Banish The Block: 4 More Ways to Keep Your Creative Juices Flowing
Part 2 (see part 1 here).
After my last blog, I was asked to do a brain-boost about creative hygiene for Cowork Frederick, and it got me thinking, “What important creative practices did I miss writing about?” Truly, this topic is complex enough to be a book. (And maybe I will write it someday). So I started looking around to see what other artists have to say about the creative process.
Getting clear on your vision
I read a lot of celebrity memoirs. Some of them are great, others, not so much. Last year, I listened to Barbra Streisand’s memoir “Call Me Barbra,” and gained insight into her creative process. Whether it be a new album, movie, or concert, Barbra is clear on her vision for the project. When she directs a film, she knows exactly how she wants each shot to be composed, right down to capturing the way the sun glimmers off the water. She listens to others in the room, but ultimately trusts her own instincts. We can all learn from Barbra’s clarity of vision and the way she trusts herself when making decisions.
Managing your creative energy
In the last blog, I wrote about how self-care is a crucial part of the creative process for me. So is understanding how my energy flows throughout the day. I get my best writing done in the morning. My mind is sharper and my ideas are fresher at 6 AM. However, my dear friend Amy is a night owl, and she does her best writing at night. It’s all about paying attention to how your energy flows throughout the day, and structuring your writing around that. Also, pay attention to your mental state. If you are struggling mentally or emotionally, it might not be the best time to write. But, there is a caveat: don’t use the “I just don’t feel like it” as an excuse to not write or create. Sometimes that little voice is the one that keeps you from accomplishing your writing goals.
Finding a creative community
Writing or creating art is often a solo endeavor. And that's okay! After all, we need that distraction-free time to really focus on our writing. But there are times when I find myself feeling lonely or needing some outside encouragement. That is where my creative community comes in. Over the last several months, I’ve been involved with an online writing community. This has been beneficial to me in many ways.
They help keep me accountable in my writing journey
They offer support when times are tough
They can offer feedback.
They help me with brainstorming and generating ideas.
They remind me that I am not alone in my writing journey.
Once you join a creative community, remember that you need to give as much as you get. It's “pay it forward” rules. Even when you don’t want to, offer to read another writer’s chapter and give them good notes; it's good karma for when you need someone to read yours.
Develop a way to capture your ideas
Great ideas are fleeting, and trust me, you probably won’t remember that lightning bolt idea later when you need it. That means that when an idea strikes, you need to capture it before it's gone. How you take down your ideas is very personal, and it could be different for every artist or writer. Some people carry around a small notebook, others use their phones to record their ides. My mode is to have multiple notebooks stashed all around so that I have one when I need it. The problem with this method is that I often forget where I left my notebooks. But I’ll let you know if I find a better way to do this.
So, we’ve gone over all the ways I know to bust writer’s block. But there are so many more out there. Post a comment or contact me with your favorite ways to keep those creative juices flowing.