"AuroraLockwood;14928215" wrote:
Has anyone else ever dealt with this or know any ways to help deal with it. I get that writer's block is something happens to everyone but even knowing that hasn't helped me avoid getting into a slump every time I go through this cycle.
@AuroraLockwood - I've been thinking about the energies of grit and inspiration and about how I draw from them in order to maintain creative focus and growth.
Most of us creative types thrive on inspiration and feel it often: that's what drives us higher and fills us with enthusiasm when we start projects. Inspiration is not, by nature, constant: it comes and goes, ebbs and flows.
Think of it as waves.
Grit is the constant below this.
http://www.howardmodels.com/fun-stuff/golden-gate-bridge/Golden-Gate-Lg.jpg
(One of my best friends describes love like this: there's the constant beneath, that keeps a couple together through time, and then there are the waves of closeness and intimacy that ride this--the highs aren't always there, but the constant beneath the highs remains.)
I started becoming aware of the value of grit through my cello practice. Six years ago, when I started learning the cello, I made a commitment to practice six days a week. For the first year, when I was so inspired that every time I played, my fun meter filled, finding time to practice was easy. During the second year, I became really busy, and it took effort to find time to practice. When I thought about it, my fun meter would drop. Usually, all it took was taking my cello out of the case and rosining my bow for me to start feeling engaged again--but still, thinking about sitting down to practice required me to work through a feeling of "blah."
About that time, I came across this article that mentioned grit: http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/raising_happiness/post/the_importance_of_pain . I realized I could draw upon this in my cello practice.
Here's how I use grit in cello:
1) I commit to practicing six days a week. I like knowing I get one day a week off, in case I need an extra hour of goof-off time.
2) Since I've made that commitment, I know I'll practice whether I "feel like it" or not. So I don't even check in to see if I feel like it. I just do it. If I don't do it in the morning before I go to the office, I do it when I get home, before I make supper or before yoga practice. It's just part of my day, like brushing my hair or taking a shower.
3) I have a practice routine: scales, exercises, repertoire.
4) I work in options: I've got three different types of scales I can do, depending which seem like most fun or which will most help my current repertoire. I have one set of exercises that I can do if I feel like it or not. If I want, I've got a bunch of fun pieces I can choose from at the end of the practice that each bring a lot of joy to play--but I don't have to play them if I don't want to. What's important here is choice: since it *is* important to me to "do what I feel like", I've worked in choices to my practice, so that I don't feel that my own preferences are being ignored. It's my compromise with grit--see? I get to do some of what I want!
5) I have specific goals for each practice: Maybe I'll work on legato, or string crossings, or double-stops. Before each session, I'll think about what my goal is, then during practice, I'll remember that goal as I'm moving through the routine.
6) I don't worry about fun. I do the practice regardless of whether it will be fun or not. What always happens is once I begin tuning my instrument, my body settles down, and by the time I've finished the first scale, I'm engaged. Fun comes. But it's not what drives me. It's a byproduct, not a goal.
How does this transfer to writing?
Pretty directly, I think.
1) Make a commitment to write. With writing, five to six days a week is probably plenty. And half an hour each day should be a good amount.
2) Just do it, regardless of whether you feel like it or not. Fit it into the day, just like you'd wash the dishes or brush your teeth.
3) Have a routine. Maybe you start with a quick review of what you wrote yesterday. Maybe you do ten minutes of free-writing or brainstorming. Maybe you just dive right into the next chapter. (Ok--I'm not sure how this transfers to writing... I like to mix up my writing routine, so maybe this doesn't apply?)
4) Work in options: This is essential to me in writing. That's why I've got at least two active Sim stories at once, so that I can work on the one I feel like. There are plenty of options: write dialogue; revise; work on sensory details; free-write. And many more!
5) Have a specific goal. Don't just sit down and wait for inspiration. Know what you're going to work on when you sit down. With my Sim stories, I usually know which chapter--or which aspect of that chapter--I'll be focusing on when I sit down to write.
6) Don't worry about fun. Have you noticed that our Sims lose fun when they write? We might do so, too. That's ok! After half an hour, you can do something fun to build that fun meter back up! (And here's a Sim-strategy I learned which I use, too: If your Sim is a music-lover, have them listen to music while they write, and they'll gain fun! It works for me, too.)
If you do this for two months, three months, four... you'll start developing a writing habit, and it will pay off in all aspects of your life. I guarantee.
What about inspiration? We need it! It's an important part of the suspension bridge!
Here are some techniques for gaining inspiration that my students have taught me:
1) Think about your writing, and then do something: go for a bike ride, take a walk, do the dishes, take a shower, go swimming, make a meal.
2) Daydream.
3) Play! Imagine you're your character. Write the story backwards or inside out!
4) Go someplace stimulating: a cafe, outside, a different room.
5) Watch a movie or play games--then write.
There are lots of other ways to gain inspiration, too...
The point is, foster inspiration when you need it. But don't rely on it. Be willing, able, and committed to write even when the inspiration is lacking. Dedicate yourself to it as a practice.
Other interesting articles: http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/two_ways_to_foster_grit
http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/raising_happiness/post/failure_winner
I'd love to read what others have to say, too! @ValoisFulcanelli @NoWayJose527
