writer's block

American  

noun

1. a usually temporary condition in which a writer finds it impossible to proceed with the writing of a novel, play, or other work.

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Etymology

Origin of writer's block

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

I am writing quite a bit lately and I find this book to be very inspirational in both the development stage as well as the writer’s-block stage.

From New York Times • Dec. 14, 2017

He wanders around his fancy apartment—there’s an Emmy, a set of mallard-head bookends, a huge portrait of Queen Elizabeth—in a writer’s-block funk.

From The New Yorker • Jun. 9, 2014

But Dano’s character, Calvin Weir-Fields, is both a writer’s-block cliché and a total drip, and Kazan’s honorable intentions are not nearly enough to overcome the painful struggle of actually sitting and watching her movie.

From Salon • Jul. 25, 2012

The definitive writer's-block movie -- and a great film too.

From Time Magazine Archive