--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you want to write, here's a secret…" description: "\"“If you want to write, here's a secret: the writer's struggle is overrated, a con game, a cognitive distortion, a self-fulfilling prophecy, the best ex..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de8/roy-peter-clark-22013_excuses_if-you-want-to-write-here-s-a-secret-the_839306.png" --- # If you want to write, here's a secret: the writer's… ![“If you want to write, here's a secret: the writer's struggle is overrated, a con game, a cognitive distortion, a self-fulfilling prophecy, the best excuse for not writing. "Why should I get writer's block?" asked the mischievous Roger Simon. "My father never got truck driver's block.” quote by Roy Peter Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de8/roy-peter-clark-22013_excuses_if-you-want-to-write-here-s-a-secret-the_839306.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de8/roy-peter-clark-22013_excuses_if-you-want-to-write-here-s-a-secret-the_839306.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de8/roy-peter-clark-22013_excuses_if-you-want-to-write-here-s-a-secret-the_839306.png) > ““If you want to write, here's a secret: the writer's struggle is overrated, a con game, a cognitive distortion, a self-fulfilling prophecy, the best excuse for not writing. "Why should I get writer's block?" asked the mischievous Roger Simon. "My father never got truck driver's block.”” [Roy Peter Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-peter-clark/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Writer's block is often a mental trap; recognizing it as a distortion reduces its power. **In simple terms:** Writer's block is a self‑fulfilling myth. Key Takeaway Identify and challenge the myth. Themes creativity self‑talk mental barriers Mood reflective encouraging Type inspirational practical When to use this quote - writing sessions - brainstorming - project planning - learning new skills Key Concepts cognitive distortion self‑fulfilling prophecy Questions to Reflect On - What thoughts signal you’re stuck? - How can you reframe those thoughts? A Different Perspective Denial of difficulty can stall progress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Excuses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excuses/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writer 's block](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer-s-block/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [As for my slowness as a writer - that's been a struggle, no question. We live in a culture that values and rewards machine-speed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/junot-diaz/as-for-my-slowness-as-a-writer-that-s-been-a-struggle-no-question-we/) [Junot Diaz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/junot-diaz/) > [If surgeons don't get surgeon's block, then why are you allowed to get writer's block?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cory-doctorow/if-surgeons-don-t-get-surgeon-s-block-then-why-are-you-allowed-to-get/) [Cory Doctorow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cory-doctorow/) > [Writer's block to me is where you stop because you're afraid to go forward because you're not sure of what really should be happening…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer-hickam/writer-s-block-to-me-is-where-you-stop-because-you-re-afraid-to-go/) [Homer Hickam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer-hickam/) > [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 Roy Peter Clark > [Having the urge to write is one thing; acting on it is another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-peter-clark/having-the-urge-to-write-is-one-thing-acting-on-it-is-another/) [Roy Peter Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-peter-clark/) > [“If the writer wants to create suspense, or build tension, or make the reader wait and wonder, or join a journey of discovery, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-peter-clark/if-the-writer-wants-to-create-suspense-or-build-tension-or-make-the/) [Roy Peter Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-peter-clark/) > [“Punctuation comes from the Latin root punctus, or “point.” Those funny dots, lines, and squiggles help writers point the way. To help readers, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-peter-clark/punctuation-comes-from-the-latin-root-punctus-or-point-those-funny/) [Roy Peter Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-peter-clark/) > [Everyone should read, we say, but we act as if only those with special talent should write.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-peter-clark/everyone-should-read-we-say-but-we-act-as-if-only-those-with-special/) [Roy Peter Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-peter-clark/) > [“The ability to read, society tells us, contributes to success in education, employment, and citizenship. Reading is a democratic craft. Writing, in contrast, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-peter-clark/the-ability-to-read-society-tells-us-contributes-to-success-in/) [Roy Peter Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-peter-clark/) > [“To understand the difference between a good adverb and a bad adverb, consider these two sentences: “She smiled happily” and “She smiled sadly.” Which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-peter-clark/to-understand-the-difference-between-a-good-adverb-and-a-bad-adverb/) [Roy Peter Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-peter-clark/) > [“Good readers may struggle with a difficult text, but struggle is not the goal of reading. The goal is fluency. Meaning flows to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-peter-clark/good-readers-may-struggle-with-a-difficult-text-but-struggle-is-not/) [Roy Peter Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-peter-clark/) > [“As you listen to political speech, notice those occasions when politicians and other leaders use the passive voice to avoid responsibility for problems and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-peter-clark/as-you-listen-to-political-speech-notice-those-occasions-when/) [Roy Peter Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-peter-clark/) > [I may have grown up in the Age of Aquarius, but I'm growing old in the Age of the Acronym.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-peter-clark/i-may-have-grown-up-in-the-age-of-aquarius-but-i-m-growing-old-in-the/) [Roy Peter Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-peter-clark/) > [“But doesn't add something to what has come before; but takes something away. At its most daring, it can feel like a Bat Turn,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-peter-clark/but-doesn-t-add-something-to-what-has-come-before-but-takes-something/) [Roy Peter Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-peter-clark/) > [Writing is not magic. It’s a craft, a process, a set of steps. As with any process, things sometimes break down. Even in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-peter-clark/writing-is-not-magic-it-s-a-craft-a-process-a-set-of-steps-as-with/) [Roy Peter Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-peter-clark/) > [“Poorly written reports, memos, announcements, and messages cost us time and money. They are blood clots in the body politic. The flow of information…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-peter-clark/poorly-written-reports-memos-announcements-and-messages-cost-us-time/) [Roy Peter Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-peter-clark/) > [Riffing on language will create wonderful effects you never intended. Which leads me to this writing advice: 'Always take credit for good stuff you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-peter-clark/riffing-on-language-will-create-wonderful-effects-you-never-intended/) [Roy Peter Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-peter-clark/) > [“I promise you a case of writing paralysis if you think about too many of these tools when you sit down to write. Let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-peter-clark/i-promise-you-a-case-of-writing-paralysis-if-you-think-about-too-many/) [Roy Peter Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-peter-clark/) > [Express your most powerful thought in the shortest sentence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-peter-clark/express-your-most-powerful-thought-in-the-shortest-sentence/) [Roy Peter Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-peter-clark/) [Explore all 28 Roy Peter Clark quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-peter-clark/) ## More Excuses quotes > [You will find that the more successful the individual, the less inclined he is to make excuses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-joseph-schwartz/you-will-find-that-the-more-successful-the-individual-the-less/) [David Joseph Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-joseph-schwartz/) > [I wasn't a bad kid. My dad left when I was young, so I didn't have much discipline, not that I'm making excuses. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-dyer/i-wasn-t-a-bad-kid-my-dad-left-when-i-was-young-so-i-didn-t-have-much/) [Danny Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-dyer/) > [Sometimes you don't need to hear their excuses or what they have to say for themselves because their actions already spoke the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brittany/sometimes-you-don-t-need-to-hear-their-excuses-or-what-they-have-to/) [Brittany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brittany/) > [Most people don't reach their goals because reaching their goals requires them to do things that they don't want to do. You might not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/most-people-don-t-reach-their-goals-because-reaching-their-goals/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [Existence of emotions also are nothing without excuses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/existence-of-emotions-also-are-nothing-without-excuses/) Mak\_786 > [The only thing stopping you from getting it done is your excuses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/the-only-thing-stopping-you-from-getting-it-done-is-your-excuses/) [SONYA PARKER](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [I'm not a sympathetic guy when I see people throwing their lives away and using their life's obstacles as excuses to fail. I just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dabo-swinney/i-m-not-a-sympathetic-guy-when-i-see-people-throwing-their-lives-away/) [Dabo Swinney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dabo-swinney/) > [It is impossible to need excuses when the focus of your life shifts from 'What's in it for me?' to 'How can I serve?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/it-is-impossible-to-need-excuses-when-the-focus-of-your-life-shifts/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [Excuses cost a dime and that's why the poor could afford a lot of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kiyosaki/excuses-cost-a-dime-and-that-s-why-the-poor-could-afford-a-lot-of-it/) [Robert Kiyosaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kiyosaki/) > [Excuses are the nails used to build a house of failure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/excuses-are-the-nails-used-to-build-a-house-of-failure/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) > [I will never attempt to even begin to make excuses for what I did in football.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-storey/i-will-never-attempt-to-even-begin-to-make-excuses-for-what-i-did-in/) [Peter Storey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-storey/) > [“If they want to be in your life, they'll find a way to be in your life. Otherwise they'll find excuses.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-hale/if-they-want-to-be-in-your-life-they-ll-find-a-way-to-be-in-your-life/) [Mandy Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-hale/) > [“Your explanation is good, but your herring doesn't fry, as we say in Ramaldah," he exploded.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-ashling/your-explanation-is-good-but-your-herring-doesn-t-fry-as-we-say-in/) [Andrew Ashling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-ashling/) > [“To recklessly excuse a failure is to believe that I’ve effectively erased it from the story of my life, when I’ve actually imprinted it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/to-recklessly-excuse-a-failure-is-to-believe-that-i-ve-effectively/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) > [“I’ve got to stop this. Stop worrying about the why. Stop forcing what was happening into the realm of impossible. Stop hiding behind excuses.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deatri-king-bey/i-ve-got-to-stop-this-stop-worrying-about-the-why-stop-forcing-what/) [Deatri King-Bey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deatri-king-bey/) [Browse all 1,069 Excuses quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excuses/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“If you want to write, here's a secret: the writer's struggle is overrated, a con game, a cognitive distortion, a self-fulfilling prophecy, the best excuse for not writing. \"Why should I get writer's block?\" asked the mischievous Roger Simon. \"My father never got truck driver's block.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Roy Peter Clark" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-peter-clark/if-you-want-to-write-here-s-a-secret-the-writer-s-struggle-is/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Excuses" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-peter-clark/if-you-want-to-write-here-s-a-secret-the-writer-s-struggle-is/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de8/roy-peter-clark-22013_excuses_if-you-want-to-write-here-s-a-secret-the_839306.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de8/roy-peter-clark-22013_excuses_if-you-want-to-write-here-s-a-secret-the_839306.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de8/roy-peter-clark-22013_excuses_if-you-want-to-write-here-s-a-secret-the_839306.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If you want to write, here's a secret: the writer's struggle is overrated, a con game, a cognitive…” — Roy Peter Clark", "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": "Roy Peter Clark", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-peter-clark/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“If you want to write, here's...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-peter-clark/if-you-want-to-write-here-s-a-secret-the-writer-s-struggle-is/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-peter-clark/if-you-want-to-write-here-s-a-secret-the-writer-s-struggle-is/#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 } } ] } ```