Writer’s Block

In broad terms, writer’s block can be described as a deficit in the quantity of a person’s writing created by causes internal to the writer’s mind. This is to distinguish writer’s block per se from external factors that prevent writing, such as illness or lack of time. The role of overcoming or avoiding writer’s block in the academic life should be self-evident given the importance of publication to academic advancement. In fact, it is almost certain that a number of otherwise qualified scholars have self-selected out of the field because the emphasis on publication leads to an element of anxiety, which can lead to writer’s block. This entry describes the two primary sources of writer’s block before describing how to overcome it. Tips for avoiding ...