Page-by-Page Notes: Writing Anxiety and Writer's Block

Focus: Writing anxiety and writer's block are situational, not fixed traits.
They arise in common stressful writing situations (vary among individuals): adjusting to new forms, unfamiliar audiences, past criticisms, time pressure or unstructured time, assignments that seem disconnected from goals, personal troubles outside school.
Strategies for handling feelings: seek support.

Choose a writing buddy or writing group: regular check-ins, share drafts, talk about ideas and process; use feedback handout when asking for feedback.
Isolation harms; forming a writing group provides readers, deadlines, support, constructive criticism.
Identify strengths: list things you do well; start from at least one strength; reframe "I can't write" to "I am a writer who can …".
Recognize writing as a complex process: flow is possible but not guaranteed; obstacles occur, especially during transitions; think of yourself as an apprentice.

If block is new, analyze the situation: what has changed in your writing life (new format, longer papers, new audiences, new subjects, different stages).
Treat new writing as an apprenticeship: learn as much as possible, gain skills, decide which will serve later.
How to learn about new writing: ask questions of experienced writers (purpose, audience, key elements, start, assess quality, learning path); ask the assignment giver; look for examples; read handouts; listen critically to readers.
When interpreting reader comments: consider what reader wants, what you satisfy, what remains unsatisfied; if unclear, talk to the reader or someone else to interpret comments.
Start with reasonable expectations; not everything at once; use reader feedback to decide what to do; engage with criticisms that align with your purposes.

When criticisms seem extreme, seek middle ground; figure out which criticisms align with your purposes and engage with them.
Identify where you get stuck in the writing process; writing is cyclical and variable; stages may repeat; common sticking points: moving from research to draft, or revising after feedback, or over-revising and not releasing draft.
Strategies: talk with buddy and colleagues about the stage; read handouts on brainstorming and revising; think of yourself as apprentice and try different strategies.
Creative but practical tactics: cut the paper into pieces, tape to wall, color-highlight, draw, read aloud, etc.—emphasizing there is no limit to strategies.
Give yourself permission to fail; trying and failing helps find what works.

Celebrate successes: store positive writing experiences; maintain a log of successes and breakthroughs; define success for you.
Get support: rely on family, friends, mentors; campus resources; UNC Writing Center; approach instructor; academic advisor; residence hall advisor; Counseling and Wellness Services.
Conclusion: writing anxiety is common; relieve pressure by talking with others; realize we’re all learning; take occasional risks; seek positive experiences to counter negative ones.
If you still face negative experiences after strategies: pick one suggestion to work on; discuss with a peer; do some writing/revising quickly; failures are inevitable and part of growth.

Works consulted: Hjortshoj 2001 Understanding Writing Blocks; Rose 1985 When a Writer Can’t Write.
License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0.
Reproduction note: You may reproduce for non-commercial use if you reproduce the entire handout and attribute the source (The Writing Center, UNC Chapel Hill).

Reproduction notice: The handout may be reproduced for non-commercial use if the entire handout is used and the source is attributed (The Writing Center, UNC Chapel Hill).