I came across a post by an author on Facebook, whose name was Alexander Pennington.
He said and I quote,
"I'm not saying writers are crazy, but we will literally stare at a blank page for multiple hours and argue with the voices in our heads."
I couldn't help but laugh when I came across this post. I know it must be something that generally happens to a lot of writers whether they are professionals or non-professionals (like me).
If you look at my post section you will find that I don't have many articles. Even though I have been writing regularly the lack of published posts is because I was thinking of the perfect article to publish on this platform. What a nonsensical thought! Perfect? Is there anything perfect in writing?
I am sure many of us could relate to what Alexander Pellington was saying because it happens to me a lot. Staring at the blank page whether it is on the phone, computer or paper can be therapeutic and can be traumatising.
When you are in the mood to write or you know exactly what to write and you have the right words to hit the ground, then at that moment a blank page is the most beautiful thing on the planet. Only a blank page gives you the ability to carve out your world and let the whole world get to see the parallel universe that exists in your head
But, the blank page can also be traumatizing when you don't know what to write about, not only lack of topic makes a blank page look traumatising but also when you have many ideas in your head and you don't know which to write about. Another case is when you have a topic, prompt or idea, but you don't know how to start writing it out.
Whenever you are faced with such a scenario the wrongest thing you can do is to close the blank page or tell yourself you will write later. Don't do that, instead, type or write something out. Just keep on writing and before you know it you will find those words gushing out. Most times the hardest thing to ever do is to start something but the reality is if you don't start how will you know where it will go or end?
One of our biggest foes in life is our brain and mind, these two keep telling us how imperfect our works or ideas are. But these two can also be our biggest motivators as there is nothing as powerful as a resolute mind.
Yes, it is normal to stare at a blank page for hours, it is also normal to argue with the voices in our heads. But what is not normal is giving up.
Lead image Tomi-Ajax. The poetry above is mine and it was made into the pictorial format using the app "YourQuote"
