Conquering Writer’s Block: Steinbeck, Heinlein, and My Battle with Procrastination

Writer’s block has been a hot topic on my writing-related social media feeds lately, and most, if not all, writers experience it in some form. For some, it’s debilitating, pushing them to abandon writing as a career or even a hobby. On the other end of the spectrum are those who experience only a brief pause, searching for the right word or phrase. I find myself closer to this milder end. My true writing demons are procrastination and its close ally, avoidance.

I’ve been writing for publication since high school. Occasionally, I struggle with choosing a word or starting a scene, but I can usually overcome these hurdles with a short hike, a ski trip, or by letting the work rest overnight and revisiting it the next day.

Sharing ideas and stories through writing is one of my greatest joys, yet many days I avoid it at all costs. I’ll clean, organize photos, dust obscure corners, or shop for things I don’t need. But when I finally grant myself the freedom to write, I feel immense relief. I do my best work when I build momentum by writing every day. These blog posts have been both a challenge and a valuable learning tool, helping me develop new habits. A weekly obligation, with a small but growing readership, that has strengthened my discipline.

But what about other writers? In my quest to understand the writing process, I’ve put myself in uncomfortable situations, such as working as a reporter or helping write a merit badge. I’ve also sought advice from those more successful than me. One breakthrough came from Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig. In it, Phaedrus helps a struggling student describe a street by starting with the top corner brick of a store. My cousin, Niki, introduced me to Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott, which describes writing (and life) as a step-by-step process. Each small piece builds into paragraphs, chapters, and, eventually, a book.

Later, I read Journal of a Novel: The East of Eden Letters by John Steinbeck, which offered a glimpse into how a book comes together. I delved deeper into Steinbeck’s advice and found six tips in a 1962 letter to actor and writer Robert Wallsten. Below is an abbreviated version from Steinbeck: A Life in Letters:

John Steinbeck’s 6 Writing Tips

1. Abandon the idea that you are ever going to finish.
2. Write freely and as rapidly as possible, throwing everything onto the page.
3. Forget your generalized audience.
4. If a scene or section stumps you but you still want it, skip it and move on.
5. Beware of a scene that becomes too precious to you, dearer than the rest.
6. If you’re writing dialogue, say it aloud as you write.

Steinbeck concludes, “I know that no two people have the same methods. However, these mostly work for me.”

These tips helped me clarify my thoughts while writing, but the most transformative idea came from treating writing a novel like a job. I stumbled upon this concept in Of Worlds Beyond: The Science of Science Fiction Writing, a collection of essays by mid-century science fiction authors. In it, one of my favorite authors, Robert A. Heinlein, shares his five rules for writing:

1. You must write.
2. You must finish what you start.
3. You must refrain from rewriting (except to editorial demand).
4. You must put it on the market.
5. You must keep it on the market until sold.

I’m working on the last two, and with your support, I hope to achieve that final step. The idea of professionalizing writing has solidified in my mind and continues to shape my actions. I now treat writing as a weekday job—sometimes focusing on the business side, sometimes on marketing, and sometimes on the writing itself.

As always, I strive to get out of my own way and improve daily. I hope this resonates with you on your creative journey. Do you have stories of overcoming obstacles in your own creative process? I’d love to hear them.