---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Don't be discouraged by writer's block…"
description: "\"Don't be discouraged by writer's block. Writer's block just means you need to listen to other music.\" — Ben Harper"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/26a/ben-harper-3257_block_don-t-be-discouraged-by-writer-s-block-w_1897669.png"
---

#  Don't be discouraged by writer's block. Writer's block…

![“Don't be discouraged by writer's block. Writer's block just means you need to listen to other music.” quote by Ben Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/26a/ben-harper-3257_block_don-t-be-discouraged-by-writer-s-block-w_1897669.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/26a/ben-harper-3257_block_don-t-be-discouraged-by-writer-s-block-w_1897669.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/26a/ben-harper-3257_block_don-t-be-discouraged-by-writer-s-block-w_1897669.png)

> “Don't be discouraged by writer's block. Writer's block just means you need to listen to other music.”

[Ben Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-harper/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Creative blocks signal a need for new stimuli; music can rekindle inspiration

**In simple terms:** Writer's block means you need fresh input like music

Key Takeaway

Listen to diverse music to overcome block

Themes

creativity inspiration artistic process

Mood

encouraging practical

Type

advice motivational

When to use this quote

- writing sessions
- creative workshops
- personal downtime

Key Concepts

neuroplasticity cross‑modal stimulation habit change

Questions to Reflect On

- What other activities spark your ideas?
- How to integrate music without distraction?

A Different Perspective

Music may not suit everyone’s creative style

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Writer 's block](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer-s-block/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/)

## Related quotes

> [I don't believe in writer's block. Most of writer's block is having too much time on your hands. My mantra is that you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/i-don-t-believe-in-writer-s-block-most-of-writer-s-block-is-having/)

[Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/)

> [“I don't get writers block. I get writer has too many ideas and doesn't know which one to start next, block.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyler-hojberg/i-don-t-get-writers-block-i-get-writer-has-too-many-ideas-and-doesn-t/)

[Tyler Hojberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyler-hojberg/)

> [Sometimes I do get writer's block but it's more of a writer's doubt - I'll try and write but nothing goes anywhere because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-pecknold/sometimes-i-do-get-writer-s-block-but-it-s-more-of-a-writer-s-doubt-i/)

[Robin Pecknold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-pecknold/)

> [I've experienced writer's block, but never for more than a few days.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-jon-williams/i-ve-experienced-writer-s-block-but-never-for-more-than-a-few-days/)

[Walter Jon Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-jon-williams/)

> [With two books a year, I don't have time for writer's block.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-rollins/with-two-books-a-year-i-don-t-have-time-for-writer-s-block/)

[James Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-rollins/)

> [If I've got Writer's Block it generally means that I don't have that much to say or something's not quite connecting. I have had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellie-goulding/if-i-ve-got-writer-s-block-it-generally-means-that-i-don-t-have-that/)

[Ellie Goulding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellie-goulding/)

> [My prescription for writer's block is to face the fact that there is no such thing… Writing well is difficult, but one can always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-mallon/my-prescription-for-writer-s-block-is-to-face-the-fact-that-there-is/)

[Thomas Mallon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-mallon/)

> [Writer's block.. when one curses the blinking cursor on the blank page.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-brett/writer-s-block-when-one-curses-the-blinking-cursor-on-the-blank-page/)

[Regina Brett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-brett/)

> [Cure for writer's block: blow something up(in the story)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-westerfeld/cure-for-writer-s-block-blow-something-up-in-the-story/)

[Scott Westerfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-westerfeld/)

> [I don't think that writer's block exists really. I think that when you're trying to do something prematurely, it just won't come. Certain subjects…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-carol-oates/i-don-t-think-that-writer-s-block-exists-really-i-think-that-when-you/)

[Joyce Carol Oates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-carol-oates/)

> [I don't believe in writer's block, writing well is very easy; it's writing horribly, the horrible work necessary to do to get to writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-young/i-don-t-believe-in-writer-s-block-writing-well-is-very-easy-it-s/)

[Dean Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-young/)

> [I've never really suffered complete and utter writer's block, really. I equate it with sex: in the beginning of my career, I was writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loudon-wainwright-iii/i-ve-never-really-suffered-complete-and-utter-writer-s-block-really-i/)

[Loudon Wainwright III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/loudon-wainwright-iii/)

> [Maybe one of the reasons that I don't ever experience myself as having writer's block is I don't feel that I need to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-barton/maybe-one-of-the-reasons-that-i-don-t-ever-experience-myself-as/)

[Emily Barton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-barton/)

> [I think writer's block is simply the dread that you are going to write something horrible. But as a writer, I believe that if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-blount-jr/i-think-writer-s-block-is-simply-the-dread-that-you-are-going-to/)

[Roy Blount, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-blount-jr/)

> [Writer's block? I've never heard of a plumber complain about plumber's block.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-parker/writer-s-block-i-ve-never-heard-of-a-plumber-complain-about-plumber-s/)

[Robert B. Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-parker/)

## More by Ben Harper

> [Wish there was something that I could say or do, I can resist anything but the temptation from you. But I'd rather walk alone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-harper/wish-there-was-something-that-i-could-say-or-do-i-can-resist-anything/)

[Ben Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-harper/)

> [The advice I have for new artists is this - write great songs and play them live as often as possible. Get residencies all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-harper/the-advice-i-have-for-new-artists-is-this-write-great-songs-and-play/)

[Ben Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-harper/)

> [The very thing that drives you, can drive you insane Got a head full of thought crimes and a number with no name Got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-harper/the-very-thing-that-drives-you-can-drive-you-insane-got-a-head-full/)

[Ben Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-harper/)

> [Sometimes I think to talk too much about music almost cheapens it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-harper/sometimes-i-think-to-talk-too-much-about-music-almost-cheapens-it/)

[Ben Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-harper/)

> [It was a huge deal, a huge musical discovery that became life lessons learned. You can't return from having an experience like that. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-harper/it-was-a-huge-deal-a-huge-musical-discovery-that-became-life-lessons/)

[Ben Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-harper/)

> [I don't kid myself in thinking that I'm on the front lines. I know the people who are on the front lines. I mean…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-harper/i-don-t-kid-myself-in-thinking-that-i-m-on-the-front-lines-i-know-the/)

[Ben Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-harper/)

> [If interviews are just interviews or if music is just music, why are we even doing it? You only get so many hours in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-harper/if-interviews-are-just-interviews-or-if-music-is-just-music-why-are/)

[Ben Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-harper/)

> [You can't just say I love you, you have to LIVE I love you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-harper/you-can-t-just-say-i-love-you-you-have-to-live-i-love-you/)

[Ben Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-harper/)

> [When it comes to writers and poets, for me it's Vinicius de Moraes. He's one of the greatest lyricists ever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-harper/when-it-comes-to-writers-and-poets-for-me-it-s-vinicius-de-moraes-he/)

[Ben Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-harper/)

> [My choice is what I choose to do and if I'm causing no harm it shouldn't bother you. Your choice is who you choose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-harper/my-choice-is-what-i-choose-to-do-and-if-i-m-causing-no-harm-it/)

[Ben Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-harper/)

> [When you have everything, you have everything to lose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-harper/when-you-have-everything-you-have-everything-to-lose/)

[Ben Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-harper/)

> [To go through this life and see it through - what it really is - and not be insane or addicted, is a minor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-harper/to-go-through-this-life-and-see-it-through-what-it-really-is-and-not/)

[Ben Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-harper/)

> [I've never made a record that didn't sound better than what was in my head - that's sort of my rule.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-harper/i-ve-never-made-a-record-that-didn-t-sound-better-than-what-was-in-my/)

[Ben Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-harper/)

> [I grew up listening to spiritual music, Blind Willie Johnson and folk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-harper/i-grew-up-listening-to-spiritual-music-blind-willie-johnson-and-folk/)

[Ben Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-harper/)

> [Every moral has a story, every story has and end. Every battle has its glory, and its consequence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-harper/every-moral-has-a-story-every-story-has-and-end-every-battle-has-its/)

[Ben Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-harper/)

[Explore all 135 Ben Harper quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-harper/)

## More Block quotes

> [I am told many children block out the memory of trauma. In fact, the healing process can only truly begin when we are willing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phoebe-stone/i-am-told-many-children-block-out-the-memory-of-trauma-in-fact-the/)

[Phoebe Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-stone/)

> [Thinking about the things that happened, I don't know any other ball player would could have done what he (Jackie Robinson) did. To be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pee-wee-reese/thinking-about-the-things-that-happened-i-don-t-know-any-other-ball/)

[Pee Wee Reese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pee-wee-reese/)

> [If you do a black character or a female character or an Asian character, then they aren't just that character. They represent that race…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwayne-mcduffie/if-you-do-a-black-character-or-a-female-character-or-an-asian/)

[Dwayne McDuffie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwayne-mcduffie/)

> [Stevie Wonder always smells so good... I'm like a DEA dog, I can smell people a block away!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-estefan/stevie-wonder-always-smells-so-good-i-m-like-a-dea-dog-i-can-smell/)

[Gloria Estefan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-estefan/)

> [When it comes to people I love and care about, I may condense the time, but I'm giving them every ounce of my energy.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-shetty/when-it-comes-to-people-i-love-and-care-about-i-may-condense-the-time/)

[Jay Shetty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-shetty/)

> [I mean family is more important than anything in life. Family is important than my crew, D-Block, my rap career anything... It's the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/styles-p/i-mean-family-is-more-important-than-anything-in-life-family-is/)

[Styles P](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/styles-p/)

> [Can you understand why the Congress, most states and most cities refuse to pass legislation requiring the registration and licensing of any and all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/can-you-understand-why-the-congress-most-states-and-most-cities/)

[Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/)

> [One of those blocks (that prevent the 'Middle East from entering the mainstream of modernity') is the orthodox tenet that the Koran and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-beichman/one-of-those-blocks-that-prevent-the-middle-east-from-entering-the/)

[Arnold Beichman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-beichman/)

> [The family is the building block for whatever solidarity there is in society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-ruckelshaus/the-family-is-the-building-block-for-whatever-solidarity-there-is-in/)

[William Ruckelshaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-ruckelshaus/)

> [New York is so serious about the creation of work. Everything is happening so fast, it feels like there's another studio, another session on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diplo/new-york-is-so-serious-about-the-creation-of-work-everything-is/)

[Diplo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diplo/)

> [Tentatively I stood a great lump of wood on the chopping block and bought the axe down on it. It flew into two perfect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-garner/tentatively-i-stood-a-great-lump-of-wood-on-the-chopping-block-and/)

[Helen Garner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-garner/)

> [Americans will put up with anything provided it doesn't block traffic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-rather/americans-will-put-up-with-anything-provided-it-doesn-t-block-traffic/)

[Dan Rather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-rather/)

> [There's an interesting book about that called The Third Reich and the Ivory Tower, written by Stephen H. Norwood. It has a long discussion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/there-s-an-interesting-book-about-that-called-the-third-reich-and-the/)

[Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/)

> [I think you can train yourself to block out some of that pressure and replace it with confidence. It's about preparation, and the more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rodgers/i-think-you-can-train-yourself-to-block-out-some-of-that-pressure-and/)

[Aaron Rodgers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rodgers/)

> [Writer's block? I've never heard of a plumber complain about plumber's block.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-parker/writer-s-block-i-ve-never-heard-of-a-plumber-complain-about-plumber-s/)

[Robert B. Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-parker/)

Browse all 1,755 Block quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Don't be discouraged by writer's block. Writer's block just means you need to listen to other music.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Ben Harper"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-harper/don-t-be-discouraged-by-writer-s-block-writer-s-block-just-means-you/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Block"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-harper/don-t-be-discouraged-by-writer-s-block-writer-s-block-just-means-you/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/26a/ben-harper-3257_block_don-t-be-discouraged-by-writer-s-block-w_1897669.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/26a/ben-harper-3257_block_don-t-be-discouraged-by-writer-s-block-w_1897669.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/26a/ben-harper-3257_block_don-t-be-discouraged-by-writer-s-block-w_1897669.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Don't be discouraged by writer's block. Writer's block just means you need to listen to other music.” — Ben Harper",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Ben Harper",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-harper/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Don't be discouraged by writer's block....",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-harper/don-t-be-discouraged-by-writer-s-block-writer-s-block-just-means-you/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-harper/don-t-be-discouraged-by-writer-s-block-writer-s-block-just-means-you/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
