Throughout the course of writing this chapter, we have been struck with writer's block, mild anxiety as the deadline approached and passed, and sporadic depression about it remaining unwritten. However, we are still among the lucky. Academic writers have a structure to follow and basic rules that prevent the writing process from becoming too overwhelming. The fear of a blank page can be overcome by the creation of the title page, insertion of the author's contact information, and the importation of references. Academics regularly collaborate, use past research to guide present efforts, and seek input and feedback from colleagues.

Conversely, creative writers are often unable to partake of these benefits. Their reputation as artists may depend primarily on their imagination. In academic writing, gathering sources and reflecting other people's ideas constitute research; in poetry, these actions can be called plagiarism. When creative writers experience a roadblock, they do not have the luxury of the scientific manuals and databases with which to buffer their ideas. Most ideas and inspirations need to arise internally. Indeed, see Chapter 14 for more information about writer's block.

Historiometric and experimental data indicate several points of interest regarding creative writers and, specifically, poets. When compared to other creative professions, writers have a higher mortality rate (Cassandro, 1998; Kaufman, 2003; Kaun, 1991; Ludwig, 1995; Simonton, 1975). Both poets and fiction writers have higher suicide rates in comparison to other writers (Preti & Miotto, 1999).