I qualify to write this because I’ve wrestled with writer’s block all my life, long before my first book was published. Yet I have finished innumerable writing projects — reports, articles, blogs, non-fiction — and published them. My 50th novel is hovering in the wings.

Shapeshifter Block

When I hit a writer’s block, therefore, you’d expect me to say, “Uh oh, been here before, I know I can beat this.”

And sometimes I do.

But the trouble is the demon block changes shape from book to book. Hell, sometimes it changes from chapter to chapter.

Perfectionising

For me, the perfectionist aspect of block is one of the worst. And part of the problem is that a secret, shameful bit of me quite likes the idea of being a perfectionist. It sounds superior. Rigorous, even. It says I’m a Writer With Standards. Continue reading →