What's Causing Your Writer's Block? Take the Quiz!

Post by Arielle Haughee

What's Causing Your Writer's Block?
​Take the Quiz!

1) My favorite time to write is: 
    a) When I finally get the confidence
    b) When something gets my creative juices going
    c) When I can find the time
    d) When everything is plotted out

2) Before I sit down to write, I like to: 
    a) Drum up the courage to start
    b) Have an idea ready to go
    c) Figure out how much time I have
    d) Check my notes and plotting

3) I'm staring at a blinking cursor and thinking...
    a) I am a terrible writer
    b) My characters aren't talking to me
    c) I don't have time for this now
    d) The next event doesn't make sense

4) After writing, I feel like...
    a) What I wrote is crap
    b) This is amazing and I can't wait to share it
    c) I don't know what to do with it
    d) I'm not sure if it's any good

5) When I'm not writing but thinking about my story, my thoughts are centered               around: 
    a) How I wish I was a better writer
    b) Getting ideas of things to write about
    c) Figuring out when I can write
    d) Thinking through a challenge in my story

6) I avoid writing because I tell myself:
    a) I'm not very good at it
    b) I don't have any ideas at the moment
    c) I don't have any time
    d) There is something in my story I can't fix

7) I feel happiest about my work when:
    a) I'm confident and I've done well
    b) I've executed a really original idea
    c) I was able to fit writing into my busy schedule
    d) I solved a particularly challenging plot item

8) Revision is particularly challenging to me because: 
    a) I don't think I'm very good at it
    b) There is no revision muse
    c) I never seem to have the time to do it 
    d) There are way too many problems to fix

9) I don't pursue publication for some of my work because:
    a) It's not good enough
    b) I'm not interested 
    c) I don't have time
    d) There are issues with the story

10) My biggest fear about my work is: 
    a) Someone will actually read it
    b) I won't have ideas of things to write
    c) I won't have time to write
    d) What I write will be fraught with narrative problems

How to Score Your Results

If You Answered Mostly As - Your writer’s block is caused by insecurity and self-doubt. This is very common among writers. Print out some positive affirmations and place them in key spots in your home. Repeat them to yourself often as a reminder that you *can* write and you *are* capable.
 
If You Answered Mostly Bs - Your writer’s block is caused by a lack of inspiration. You are normally motivated by your muse. You need to teach yourself that you can write without the “muse” being present. Find inspiration by connecting with other arts such as music, painting, nature, sculpture, drama, and so on. 
 
If You Answered Mostly Cs - Your writer’s block is caused by a lack of routine. You need to *make* the time to write in your schedule. Get up early each weekday morning or write during your lunch break. Make writing a priority in your days and stop putting it to the side. 
 
If You Answered Mostly Ds - Your writer’s block is caused by a problem in your story. There is something going on in your narrative that you haven’t figured out yet, and that’s why every time your fingers go to the keys, they pause. There is a problem in your plot you need to figure out. Go for a walk, take a long shower, do some painting or knitting…something that allows your mind to wander. It will be just what you need. 

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Previously an elementary teacher, Arielle Haughee (Hoy) is a five-time RPLA-winning author and the owner of Orange Blossom Publishing. She is an editor, speaker, and coach. She is the author of The Complete Revision Workbook for Writers, the children’s books Grumbler, Joyride, Pling’s Party, and Sixth Sunday, the editor of the How I Met My Other anthology series, and the creator of the Focus Journal line of journals. She was also honored with the President’s Award from the Florida Writers Association in 2020.

She has a serious reading addiction, fantasy romance her absolute favorite, and loves nothing more than good conversation paired with a good wine. She is surrounded by males at home—a husband, two sons, and an energetic dog—and tries to integrate as much purple and flowers in the house as possible.