I find myself in this exact position. I can write emails, articles and blog posts, but where it comes to creative writing I haven’t written anything in months.
Just like any other writer I researched the problem and a possible solution. And guess what, when I Googled “How to beat writer’s block?” in received 646.000 results.
Most of that advice makes no sense at all. For instance:
Write every day … if I could write every day, I wouldn’t have writer’s block, would I?
Stick with the process … stick with what process? If I’m staring at a blank page or screen, am I supposed to keep on staring at it?
Be willing to write badly … now why would I want to do that?
Remember to enjoy yourself … I enjoy myself when I’m able to write, I definitely do not enjoy myself when I sit there, staring at a screen.
I was just about to give up when I came across a website, on how to deal with writer’s block that actually made sense. The pictures aren’t the greatest, but the advice is solid.
http://io9.com/5844988/the-10-types-of-writers-block-and-how-to-overcome-them
In particular #5 and #7 are dead on in my case.
Now I see writer’s block in the same light as a physical ailment. A patient can take painkillers, or muscle relaxers, but if he doesn’t actually go to a doctor and have the problem examined and identified, medicine alone is not enough.
Now that I’ve established my “illness” I wonder if I’ll find the cure.