which Gordon Comstock struggles to complete a poem, and Stephen King’s novella, Secret Window, Secret Garden.

Social Proof of Writer’s Block

The web has become a great place in the last few years — it’s become the community voice in a way, so it’s a good place to look if you’re having your doubts. Search the term “writer’s block” in Twitter and you’ll see that thousands of writers struggle with it every day.

Look to your friends and family — how often are they frustrated with writer’s block?

“I Have Writer’s Block”

While I think the web is a fantastic place for information and help, it’s crucial that you still form your own opinion. So while you might read how writer’s block doesn’t exist or that it’s all just a way for writer’s to slack off, look to yourself and your own experience before agreeing with them.

I was at a Q&A with Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio, the screenwriters of “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End,” on opening night when someone in the crowd asked, “How do you deal with writer’s block?” I thought, great, I’m about to discover how a couple of the real pros in the industry avoid writer’s block. One of the writers answered, “Writer’s block is for amateurs.”

I was a bit disappointed — I couldn’t tell if it was because of the answer or because of my own case of the old block. It wasn’t long though before I realized there was a big difference in writing on speculation of sale or publication and writing on assignment (writing something you’ve been contracted to write). The writers were right — writer’s block is for amateurs, because it’s often the amateur that writes on spec.

If anything, I’d say enjoy writer’s block — as a novel writer, it’s the only time it won’t lead to detrimental consequences … such as being fired.

Embrace your own experience and form your point of view based on what you know.

The Seriousness of Writer’s Block

Just as with any case of severe mental conditions, whether it’s a phobia or even depression, writer’s block can affect a lot more than merely the writer’s work — or lack thereof. Writer’s block can evolve into depression, frustration, even force the writer to move on from the craft all together.

To dismiss writer’s block as an excuse to be lazy simply isn’t fair — each writer works differently, therefore every case must be different.

Sure, some writers might be quick to jump on the writer’s block train, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.

What Do You Think About Writer’s Block?

Again, it’s important that you form your own opinion, so despite what you read — even here — you need to know whether or not you think writer’s block exists.

How do you feel about all the content out there claiming writer’s block doesn’t exist?

How Do You Overcome Writer’s Block?

We need to address it together if we want to overcome it — as a community. One way to start doing that is to share how you overcome writer’s block.

Post your own advice for other writers looking for answers or help below.