Last night at my Author’s Connections meeting, a local author spoke about writing and the importance of plot, character development and dialogue. During the Q and A, someone asked him if he ever suffered from writer’s block and if so, what did he do to overcome it. To my disbelief, this writer of six mysteries based in Sarasota and Miami did not believe in writer’s block, quoting Philip Pullman, “Do plumbers get plumber’s block? What would you think of a plumber who used that as an excuse not to do any work that day?”
Until last night, I thought that writer’s block, the inability to produce new work, was a condition that afflicted many writers. Among the more famous authors who admitted to suffering from this creative blockage are F. Scott Fitzgerald, Leo Tolstoy, Virginia Woolf, Ernest Hemingway, Joseph Conrad, and Katherine Mansfield.
Like these famous authors, have you ever run out of inspiration? Has the pressure to produce caused you an anxiety-induced creativity shutdown? Do you struggle for days to find that mot juste, fearing that unless you are the “perfect” writer your work will be rejected? If so, maybe you are just stressed, too exacting, or fearing rejection—not suffering from writer’s block.
This was a relief to me. Until last night, I thought writer’s block was something that happened to writers and out of their control. If I accept Philip Pullmans idea that writer’s block is just an excuse not to produce, the responsibility to produce becomes mine and something that I can control. If I am stuck writing a particular piece, perhaps I have not figured out what exactly I am writing about; or perhaps I am stuck because I have not found my passion or am not being true to my voice. Voicing my opinions stimulates my passion and my creativity.
Having a deadline can be a cure for writer’s block. Having to pound the keys to meet a word count by a certain time can be stressful; I prefer to think of it as a challenge. Perhaps the outcome will not be my best writing, but I can always edit it. The important thing is to produce the best I can within the time limits.
One of the meeting attendees mentioned that she had seven books in her closet that were yet unpublished. She was continuously massaging the works, striving for perfection and getting really bored and tired with the process. I couldn’t help but wonder at what point, if ever, she would feel comfortable to publish her books. Writers who want to publish need the courage to say “It’s done.”
Many writers and teachers say to just write, to keep the flow going and get the first draft down. This just does not seem to work for me; I am a slow and deliberate writer. I don’t ever seem to get into the “zone” and write for hours or days, barely coming up for breath. Instead, I plod along. Writing the words, for me, is thinking on paper. Each thought leading to a conclusion that I may not have conceived of at the onset. Accepting the way I write and not forcing a style of writing with which I am uncomfortable makes it easier for me to have the thoughts flow.
When I am at an impasse, I take time off. I leave the writing desk and do something mindless or physical, letting the subconsciousness mind work. I also find that talking about the impasse helps. As I talk, my mind makes connections and I see new directions. Sometimes the other person suggests solutions. Seeking help does not always have to be another person; sometimes reading books in the genre can help. My husband was having trouble adding humor to his book. Reading humorist writers helped him see ways to include levity in his book.
Last night, the author said he enjoyed creating dialogue. Consequently, reviews say that the dialogue in his books are believable and the fast paced. I think enjoying the writing is important to creativity. Once writing becomes work, the lack of interest diminishes the creative flow.
If writer’s block is a fallacy, how do writers remain creative? See my suggestions below.
10 ways to stimulate creativity
- Accept that as a writer, you are responsible for your writing.
- Don’t make excuses for not writing; there is no muse granting or withholding creativity.
- Be honest to your voice and passion.
- Create a deadline or minimum daily word count.
- Don’t strive for perfection; even the best writers have to say “good enough” as some point.
- When at an impasse, take time off.
- If all else fails, seek help. To gain clarity, talk about the problem, or seek out a content editor, one good with the problem you are facing.
- Write in a style or genre that is comfortable; don’t try to be someone you’re not.
- Have fun.
- Most important, continue writing.
Most writers at one time or another suffer from lack of creativity. What do you do to stimulate yours? Please comment.
