S.O.S - Writer’s Block!

There are three weeks of classes left – which means four papers, two exams, two more issues of The Uniter, and one more blog post to go. Basically, I have more pages of writing to do than I have days to write.

And to top it all off, I have writer’s block. Severe writer’s block (as you can undoubtedly tell by this blog post).

Every time I sit down to my computer (or even walk by it) I feel an incredible wave of nausea take hold of me. I am actually suppressing a gag as I am typing right now. 

I must say that I have never experienced it this bad before. But this year, I have been kind of like a writing machine, whipping out articles left and right, ploughing through term papers, scrawling out class assignments and typing up endless e-mails.

Now, in the end-of-the-school-year chaos, everything is starting to blur together. I sat down to write a conclusion for an essay on feminist film theory today but instead, I ended up writing the second half of this blog post. It wasn’t until I came back to my computer an hour later than I realized the end of my paper didn’t quite flow. I don’t think my prof would have been too satisfied with a critical essay that ends with a whiny snippet about writer’s block.

So if anyone has got any writer’s block remedies they’d like to share, please do.

Unfortunately the only advice for combating writer’s block I can offer is to steer clear of these so-called remedies that don’t work – actually, they only make things worse.

1. The sugar high

Contrary to popular belief, buzzing out on sugar will not actually help you write. Five handfuls of jellybeans chased down with a two litre bottle of Coke will only make your hands shaky, thus making it even more difficult to type. Although it won’t help you get that writing done, it will give you ample energy to clean your house.

2. Caffeine

Sitting down to the computer with a steamy cup of joe does little to help you find the words you are looking for. It does however, provide you with a sudden desire to perfect your milk steaming skills, shop for overly-priced espresso makers online and make a business plan for the coolest coffee shop that you will probably never open.

3. A brisk walk

While some may argue that a nice bout of fresh air and physical activity can help to stimulate the brain, this hasn’t been my experience. I would argue that leaving the house with writer’s block is very dangerous. Last time I tried this so-called remedy, I walked for three hours and actually got lost – that is how bad I didn’t want to go home and write my paper.

Anyway, I hope that was coherent. I’m off to write another paper. And take a Gravol.