The Five Best Ways to Beat Reader’s Block
Reader’s block is psychological. I know it is, and here’s a recent example.
Last week, I had a B&M Booksellers gift card and an empty schedule, and I wandered through the book store mindlessly. Two weeks earlier when I had no gift card and no time, everything caught my interest. The pressure that comes with extra spare time can cause reader’s block if you’re not prepared.
The good news is that I’ve had reader’s block before. A few years ago, I wrote a post about how to defeat reader’s block, so I went to my own blog and read it (I hope that doesn’t sound self-congratulatory). Some of the book references in my old post are dated, but the strategies still work. I used tips # 1 and 5, and now I’m set with books for the next few weeks.
Unfortunately, I have to get back to my regular busy schedule soon. These books that I now want to read might last a long time.
When I was a kid, this was the only way I could read Moby Dick without getting reader’s block. Who am I kidding? It’s still the only way. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Reader’s block doesn’t get the respect that writer’s block does. People (especially writers and artists) can sympathize with writer’s block because a writer is creating something, and creating something can be difficult. Reader’s block gets less sympathy because all a reader needs to do to read is read. Complaining about reader’s block is like being the kid with all the toys in his room griping about being bored.
Reader’s block can be frustrating and deserves to be taken (just a little) seriously. Yes, reading is more passive than writing, but it still takes mental activity. Reading requires concentration and a willingness to get through difficult exposition/narration (hopefully with a payoff).
“Block” can happen with even the most passive of…
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Dysfunctional Literacy 