I often hear writers complaining about this mythical thing called "writer's block" that somehow keeps them from writing. They call it crippling and treat it like a disease that keeps them from putting words down on paper. However, I believe that writers have been duped.

Writer's block isn't a disease. It's an excuse.

Professional writers must write, and they must write every single day. This does not mean that the writing needs to be good. It does not mean that the writing needs to make it into the final draft. It does mean, however, that some kind of writing must happen.

How do you write when it seems like you have nothing to say today? You could say that you are suffering from writer's block, grab a cup of tea, and watch TV. Or, you could grab your notebook or laptop and get outside and do some people watching. Observe. Outline. Write a scene from the first person if you've written the entire book so far in third person. Get words down on the page.

If it's a bad day, maybe none of it carries into the next draft. But sometimes, you will find that just writing uncovered something you hadn't expected.

Do not use "writer's block" as an excuse. When you have taken it off the table as a possibility, you will find that great writing is able to take place without it.