The concept of running out of words to write is as much a looming shadow as writer’s block. We agonize over whether we’ll be a one hit wonder or a wonder at all, worrying about new ideas and current ideas and what paths they’ll take.
But have you ever just stopped…and listened?
Over the weekend I started reading a new book. One that’s historically based — so much so that the first three chapters are the author giving you a point of reference so you can step into his tale enriched and excited. As I was reading, a part of a sentence stood out to me and I wondered…what if?
All it took was a few words, a partially consumed thought and I had a story brewing.
In a moment, I caught a glimmer of insight as I remembered what I already knew.
Creativity is not a well. It can’t run dry.
A Masquerade Of Thoughts
‘I have writer’s block.’
‘I don’t know what I want to say.’
‘What if I don’t have anything to say?’ Or, alternatively, ‘What if I run out of things to say?’
Sometimes there are truths behind these thoughts. Burnout is real. So is fatigue. You can be blocked, emotionally.
But how much of it really applies to our creative endeavors?
When I feel like I’m blocked, it’s because my focus and desires are elsewhere. When I feel lost, it’s because I’m distracted. When I worry about whether I’ll have anything to write, the answer is that I’m simply not listening.
Writing — and being creative in general — is full of harsh realities. There is no trick that can save you from yourself. Anyone can learn by reading a book or Googling a question, but understanding takes patience. The difference is nourishment versus instant gratification.
Are you willing to understand what drives you, or will you accept what blocks you?
We often block our own thoughts by indulging in or caving into worries and doubts. We accept them as real fears rather than a passing thought that occurs when something isn’t happening as quickly or as smoothly as we’d like.
Because doing the work is hard, and no one can do it for you.
Related Post: Creative Noise: What Is It, And When Should You Listen?
How To Get Past Your Doubts
I’d like to say that I wish there were an easy answer to this. But the truth is I’m happy there’s not, for one very specific reason. Allow me to explain.
A few years ago I got my hands on a copy of a book I had looked forward to for months. I loved the author’s previous works and this one was described as a unique take on fairy tales that I hadn’t previously seen done.
As I read, I could tell that the author was having fun. So much so that she indulged in her own thoughts and style to the point of under-developing her characters. The story was flat. There were several holes. What could have been a beautiful plot line was a story best described as meh.
Getting past your creative doubts has little to do with understanding their roots, facing your fears or believing in yourself. It has everything to do with understanding your process, and a large part of that is recognizing when your ego has stepped into the room.
There are two pieces of advice I use to identify and move past this.
One was taught to me by a college professor. While reviewing a short story I had written, he looked up at me and simply said “Kill your darlings.”
Your darlings are lines of prose that catch your eye. They make you smile and you love their existence on the page. But when you step away and objectively look at your work they’re the fault lines in your story, ready to collapse an entire world because they aren’t authentic to the story itself. They’re your ego having fun at the expense of your work.
The other was a swift kindness that took me years to truly understand. While mulling over why I was stuck on a story prompt my dad said, “Stop looking for motivation and get to work.”
The act of creating art holds a romantic nostalgia. We idealize what it will be like to be a writer or a designer or an artist, and in doing so we neglect the importance of understanding how hard it is.
Being an artist takes an outrageous amount of self discipline and drive. The key to being successful lies in understanding that, and looking forward to it.
A Simple Place To Start
When your art begins to feel stuck or ideas won’t form, step back from your thought process. Look at it objectively. What is really causing you to feel stuck? Is it truly that you don’t have any new ideas, or are you just unhappy?
When you clear your mind and ask yourself why, you might find that you’re overwhelmed at the prospect of starting. Or perhaps a previous project didn’t turn out the way you expected and rather than revel in the lessons it brought you, you’ve become discouraged. Whatever it might be, know that you have no reason to fear the answer. It can only bring clarity.
If you’re in the midst of feeling stuck you might be thinking, well that’s not simple at all!
Whittling your thoughts down to bare truths is a challenging process to learn because it asks that we remove all excuses. It’s uncomfortable at first, but if you can withstand it you might find it to be incredibly soothing. You just need to allow yourself the time to understand it, learn it and work it into your process.
And when all else fails, there are three much simpler things I start with:
A snack. Caffeine. And water.
SAMANTHA PATERNOSTER
Writing is much bigger than a career. It’s more interesting than a hobby. It’s the spark to an eternal curiosity that has led me to learn unexpected skills, treasure knowledge passed down through generations, and create a space for voices that need to speak.
I earned my B.A. in Creative Writing from Brandeis University, with a focus on long and short fiction. I have nearly a decade of experience as a copywriter and editor. But I’ve also worked as an Email Analyst and QA Analyst at Yale University, helping to launch their redesigned Giving page circa 2014.
Most recently, I’ve started my own business – Creatively You. Built for my clients, it is founded on one simple act: listening. By listening to my clients’ dreams and needs, I am able to help them develop their brands through cohesive web design and content that tells their stories.
I don’t believe in linear paths. I do believe in the magic that embracing the unknown can bring.
