If you can simply "work on another scene", you are not really blocked. Most of what people call writer's block is just a form of procrastination, and because of this, many people declaim that there is no such thing.

Genuine writer's block does indeed exist and may be linked to clinical depression. Saying it isn't real does not make it go away. Your not having it doesn't make it any less real for those who do.

The one rule they all have? Sit your ass down and don't get up until you've written something. Preferably your quota. Can't remember the author, but it's more about perspiration than inspiration. And it's comforting to know that even Pulitzer winners have anxiety about what they're writing.

@Wolf Lahti: That's a good point. Actual writer's block does exist and can be linked to depression. I remember reading an interview with, I believe, Paul Simon in one of my favorite books, "Songwriters on Songwriting." About how there was a period of time where he simply could not write a song. And it was totally devastating to him. So absolutely should not diminish the reality of that.

But if you are temporarily stymied by a story problem, which is what I think Ondaatje's point was about, what should we call that if not 'writer's block'? Should be a better name for that specific situation in a writer's life.

Sounds like a good question to ask the GITS community so we can separate that from the more long-term issue of 'writer's block.'

@jjg: Your note about Pulitzer Prize winning authors feeling anxiety about their writing reminds me of that observation Lily Tomlin made.

Ever notice how when you walk into a post office and you stand there at the back of a really, really long line, when someone comes in and gets in line behind you, you suddenly feel better?

That's what I get from the other-writers-have-anxiety-about-their-writing thing: It doesn't actually help me any about the story I'm writing, but it does make me feel better to know I'm not at the very end of this line.

How about chronic writer's block vs. temporary, the way many physical ailments can be broken down into chronic or acute.