Fran Lebowitz is at work on a novel that was commissioned more than 20 years ago, and publishers are still waiting for it. For one reason or another, a lot of people get stuck when it comes to completing their creative endeavors.
For many, writer’s block or creativity block is a very real dilemma. Books and articles are written about it that search for the answers and offer strategies. Theories range from fear of failure to fear of success, perfectionism to procrastination.
According to Writer’s Almanac, here’s what Fran Lebowitz has to say about her chronic writer’s block:
She said:
“I have a hard time writing. Most writers have a hard time writing. I have a harder time than most because I’m lazier than most. … I would have made a perfect heiress. I enjoy lounging. And reading. The other problem I have is fear of writing. The act of writing puts you in confrontation with yourself, which is why I think writers assiduously avoid writing.”
Fran Lebowitz also said:
“Not writing is more of a psychological problem than a writing problem. All the time I’m not writing I feel like a criminal. … It’s horrible to feel felonious every second of the day. Especially when it goes on for years. It’s much more relaxing actually to work.”
An interviewer asked why, if it’s so hard, she continues to write. Her answer was:
“The rewards of any warrior. The word that best describes my feeling of having written is triumphant; triumphant on the level of Alexander the Great. Having overcome your worst fear, the thing you are most vulnerable to, that is the definition of heroic. Also, it’s such a worthwhile human activity. The most.”
What about you? Do you have the occasional struggle with writer’s block? Or do you struggle with setting aside the time for your creative endeavors? Do you have any solutions you’d like to share? As always, I’d love to hear from you.
P.S. I’m an ex-shrink who writes award-winning novels. Check out my books here.
Yeah, I don’t know if you could call her problem writer’s block. Perhaps you should have defined writer’s block first? This sounds more like a case of “not wanting to write.” I mean, TWENTY YEARS for ONE BOOK? Even at the snail’s pace of 4000 words PER YEAR you’d have a book by now.
But I suppose I shouldn’t judge (nice to say that after the fact, eh?). I’d say that my only cases of what I’d call “writer’s block” have happened with research papers I had to write for school. I hated them, and it was a struggle to get the words onto the page. That being said, I did it, so was I “blocked”? Perhaps not.
This isn’t to say that I can or do write all the time. In fact, I’d say that I don’t write far more than I do write, but when I want to write, I write. Sometimes there are problems with my story that must be resolved, but I consider those to be story problems rather than writing problems. I suppose that begs another question: what is writing?
Hi Sonja,
I think I heard that Fran Lebowitz’s first book (20+ years ago) got really great reviews and maybe won some awards and people thought she was really brilliant. I think it must terrify her that she won’t be able to live up to that early success. Anyway, that’s my theory.
I started writing in my late 30s, and just feel like I really can’t afford writer’s block, at least timewise, so luckily it hasn’t really affected me. Knock on wood…. 🙂
I have to agree with Sonja. This sounds more like fear of writing than “writer’s block.”
I have lately been coming to the conclusion that what is typically vaguely called “writer’s block” doesn’t really exist. When I am ready to write the words just pour out so fast sometimes I can’t type fast enough and things actually get lost. When I get “stuck,” it’s almost always because I haven’t thought through or researched the current chunk of the story, and I don’t know what to do, so I spin my wheels. The solution is usually to take time off from writing and do more thinking/researching.
As I told you before, the story I just came up with is just exploding out of me. Not a moment of block yet. I started it Friday and am up to 9,000 words already. And I didn’t even get a chance to work on it yesterday or today, because of other commitments.
On the other hand, I’ve gotten stuck and not been able to write anything good for weeks.
Great comments, as always. Here’s how some facebook friends have weighed in:
Wow. Insightful. Struck a chord. I *can* write today. –Lara
Me: Go for it, Lara! 🙂
Susan, a worthwhile post as I’m crrrrrrranking up the writing motor!!! Hugs….Liz
Me: Liz, I can’t wait to read your story. The world is waiting!
Hi, Susan. I’ve never had writer’s block in my life. I don’t mean that my writing is always good; in fact, I’d be embarrassed to show at least half of it to anyone. My problem is always too many words. I’ve always thought of writer’s block as an excuse, but I could be wrong.
What really boggles my mind is that a publisher would wait for anyone for twenty years. In my opinion, that is a huge statement about the publishing industry and “names.” But maybe I’m just eating sour grapes, since I will eventually be looking for a publisher…ha!
Thanks for the interesting conversation.