Blocks' Anti-inspiration Inspiration

“If you want to write fiction, the best thing you can do is take two aspirins, lie down in a dark room, and wait for the feeling to pass.” 
― Lawrence Block, Writing the Novel: From Plot to Print


Lawrence Block is a funny guy and his advice is spot on. He writes this knowing how hard it is to write and how crazy it is to spend all your waking, unattached, specially created, free time sitting at a computer trying to fill a blank screen with words that tell a story that resonates with truth. Writing is challenging, mind-blowing, nerve-wracking, frustrating, wonderful, fulfilling, creative, magical work.


What he doesn't say - what is even more interesting to me - is what do you do if the feeling doesn't pass? 


I'll tell you.


You get up, turn on the light, and get back to work.


Because if you're a writer... you write. 
- Joe