Writer’s Block
As creatives, we've all experienced it - the blank canvas, the empty screen, the silence that feels like it's swallowing us whole. The big project, the looming deadline, the “relaxing” personal piece. We search for inspiration, grasping at anything that might ignite a spark within us and…
Nothing…
Just absolutely nothing...
And the longer nothing happens, the harder it gets…
What at first started as looking for a simple spark of inspiration or a starting point turns into a desperate anxiety-inducing attempt to produce anything at all. Just something. A line. A word.
And sometimes, our past successes only amplify our current struggles as we desperately try to maintain the standard we've set for ourselves. Because I’ve made stuff before. Some really cool stuff. Not even just the big stuff. I’ve made basic sketches and notes that were far better than I planned, and I just had to show off immediately. Because when I hit, I knock it out of the park. I know I can do it.
But still…
There’s nothing…
Maybe something…
But that’s stupid. It would never work. It’s not even a real idea.
And now I have to get it done. I have to grind something out, and it has to be good. But not just good. It has to be great. Ok, maybe just not bad. I just don’t want it to be bad. People know what I can produce. I know what can produce. There’s a standard here, an expectation.
The image of the tortured artist lying around, distraught at her lack of inspiration. The writer staring at his keyboard, desperately hoping for words to appear. These are tropes for a reason. Because it happens, and sometimes, I just want to succumb to it. However, we have to try to get out of our own way about it.
In her Ted Talk, Elizabeth Gilbert, the author of “Eat, Pray, Love” talks about how the pressure of writing another successful book often stood in her way of actually creating and discusses the age-old belief that creativity and suffering are intrinsically linked, a notion she finds harmful. She turns to the wisdom of ancient Greece and Rome, where creativity was seen as a divine gift rather than an innate human ability. According to this perspective, artists acted as conduits for the muses, bearing no responsibility for their work's success or failure, and it was not up to them if it rivaled their past works.
This concept can help alleviate the pressure we put on ourselves, recognizing that the creative process is unpredictable and ever-changing. Poet Ruth Stone likened it to a force of nature, something to be chased and captured before it passes us by. Embracing this approach can help us be more open and receptive to the unpredictable nature of inspiration.
While we can’t always force creativity, we don’t have just to sit idly by, waiting for inspiration to strike. When creativity seems elusive, we can try seeking inspiration from the works of others. As Stephen King puts it, "Good writers are good readers." Engaging with the creative endeavors of others can help spark new ideas and unlock previously unexplored avenues in our own work.
Remember, creativity is wildly unpredictable. While I know that at some point, as talented as I am, I’ll be stopped in my tracks again, it helps to have ideas on how to direct my efforts best. I often fall into the trap of treating creativity like hard work, just something to sit down and grind out., but we don't have to force our creativity. We also don't need to sit idly, waiting for it to arrive. Actively seeking out sources of inspiration can help guide our efforts and keep us motivated. Looking at other artists’ works, and seeing how they relayed a message or what combination they put together, can open up avenues that hadn’t even been considered.
So, go read a book or go to a gallery. Watch a movie, or listen to your favorite album. Immerse yourself in the creativity around you, then channel it into your own work.
To all of the artists, musicians, writers, and problem solvers unable to move forward. Keep going; you got this.
