What is Writers Block and How Can it Affect Your Writing?

What is writers block and how does it affect your writing? What is this strange blockage that you get when you least expect it that stops all of your fiction writing progress?

Writer's block as defined by Answers.com is "a usually temporary psychological inability to begin or continue work on a piece of writing." Psychological? Does this mean you are crazy? Of course it doesn't! Everyone experiences psychological issues in one form or another. That doesn't necessarily mean their is anything wrong with you mentally at all. It could actually be more physical.

Writer's block can actually be caused by a lot more things than you think of such as stress, apprehension, exhaustion, or even physical illness. Do you think a pressed-for-time deadline could cause a little bit of all of those? You had better believe it!

So, how does this cause writer's block? Well, whenever your body or mind experiences any form of stress, your brain tends to concentrate more on that stress because it feels that your health is more important than anything else at that moment. Thus, your mind shuts down and forces you to rest!

There are so many things that can cause writer's block. You need to be aware of each and everyone of them so you can plan ahead and avoid some of the triggers that can cause a total mind shut down when you need your mind the most.

What is writers block and what are some preventive ways to avoid or cure Writer's block?