Overcoming Writer’s Block
There is no
greater ecstasy to compose a written work with complete flow and
artistic creativity. When a writer is in the flow zone,
expressions seem to stream with little effort and the completion
of a given work is masterfully compiled.
Many writers,
however, suddenly lose their “creative” flair as soon as they
complete a project. Empowered by the passion of the subject
matter for which they were composing, as the project comes to a
close, so, too, does the drive to maintain a creative composure
diminish. Alas, the syndrome that is characterized as writer’s
block commences.
I, like many
writers, have been a victim of writer’s block. After completing a
given work, I have strived to maintain my creative energy
flowing. For endless hours, I have sat in front of my computer,
staring at a blank screen, praying for inspiration to travel from
my mind to my fingers. Yet, inspiration never arrived.
In developing
my writing skills, I discovered that in order to keep the
creative juices flowing, I had to find inspiration within the
depth of me. Much like unveiling a wonderful discovery, writing
inspiration is always waiting to be exposed. The key, then, is to
find the means by which we can draw the hidden passages of
thoughts for a new project…a new inspiration.
Instead of
trying to force new ideas to surface, playful—yet creative
exercises have greatly assisted me in unveiling inspiration for
new material. Journal writing is by far my greatest asset. In
maintaining a daily journal, I have been able to capture
inner-thoughts and ideas that have been instrumental in the
composition of many of my written projects. Reading a variety of
non-fictional and fictional works, have also proven to awaken my
creative juices. Spending quality time in the company of nature
has also benefited. Losing myself in the beauty of landscapes,
drenching my body and soul in the warmth of the sun and laying
aimlessly in a grassy field, have always inspired me to compose,
even if it is a simple poem.
To me,
writer’s block is simply a signal from the creative mind, warning
a writer to stop trying to be so “logical.” Once a writer allows
the natural flow of inspiration to enter his consciousness, the
“block” ceases to exist. The key element, then, is to embrace the
down time of creative flow and return to the simple things of
life that give birth to natural flow of creativity.
