While I do believe that Writer’s Block is in your head, I have to say that it’s also in your habits. One of the worst habits for getting writing done is addiction to social media, computer games, etc. – addiction to technology is the true writer’s block.

Is Technology Addiction Your Writer’s Block?

It’s 2018, and technology is an integral part of our lives. We use computers at work (at the very least), smart phones to keep in touch, and both to entertain ourselves and stay up-to-date. Most writers have even adapted to writing with computers.

So how much is too much? Is all technology a problem? How do you know if technology is your writer’s block?

 1. You say you didn’t have time to write, but you had time to check Facebook.

And Twitter. And Instagram. That’s a pretty good sign.

Granted, it depends on how much time you spent on them and whether it was consecutive or not. If you checked briefly on breaks at work, then, that’s probably not your writing problem.

If you get sucked in, and, suddenly, 5 minutes has become an hour, then, it’s not really true that you didn’t have time to write.

2. Do you play games?

Computer games, gaming consoles, game apps, Facebook games, and more – there are so many options now!

And it’s not work: it’s play. Or even mindless stress relief (Yay!).

If you’re good at setting a time limit and stopping when that limit hits, this may not be your problem. If, however, you’re the type to say, “One more game,” (Multiple times…), the game  is definitely eating into your writing time.

3. Is your browsing uninspiring?

If you like to browse Facebook and Instagram and have friends who post a lot of personal stories and art, you could definitely get inspiration from your technology. For example, say that it’s your people-watching time, and you use it for your writing. That’s great!

When you’re mostly seeing fake stories, the same 3 shared posts, and/or all those sponsored articles that drag you in because you want to know how the first story ends… that’s not gonna be inspiring to most writers.

In fact, some of that can really turn off the part of your brain that plans and creates. Yikes…

4. Do you get hooked on tv shows?

Yes, televisions are technological. Plus, it’s ridiculously easy to watch entire series online in one go. And that binge? That’s definitely taking away hours of writing time.

If not days…

Honestly, I have about 5-10 tv series that people have recommended to me in the past few years, and I’ve never had time to watch them precisely because I know I would do this. I simply do not have time to binge shows and write at the moment.

5. Do people text you constantly?

Text, message, email, IM (for old-school folks) – the platform doesn’t really matter. What matters is that you’re getting contacted so much that it interrupts your writing flow or just completely takes over your planned writing hour.

Don’t get me wrong. It’s great to have friends, an S.O., and/or groups that have interesting conversations. But, come on. Those dings are really hard to ignore, and, sadly, some people expect immediate responses.

Honestly, that’s unreasonable.

If your friend or S.O. really cares about you and wants you to be successful in your writing (A.K.A. something that’s important to you), then, there’s no reason to be upset if you don’t answer them unless it’s a true emergency (and by “true emergency,” I mean a death in the family level emergency).

Talk it over, set up some ground rules, and then, hit that Do Not Disturb button. Give yourself the time and piece of mind you need to do your work.

Did I miss any? Is technology addiction your writer’s block? Which habit is your downfall?

-Em