Read These 3 Powerful Charles Bukowski Quotes to Eliminate Writer’s Block

Plus, a list of ideas for when you're lost for words.

Photo by Ryan Snaadt/Unsplash

German American poet, short story writer, and novelist Henry Charles Bukowski wrote simplistic prose that illustrated the profound.

Okay, he may have sworn profusely and enjoyed more than his share of adult beverages, but Bukowski wrote for the ordinary person and reflected an anti-establishment attitude that resonated with all sorts of readers, including me.

Although Bukowski published 15+ books, he faced a lot of rejection during his writing years. He even performed odd jobs, such as dishwashing, sorting mail, and pumping gas to keep his art alive.

Sure, his life was way different from mine — I won’t even go into his turbulent “romantic” relationships — but Bukowski’s work sticks with me, and his quotes inspire me to pick up the pen (or laptop) and plug forward.

Here are 3 Bukowski quotes that fight off writer’s block.

1. “If it doesn’t come roaring out of you in spite of everything, don’t do it."

*Note Bukowski doesn’t say quit when nothing roars out of you, he says, “Don’t do it.”

My take: the pause is temporary.

I read a lot of articles from writers who say write no matter what. Write every day. Write even when you don’t want to write…

If that works for you, great, but it doesn’t for me.

As a freelancer, I encounter times when I have to write but don’t want to. However, I value my breathing time and prefer writing when passion strikes.

If able, I’ll take a break and read something for inspiration before forcing any words. Then I’ll wait for it to roar out of me once again.

2. “There’s nothing to stop a man from writing unless that man stops himself. If a man truly desires to write, then he will.”

This blunt quote packs a powerful punch. I’ll even ignore the pronoun usage and substitute “woman” in my mind — since that’s what I am.

I’ve been writing since I could string together the word “cat”, but I’ve only been a “professional writer” for a few years. During this time, I’ve been praised, rejected, ridiculed, awarded — the list of antonyms goes on. But you know what separates me from so many other writers? I show up.

I’m relentless. Through the highs AND lows, I keep writing.

I knew this one “author” who loved to poke at my stuff and tell me EVERYTHING I did wrong and how she could do it all better. But you know what, she rarely wrote, never tried to get published, and wasted a lot of time telling others how they could improve instead of developing her own stuff.

I imagine this was because of the obvious:

A writer’s biggest challenge is fear.

You have to get over fear and keep writing. You must maintain the desire to fill the page, and this is no easy task!

This leads me to my last Charles Bukowski quote.

3. “Writing about writer’s block is better than not writing at all.”

I recently wrote about “how I’ve never had writer’s block” and had no idea this would become such a controversial piece.

But the truth is, I’ve never had writer’s block, and that’s because we live in a world of limitless information.

Pick up a book, look up a quote, and you’re on your way to writing something. Or at the very least, like Charles reminds us, write about not being able to write.

Many days my words are crap, yet I find it nearly impossible to run out of ideas to fill a page.

To prevent writer’s block, I have an ongoing list of unfinished drafts waiting for me to visit. Plus, I remind myself that first drafts are always crummy (at least mine are), but you can always edit later.

You have to start somewhere.

So, when you’re lost for words:

• Pick a childhood memory
• Write about overcoming an obstacle
• Interview someone
• Write about writing
• Write a character description of a family member
• Write about a quote

The list goes on. But write about something.

Try it, and the words might ROAR out of you more than you know.

The bottom line

Bukowski’s straight to the point lines, catchy rhythms, and poetry for every man/woman, can inspire your writing. Give him a read to fight writer’s block and keep those creative juices flowing.

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