guterson’s writer’s block

David Guterson talks about getting writer’s block after September 11.

“I was totally absorbed in the real world, the politics, the history, the news, and I just couldn’t find my way into the fictional world. … When I finally could return to writing the novel, it was in fits and starts. It was a real struggle. I lost a whole year, and it was not a good year. … I assumed there were other people, other artists in a similar state. Besides, writer’s block is a well-known phenomenon. Other writers have had it. I finally figured this was my time.”

Guterson’s new novel, Our Lady of the Forest, comes out this week.