Writer's Block

Posted by Beryl Stromsta on August 7, 2007 1:25 PM PDT

Recommend this? YES NO

Okay - so I just have to admit it. I've got writer's block. I'm actually a pretty decent writer, but for some reason writing on this website seems quite intimidating. There's the fear of saying something stupid or making a mistake, fear of being judged, evaluated, etc. Okay, Okay, I admit it, I'm a perfectionist. I have struggled with perfectionism all of my life and have, in the past, avoided things I did not know how to do. I even quit playing the piano for 20 years because I didn't like the anxiety of playing in front of others because I couldn't do it perfect! But wait a minute! I got over my perfectionism with the piano and have successfully overcome my performance anxiety there, and now I love playing for others! How did I do that -- you might ask? Here's part of my secret: intention--pure intention. More to come later on that topic, and now I have a topic to come back to!

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5 Comments

There's a great book called, "Writer's Block." It's actually in the shape of a small block. It has more pictures/images than words and it's full of fantastic ideas to help you get un-blocked. Check it out and tell me your thoughts. Also, I'd stop owning the fact that I'm blocked and replace it with the claim that all my great stories are simply "stewing..." Cheers!

Posted by Amanda on August 7, 2007 2:03 PM PDT

Dear Beryl,

Yesterday, I said to a client who is having major performance anxiety about coaching in front of others in her certification training, "Transparency is the Kryptonite of perfectionism."

I laughed out loud and wrote it down. Now it is yours to do with what you want.

Best,
Kelly

Posted by Kelly Carlin-McCall on August 24, 2007 4:43 PM PDT

Hi Beryl,

Maybe you can think of your own imperfect writing as a gift of vulnerability that you give to others. Who needs perfection anyway? It's sterile and dull. I'd much rather be treated to your unformed thoughts and rough edges.

Besides, if you play out your fear of saying something foolish on this website, it doesn't hold much water since you can edit your words, right?

So who are you fooling? We welcome a glimpse of your inner world!

All the best,
Libby

Posted by Libby Gill on September 2, 2007 8:32 PM PDT

Just chiming in as PeopleJam team member here. We do not have the editing functionality on the site right now. Since people's comments reflect the post, they will most likely not have an edit function once others have commented.