The Blank Page: Every Writer's Worst Nightmare
- jua kim
- Aug 18
- 5 min read
By Adlai Hecker
Art by Kylah Kao
Art by Kylah Kao
The first time I was introduced to the concept of the "Blank Page” was during an assembly in first grade, where a local author named Mac Barnett (author of Triangle, The Terrible Two, and other children’s books) had come to talk about his career as a writer. According to Mr. Barnett, he had a notebook on his desk that he scribbled on every night so that he wouldn't have to wake up to a blank page in the morning. However, every morning when he went to his desk, the notebook would be open to another blank page, which called to him in an eerie voice: “Mac… Mac… Write on me…Write on me…” Now, was this just an exaggerated story designed to keep the interest of a class of first graders? Probably. But the heart of the story contained a truth I’ve found to be common amongst writers: we are terrified of writing.
Writers contain stories and ideas that we long to share, but the process of sharing itself scares us. We’re afraid that people won’t like our ideas, that they’ve been said before, or are too strange to ever say, or that our writing abilities can’t do them justice. Sometimes we just get stuck and can’t write at all, thanks to writer’s block.
The Blank Page holds all of the fears and expectations we have for our work but don’t want to face — but we must eventually look that Blank Page dead in its thin, white, papery eye and say, “YOU DO NOT SCARE ME.” And because I’ve been writing since I learned the alphabet, I have a few tips that might help you conquer your Blank Page.
1. What’s the Problem?
First, you must recognize that the real problem has to do with all the mental roadblocks we unconsciously create: insecurities, daunting goals, and unrealistic expectations. The heart of the issue is ourselves.
We all have big dreams for ourselves and our work. We want to share ideas, build complex worlds, get published, win contests, et cetera. The problem only occurs when those dreams become so big they block the road to actually achieving them. About two years ago, I had a case of this paralyzing feeling of intimidation. I absolutely loved The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins to the point where I started comparing my own writing to the author’s. Fortunately, I didn’t stop writing, but instead, I tried to stop thinking about The Hunger Games. I even refused to watch the movies for a time, afraid that they would make me frustrated with my own writing again. Ironically, it was during this time that I produced what I now see as my best work to this date. I eventually learned how to protect myself from feeling inadequate while still being able to enjoy phenomenal works such as The Hunger Games. I had to realize that the problem was my mindset: comparing one of my first rough drafts to a published work written by an experienced author was ludicrous.
2. Finding Inspiration in the Seemingly Mundane
So often, the Blank Page manifests in writer’s block. Personally, my favorite tool for dealing with this issue is finding inspiration in everyday life. When we have writer’s block, we just want a genius idea or bolt of inspiration to strike down the mental dam preventing our words from flowing. However, I’ve found that waiting for that sudden bolt rarely works. As Picasso allegedly said, “Inspiration will come, but it has to find you working.” Your daily life is full of amazing ideas just waiting to be discovered. The best thing you can do while you’re waiting for your next stroke of inspiration is to ask yourself if it might actually be waiting right in front of you. Write down everything that stands out to you throughout the day: a snippet of conversation at the checkout lane in Walmart, an interesting scene out your front window, a funny story from your childhood. Often, the genius ideas you’re waiting for are already there. You just have to open your eyes to them.
3. Sparking Creativity with other Forms of Art
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you just can’t seem to find that wellspring of creative writing ideas anywhere. In that case, I often find it helpful to turn to other artistic outlets. Playing my violin or sketching fanart or making friendship bracelets can often help me to relax and get into a creative flow. Once that creativity starts flowing again, I can return to my writing project. Besides, there’s nothing more satisfying than picking up that Blank Page and slapping some paint on it!
4. Just Write
Sometimes the biggest hurdle writers face is just getting their thoughts on paper — we put off writing, tell ourselves we’ll edit later, drink another cup of coffee while messing with the font instead of actually getting our ideas into words, and decide we need to study instead. However, I think the best cure for 99% of what ails writers is to freewrite. Freewriting, or writing without worrying about making small mistakes, for just a few sentences a day can get you through the tough times of writer’s block, busy finals week, or a period of insecure comparison, like what I faced after reading The Hunger Games. In fact, one of the reasons I got past my hurdles is because I forced myself to write just one sentence every single day. Two and a half years later, I’ve been writing nearly every day, and it is now ingrained in my daily habits. Writing daily— whether that’s adding to a rough draft, editing an existing work, crafting a plot or character outline, creating poetry, or journaling — will ensure that you are consistently honing your skills and help you force your way through writer’s block. You must walk a mile one step at a time, just like how you write a masterpiece one word at a time.
In conclusion, the Blank Page represents everything we want to be but aren’t—every mental roadblock, insecurity and giant expectation writers experience. My hope is that you now have some strategies for facing it.
Now, go grab the Blank Page and stare it in the face. Don’t let its taunting and intimidating blankness scare you away from your craft. Make that Blank Page pay for its crimes and write on it.
About the Author
Adlai Hecker is a student from California (currently studying abroad in North Macedonia) who loves three things unconditionally: coffee, poetry, and rollercoasters. She has been writing fiction regularly for nearly five years and is currently attempting 1000 days of writing in a row. She was once selected as a Youth Poet Laureate semifinalist for her county and regularly listens to Chappell Roan while doing chores.
