Blank Page Panic a.k.a. Writer's Block

Writer's Block, that horrible affliction for which there is no cure.

Writer's block is when a writer experiences a creative slowdown. It can be just a short bout of writing hum drums or extended writing woes.

 Doctors researched this psychological syndrome in the 1970s and 80s. It was documented as a real psychological condition during this time. The doctors determined that there are several causes for this condition. Sometimes, a writer runs out of creative inspiration. The writer may be distracted by other events. Sometimes a writer becomes ill or depressed. Sometimes there are personal reasons for a lack of creative output. The pressure to produce work can also contribute to writer's block. A writer may feel pressure because of a deadline or writing in a different style or genre. A writer might feel intimidated by his previous success.

Writer's block is more than a mentality. When the human brain is under stress, it will move control from the cerebral cortex to the Limbic system. The cerebral cortex plays a key role in memory, perception, thought, and language. The Limbic system controls emotion, behavior, and motivation. The limited output of the cerebral cortex inhibits creativity. Scientists say that literary function is the specific domain of the cerebral cortex.

If a student gets writer's block, what can the teacher do? First, assure the student that writer's block is perfectly normal. Teachers need to keep an ongoing dialogue throughout the writing process instead of waiting until the final piece if published. Encourage students to discuss these feelings with a writing partner or even with the entire class. Corrective feedback is very important at this stressful time. The student should continue to freewrite, journal, and brainstorm. Student should continue to engage with all types of texts--poems and quotations, especially. Remember, encouragement can go a long way during this time.

Some doctors recommend that writers focus on the cognitive processes of the different parts of the brain. Language output is believed to be a function of the left hemisphere of the brain. An interesting study of this concept is called left-brain interpreter. This is when the left brain works ot make sense of the world by reconciling new information with prior knowledge. The left brain rationalizes, reasons, and generalizes. These are importrant traits and abilities for a writer.

(This one is meant to be funny!)

Don't let blank page panic win. Some coping strategies include distracting yourself for a short period of time, but don't stop writing. Always write as procrastinating will only lead to more stress.