Are you getting your creative passion project done? Maybe you’ve reached the halfway point, and things are going well but you’re so focused on the task, that you’re letting other things slip in order to get it done? That creative drive that was once so strong is now starting to lag…Don’t wait until it’s too late – Get creatively unblocked now!
My own blockage
I am currently writing a new novel. I am about a third of the way through but I feel like I am coming to the end of my creative juices…not now…but soon.
The way I look at it – I have a big bowl of pudding in front of me and as I gradually take another spoonful, I see the end in sight – with barely a scraping left! I want more…I need more!
Should I keep going, plough on and hopefully more will just appear…?
Or do I act before the pudding is completely gone – do I refill it a little each day before I hit the dreaded wall..
Trying to deliver the pudding metaphor, but you know what I mean!
Basically the “pudding” is my inspiration and the “wall” is writer’s block.
I’m aware my inspiration is leaving me. Do I keep going to get this story written or hit the brakes and concentrate on feeding my creativity before it’s gone and I’m stuck?
Writing a book needs alot of stamina
To write a book takes time. Time and passion to remain focussed on the same story you had started some months prior. For me it usually takes about 8 months to write the bones of a book. But that’s continuous work, chipping away at it every week day, (and allowing my weekends for family time). It’s good, it works for me – I don’t do too much. I take small chunks regularly – unlike some authors who churn out books, I don’t put anymore pressure on myself. If I can dedicate an hour to writing I feel good about my progress, and really just the act of ‘showing up’ is the most important thing.
I plot out my story – which means I plan out the big things that will happen. Basically I have a general direction I hope things will go; the message, theme of the book and what the characters bring to the story. But there’s a lot I don’t know until I’m writing it, the dialogue in particular, which comes to me as I write the words directly on the page. And during these times the story can take a turn or the characters can morph and change – showing a different personality to how I originally planned.
These particular instances are fun to write. It’s like a puzzle clicking into place. But eventually this can become a bit taxing on my mind.
Yesterday I rejoiced in being a third of the way through the book, I had a celebratory cup of macha green tea, and a cheeky square of chocolate to mark the occasion. But as I looked at my notes of what I still wanted to happen in the story…I suddenly felt drained and the idea of finishing a book was daunting.
Fear creeps in immediatly – I can’t make the story work!
I fear that the ideas in my head are leaving before I have time to acknowledge them.
Stop the fear before it paralyses you
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late – Get Creatively Unblocked Now
Before I completely gave in to the fear, to stop abruptly at the part of the book I usually do… I realise that I have little in the way of creative inspiration around me. Sure, I am in a beautiful setting – surrounded by the scottish highland hills. But my days are rather dull, if I’m not keeping to the usual routine with my toddler…then I’m writing my novel or my blog. I’m getting little in the way of interactions…apart from the odd conversation with the post-woman or a family member! I can feel myself hitting that wall. Everything around me seems habitual and I am going through the motions rather than experiencing..well..the experiences!
I’m putting such emphasis on writing that I’m ignoring all the things around me that can help encourage my writing.
What nourishes your creative juices?
I know that I need to see things in the world. To get out and read, watch, talk, listen. It’s paramount for a writer to remain curious. If you shut yourself off, you’re doing yourself a disservice from thinking up stories and characters. Inspiration can lie in the small details.
So I shouldn’t overlook my interactions with the post-woman afterall…a brief conversation can ignite the smallest of sparks.
Instead of prioritizing writing over everything – I need to make room for ‘taking in’.
So each day I’m reading, watching something on Netflix and basically consuming a little more than usual. Not consuming information necessarily – ( not news or informative podcasts – I fear that would have the opposite effect on my creativity). More of the story telling, music and listening to people around me. Those instances can expose a little magic without warning. Like last night, my toddler reaching up to catch fireworks before they disappeared in the night sky. It’s tiny details that spark the imagination.
Hold onto them. Re-live them.
It’s your turn
This can be applied to your own creativity. Trust in your inner voice. It may take time to see, but after burnout and years of ‘working with’ my creativity I can start to see patterns of what I need. You might still need time for trial and error. But don’t be hard on yourself to produce. If you feel a little empty – refill that cup with what lights you up. Read, take photos, walk, stretch, have conversations with friends – whatever brings you out of that lull. Follow your intuition. Listen to your inner voice. Make time to nurture yourself.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Have you experienced the familiar feeling of creativity fatigue? How have you dealt with it?
If you enjoyed this, have a look at my previous posts such as – Don’t wait for your passion to grow – just pick something now!
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