We all got through periods where our inspiration seems to
have deserted us. Our minds churn and panic sets in as deadlines loom and
everyone wants an update on your latest and greatest…And you got nada, nothing,
zip.
You spend your time staring at a blank page or end up
playing Candy Crush. As the clock ticks away you become desperate to unblock
your muse. Everything you put on paper is uninspired and gawd awful! And you
wonder if you will ever find that elusive spark again.
Yeah, I like every writer I know we have been there, done
that and got the tee-shirt and the coffee mug. I’ve heard of so many ways to
set your muse free, but do they work? And if they do work is it a temporary
fix?
I’ve come to learn it’s all a case of personality…yours. How
your brain works, the mechanics of what sparks the creative side of your brain.
Are you a left brained person? If so then a more analytical approach may be
your answer. For those who are right brained it’s all about creativity.
Then, you have those like me. I use both sides of my brain,
which usually results in a war between the two opposing forces. Yeah, my mom should have never forced me to
use my right hand, now I have the two sides at war on how best to approach things.
I’m getting ahead of myself here. Let’s first discuss those wonderful analytical,
oh so logical left brained writers.
Most of the time these are the people who plot out every
detail they can before writing down a single word. A great way to keep yourself
from writing yourself into a corner true, but when inspiration is not even a
spark, sometimes it can be hard to keep
your focus. For those lovely left
brainers there are different ways to use your “down” time in a positive way. If
you work a series try fleshing out the overall story arc, the characters and
the individual plots for each character who the series will deal with. If you
have already done this and still find yourself dead in the water, discern where
the trouble started. Chances good one of your main characters is at fault.
Either you have them feeling or reacting to something which goes against their
nature. You can also try writing a different scene or chapter. If all of this
still won’t shake you out of your funk you may want to start another book.
Sometimes your brain needs a break and given a fresh idea may open the
floodgates so to speak.
For my right brained, oh so creative writers. Those, who write
by the seat of their pants, following their spark like a sailor would follow
the North Star, try a little bit of plotting. Not much, just enough to keep you
on the right path. Sometimes injecting a small amount of order into your
creative chaos can keep your muse happy and talking with hardly a mishap to be
had. Though words like character sheets and outlines give you a nasty rash of
hives, try just a little bit of…organization –there, I said the dreaded O word
and lived. Another thing to help keep
the flow of writing smooth is to work on other creative projects. Whatever you
do, paint, sew , pottery or even scrapbooking! Use these small hobbies of yours
to recharge and work with your writing. I myself, usually oil paint to help me
keep from getting blocked. Whatever you do, keep your story firmly in mind as
you focus your creativity on another different project remember it’s only a
breather and give yourself a time limit to get back to work.
Now, for those like me who walks the middle line between the
two you can try each of the suggestions given, find out what works for you. I
even tried meditation at one point…wanted to gnaw off my arm after fifteen minutes
and got nowhere, but I did try it. Yay me!
No one has the perfect, sure fire answer to help with
writers block. There are some out there who believe writers block doesn’t even
exist. Whatever you may call the struggle with your inspiration really matters
very little. What’s important is how you work through it.
There are times when you just need some R&R plain and
simple. Burn out from too many intense hours at the keyboard and not enough
time engaging in the world is just as harmful. So go ahead and allow yourself
time to play your games, have a date night with your hubby or just take a
weekend off from anything to do with writing. Give your brain a break and allow
yourself to live in the world guilt free. Your word count will not suffer since
the time you write will be much more productive.
Try different exercises which will help you focus, go with
what makes sense to you and what you find works. Don’t worry so much about
writers block, instead make it a positive way to make your writing better.
Above all keep the passion. We write because we love it keep
that foremost in your mind and enjoy the journey.
Happy Writing
Shannan
