Is Writer’s Block Real?

 

As an author, I often hear people talk about “writer’s block” as if it’s an inevitable rite of passage. But here’s my truth: I’ve never really experienced it. That doesn’t mean I always sit down and the words flow perfectly, but I don’t hit that wall people describe where nothing comes out. So it got me thinking is writer’s block even real?

For me, writing is less about waiting for inspiration and more about showing up. I’ve learned that momentum comes from the act of putting words on the page, even if they’re not perfect. Sometimes, I’ll write a paragraph or a scene that later gets deleted, but the process itself keeps me moving. In that sense, the so-called “block” feels more like hesitation, fear, or self-doubt.

Some authors say writer’s block comes from pressure the expectation to create something brilliant every time. Others suggest it’s tied to perfectionism, exhaustion, or even unresolved parts of the story that need time to surface. Those sound very real to me, but I don’t see them as a real block. They’re challenges, and challenges can be worked through with time and effort.

When I was writing When The Road Narrows, there were certainly days when the weight of the subject matter. It was often hard to write about growing up in a strict environment, grappling with identity, the backdrop of political conservatism of the era and the AIDS crisis. But pausing wasn’t blocking. It was reflecting. And once I gave myself permission to write without judgment, the story kept unfolding.

So, is writer’s block real? Maybe for some people. For me, it feels more like a myth that can become self-fulfilling if you believe in it too strongly. Instead of naming the silence “block,” I choose to see it as a cue: step back, breathe, live a little, and then return to the page. Writing isn’t about waiting for the perfect words. It’s about trusting that they will come if you keep moving forward.