How Stephane Marchand Deals with Writer’s Block

Writer’s block has haunted many of the greatest writers in history. For Stéphane Marchand — journalist, novelist, philosopher, and artist — it is not an unfamiliar visitor. But unlike many who view writer’s block as a creative paralysis, Marchand approaches it as a natural, even necessary, phase in the intellectual journey. Drawing upon his wide-ranging experiences across disciplines, he has developed a deeply thoughtful approach to overcoming it — one that offers valuable lessons for any writer facing the silence of a blank page.

The Nature of the Block: Recognizing Its Roots

When faced with writer’s block, Marchand first seeks to understand its source. Is it perfectionism? Fear of judgment? Mental fatigue? Overwhelm? As a journalist who has spent years writing under tight deadlines for Le Figaro, and as an author crafting both complex thrillers and philosophical texts, he recognizes that blocks often emerge not from a lack of ideas, but from internal pressure.

Perfectionism, in particular, can be paralyzing. Marchand understands that striving for a perfect first draft is a self-defeating battle. Instead, he treats writing as a process of discovery — allowing himself to produce imperfect beginnings with the knowledge that clarity and refinement will come later.

In his own words, drawn from numerous interviews and public reflections:

“The first version is never the final one. The important thing is to begin. Truth, nuance, and precision often reveal themselves as the work unfolds.”

Turning to Philosophy: Ancient Skepticism as a Guide

Marchand’s academic work in ancient philosophy — particularly skepticism — shapes his attitude toward creative obstacles. The Pyrrhonian skeptics taught the value of epoché — the suspension of judgment — and this principle serves him well when he encounters a creative impasse.

Rather than condemning himself for struggling, Marchand suspends harsh judgment. He does not see writer’s block as failure, but as a neutral state:

“It is not that I cannot write, but that I have not yet found the form that the thought requires.”

By releasing the pressure to produce immediate results, he creates mental space for ideas to incubate. He allows uncertainty to exist without forcing premature conclusions. This, in turn, reduces anxiety and often leads to unexpected breakthroughs.

Changing the Medium: Letting the Mind Wander

When words do not come easily, Marchand shifts mediums. A trained painter and lyricist, he embraces the power of creative cross-pollination. He might put aside the manuscript and pick up a paintbrush, allowing visual expression to unlock ideas that words could not yet capture.

This multidisciplinary approach echoes the Renaissance tradition — engaging multiple forms of creativity to refresh the mind. For Marchand, artistic practice is not a diversion from writing but an extension of it.

“Sometimes the hand must draw what the mind cannot yet say. The subconscious often works more freely in images.”

The Walk as a Philosopher’s Ritual

Marchand often retreats into nature when facing creative stagnation. Now living in the quiet countryside of Touraine, he has embraced walking as both a physical and intellectual practice. Walking, he believes, mirrors the rhythm of thought itself — slow, exploratory, meandering.

As he strolls through the forest paths or along the Loire, his mind gradually relaxes. Without the pressure of the desk, ideas resurface organically. Many of his novel plotlines and philosophical insights have first emerged during these solitary walks.

In this, he echoes the practice of ancient thinkers like Aristotle’s peripatetics, who believed movement stimulated reflection.

“The mind opens when it is not commanded to produce. Walking invites thought without force.”

Reading Widely: Feeding the Creative Reservoir

Another strategy Marchand employs is reading — not always within his field, but widely and indiscriminately. Fiction, history, philosophy, journalism — each offers raw material for thought. His thrillers, such as Face Mort and Jusqu’en enfer, are built upon this eclectic knowledge base, blending technology, ethics, and political intrigue.

For him, reading serves both as inspiration and relief during blocked periods. Engaging with the work of others reminds him that all writers — even the masters — have struggled.

“Reading is a dialogue with others who have traveled similar paths. Their words can illuminate your own darkness.”

Writing to Someone: Imaginary Dialogues

At times, Marchand overcomes the initial resistance by shifting his audience. Instead of attempting to write for a vague readership, he writes as if addressing a specific person — sometimes a student, sometimes a fellow philosopher, sometimes even an imagined future reader.

By personalizing the act of writing, he sidesteps the paralysis that often comes from trying to please a wide, faceless audience. The words become a conversation rather than a performance.

Small Targets: The Power of Modest Goals

Even with decades of writing behind him, Marchand knows the value of modest daily goals. During periods of difficulty, he sets very small targets — sometimes as little as 200 words. Meeting this minimal commitment often creates momentum that carries him beyond it.

“A single paragraph written is already a victory over inertia.”

Accepting the Rhythm: Writer’s Block as Part of the Process

Perhaps most importantly, Marchand accepts that writer’s block is not something to be "cured" once and for all. Creativity ebbs and flows. Just as fields require fallow seasons to renew fertility, so too do writers.

He views periods of blockage as essential rest phases, allowing ideas to gestate beneath conscious awareness.

“The absence of words is not always emptiness. Sometimes it is quiet preparation.”

A Lesson for All Writers

In his approach to writer’s block, Stéphane Marchand teaches us to replace self-reproach with curiosity, pressure with patience, and frustration with trust in the creative process. His interdisciplinary life — blending journalism, fiction, philosophy, and art — demonstrates how engaging multiple domains can sustain creativity even when one path feels momentarily closed.

For Marchand, writer’s block is not the enemy. It is a companion on the journey, offering a quiet space where thought can deepen before finding its voice once more.