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Writer's Block - The Writer's Foe or Friend?
Do you have writer's block? Even professional writers have writer's block from time to time so there's nothing to be ashamed of. The key is to start writing even when you are unsure of the direction of the story.
Causes of Writer's Block
 Some writers have a romantic notion that part of writing a book is suffering through the writing process. Not so. Though there are times that writing is difficult, overall there should be a sense of enjoyment.
You're afraid to make mistakes. Understand that your first draft will never be perfect. And frankly, if it is perfect, then you probably aren't stretching yourself as a writer. The great thing about putting sentences together that don't mesh well is that you can easily delete them. Whatever you write isn't set in stone and no one will read it unless you put it out there for others to see. So there's no need to let embarrassment get in the way of creating a less than stellar first draft.
You don't want to write. In fact, you don't want to be a writer. You just like to tell others that you're working on a book because it makes you sound smart.
Tips for Overcoming Writer's Block
Think of writer's block as a friend because if you're stuck, that may mean you should take the scene in a different direction. Sometimes writer's block is a sign that the story isn't folding the way it should be and you innately feel it.
Write a lot. When you hit a roadblock, write some more. Never give into writer's block by going days or months without writing. Overcoming writer's block means you have to actually write!
Take a step back from your story and select a
creative writing exercise to get your mind running with great ideas.
Perhaps the story or a specific scene your working on is being told by the wrong character. For example, maybe the scene your writing is from the main character's point of view when it should be a secondary character's.
You don't have to know the story inside and out. Sometimes parts of the story become clearer when you move ahead in the story. So when you're stuck, work on another chapter or scene in the book. There's no rule that says you have to write the book in a linear way. This is your project, you set the rules.
Give feedback to other writers. Sometimes our writing mistakes are amplified in the writings of others. So you may not notice that your story is going in the wrong direction because of XYZ, but when you come across another writer who has the same issue, you'll recognize it in your own writing.
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