4 Ways to Move Through Writer’s Block

…and Embrace the Seasons of your Creative LIfe

Color Schemes

by Debra VanDeventer

 (sometimes)
I am turquoise
confident, creative 
shining brilliant,
reflecting
sonoran sky
caribbean sea

(sometimes)
I am gray
silent, solitary
suspended in space
between
black and white
gathering thoughts
for turquoise days

What is Writer’s Block

Some call it “writers block,” for me it’s more of a lack of inspiration, low energy, self-doubts I call them my gray days. Whatever it is, these dry spells are concerning for me. Negative thoughts creep in and that internal nagging voice seizes the opportunity to taunt me: you are a bad speller, no one will think your writing is interesting, there are better uses for your time, it’s too much work…

Moving Through Writer’s Block

What do you do when you experience a block to your creativity? First of all, don’t panic. It happens to all writers and other artists. Here are 4 things I’ve found to be helpful during gray days.

#1 Affirmations

Nip those self-doubts in the bud RIGHT NOW. Change each negative thought into an affirmation. You are a bad speller...that’s what spell check and editors are for. No one will think your writing is interesting…my writing may inspire others. Your writing is a waste of time…my writing is important to me.

Julia Cameron (The Artist’s Way) calls these blurts and affirmations. Write your own and keep the list handy. You will needto go to battle with that voice again and again.

#2 Find inspiration from Books about Writing

I have a stack of 3 books I keep by my writing desk and have bookmarked parts that help me regain my inner artist. In addition to the Artist’s Way (mentioned above) I go to Elizabeth Gilbert (Big Magic) and here’s a quote that I recently found helpful from Anne Lamott (Bird by Bird) as I was experiencing the ups and downs of publishing.

“But I still encourage anyone who feels at all compelled to write to do so.  I just try to warn people who hope to get published that publication is not all that it is cracked up to be.  But writing is. Writing has so much to give, so much to teach, so many surprises.  That thing that you force yourself to do—the actual act of writing—turns out to be the best part.  It’s like discovering that while you thought you needed the tea ceremony for the caffeine, what you really needed was the tea ceremony.  The act of writing turns out to be its own reward.” 

#3 Gather Your Tribe

The act of writing is a solitary endeavor. You sit, by yourself with your computer or note pad and you write. But to be a writer you need a tribe, a group of other writers to support and ecourage you, people who can lift you up when you feel like quitting, people who inspire you to contiually improve your skills. I find this support from members of my local writer’s forum that meets monthly, and even more importantly I find this support from my close-knit critique group and mentors.

#4 It’s OK to be Gray

While discussing my poem in critique group this week, my friend Karen remarked “I don’t think we can have tourquoise without the gray.” I think this is to say that as artists, we need to have periods of pulling back, reflection…silent, solitary…somewhere between white and black. I’m learning to embrace the gray as part of my creative cycle and I try not to panic. The gray is a preparation for turquoise days ahead.