Block Quote by Orson Scott Card
“Writer’s block is my unconscious mind telling me that something I’ve just written is either unbelievable or unimportant to me, and I solve it by going back and reinventing some part of what I’ve already written so that when I write it again, it is believable and interesting to me. Then I can go on. Writer’s block is never solved by forcing oneself to “write through it,” because you haven’t solved the problem that caused your unconscious mind to rebel against the story, so it still won’t work – for you or for the reader.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Writer’s Block Discussion, Orson Scott Card, 2009
When a story feels unbelievable or irrelevant, the subconscious signals a need to revise, making the narrative authentic and engaging before proceeding.
In simple terms: Unconscious signals need revision for believable writing.
Key Takeaway
Revise to align story with personal truth.
Themes
creativity
self‑awareness
writing process
Mood
frustrated
hopeful
reflective
Type
advice
inspirational
When to use this quote
- novel drafting
- screenwriting
- blog posts
- academic papers
- personal journals
Key Concepts
psychology
narrative authenticity
Questions to Reflect On
- What part of your story feels false?
- How can you make it personally meaningful?
A Different Perspective
Forcing writing without addressing underlying doubts often deepens the block.
