Starting in the second grade when I learned how to print, I loved writing. To take the ideas from my head and put them on paper excited me. Whether it was keeping a diary or writing long newsy letters to Grandma, I loved it. But as I got older things changed. We’ve all had the naysayers in our lives. Teachers, family members, and an ex-spouse all dismissed my writing as a waste of my time.

So later, when it came to actually writing something for publication, my brain froze. I couldn’t think of anything interesting to write. I read every book I could find on writing and tried all the tricks they suggested to get something–anything–on paper. None of it worked.

It all came down to one thing. How could I bare my soul and put it out there for people to make fun of the same way family and friends had? I spent a couple of years in frozen inertia with a major case of Writer’s Block. Until … I developed multiple personalities.

It all started with an article I read in the newspaper. The article said a psychiatrist had done a study and found that writers have to get inside of and become their characters. Therefore, he said, writers must have split personalities.

That got me thinking about my Writer’s Block. Maybe all I needed was to become somebody else: somebody who could write. Actually, it’s been a lot of fun constructing these other writers. I’ve made a character profile for each listing name, age, gender, interests and hobbies.

I have B. Lee Workman who writes poetry. She’s young and sensitive. She cares deeply about the environment and the world around her. She’s had several nature poems published.

Then I have Fiona Woods who writes fiction. She is a little older than Lee and more imaginative. A snippet of overheard conversation sends her running for a pen. She’s had two short stories published.

Lastly I have Barbara L. Workman who writes nonfiction. She writes about her family and life experiences. She never takes life too seriously. She’s been published in national magazines like Woman’s World and in local newspapers like The Seattle Times.

All three of these writers have won awards for their writing; however, nobody knows all three are really me. If you’re looking for fame and name recognition, this isn’t the way to go. But, if you’re looking for the way out of Writer’s Block give it a try. It just might work for you too!

Barbara L. Workman and her two friends have over 200 published articles, short stories and poems to their credit. Their work has appeared in publications such as Woman’s World, Writer’s Digest, Fate Magazine and The Seattle Times newspaper.