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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/38677
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Usually, **writer's block is a result of your inner editor overpowering your inner writer.** This is a very common problem that can especially affect experienced writers, critics, and others with a large amount of knowledge about good writing, because they can't help judging their work as they write it. (There is even a well-known book and movie called _Wonderboys_ about an author who is paralyzed by the pressure of trying to live up to his successful first novel.)

You'll probably do better if you **write freely and without judgment first, and then edit and judge only after you are all finished**. Of course this can be easier said than done, but there are many techniques to help. One I've found very effective is to write at a time of day when you are naturally sleepy. Another is to "prime" yourself with several pages of complete nonsense first. Some writers self-medicate (NOT recommended).

You may also want to let go of the goal state, and **just enjoy the process more**. I imagine when you wrote your previous books, you enjoyed the writing. Now, however, you are making it a job for yourself, and focusing entirely on the goal of publishing. I've had similar issues myself, and I've learned that being too goal-focused can be counterproductive. Earlier you were writing for yourself, and a publisher loved it. Now you are trying to write for a publisher, and it is throttling your voice. Your next book may or may not be a success --or even publishable --and either way is OK.

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