Creativity Block?

[Ceeje]

Ok, I'm no great artist -- I know that. I like to write, but I'm no Emily Dickinson. But, it feels good to create something. To be able to stand back and say, Hey! I made that! But, it's been a while since I've been able to do that.

Have you ever had a creativity block? This has happened twice to me. First, for three years I worked a job that was started out being a great inspiration for writing. I was a teacher at an alternative school for kids had gotten in trouble with the law and couldn't return to regular school. I saw a lot of horrible and wonderful things that just hit at a deep, emotional level. But, before long, I realized that the system was severely flawed. Rather than helping these kids, the system was trapping them -- and I was a part of the system. Every drop of creative energy disappeared. It was like I had made a deal with the devil by working there and had sold my creative soul. I didn't write a thing after my first year there (or maybe it was closer to 6 months). Not one single thing for two years. Then, fate stepped in. I changed jobs and started writing again. That was in 2002.

The second time I had a creative block happened in Jan 2005 when my mom had a hemorrhagic stroke followed by a brain aneurysm. Mom survived but she wasn't Mom anymore. I had to be the strong one for the family. I clamped down on my emotions and hid them from everyone. I haven't written a single real thing since then. I've written a couple of fanfics, but that's easy. It's someone else's emotions, someone else's characters. It wasn't real.

Now I want to start writing again, but I don't know how to break out of this block.

My question to you is, Have you ever been in a situation or a period of your life that just blocked your creativity? What did you do when your muse seemed to forget that you existed?

[blueeyz]

I have absolutely gone through periods of my life where I am creatively blocked. Even when I would try to crank out a poem, it just wouldn't flow. And I would always have my justification -- I'm just too busy for it. I need to concentrate on the practical aspects of my life. I finally realized that my creative side needed to come out more in order for me to be a better, happier, more successful person. Here are some things that have helped:

Read the kind of stuff you want to write. Go to the library/book store and check out/buy those kinds of books. Whatever it is.....short stories, poetry, children's books...immerse yourself in others' works to get you motivated. Read the writing threads on this site, and other writing sites. Focus on the lyrics of songs. Basically pay attention to what already is out there and let that be a spring board for your own creative contribution.

Create a thread here that will motivate you. The poetry thread that was created by Starcrossed keeps me motivated. I have no idea how many people read it, but just knowing that someone is and appreciating it keeps me motivated. Plus, I love reading the other poems that get posted on that thread, so I want it to stay alive!

Do things that will inspire you. Go out, meet people, explore nature, etc. Anything that will give you something to write about.

Write about your painful experiences. Not only will you be writing, you will be checking into self-therapy.

That's it for now....if I think of anything else, I'll post it.

-Blue

[bostongirl]

Ceeje - I guess I would not characterize my experience as a creative block as much as becoming frozen in place. A million years ago I was a musician and played in jazz bands. Life got in the way eventually and to be honest I lost faith in myself.

I did not go back to music but thru some codmic happening I started writing about 2 years ago now. I think my brain and body would not let me keep everything pent up one more second. I have seen your writing you are really good.

I would suggest that you pick a quiet time and just start and focus on the most emotional/meaningful events, feelings, etc. Just start writing something. It will turn into literature in some form. When i started, it was just to capture some thoughts. I never imagined that I was going to evolve it into poetry. And as Blue says it is amazing therapy. This is a pretty good forum to post whatever you want to share. Everyone is very supportive. We are all here for each other.


Liz

[Stiletto]

I go through it too now that I have really begun concentrating on writing lyrics.

Everyday life does get in the way and it is hard to get focused again.

I find that if I experience a block I try and find the time to sit by myself (usually in the wee hours) and just let random thoughts come into my head and write them down.

I do this with the guitar as well.........no rhyme or reason to what I'm playing or saying.

I also ''listen'' to lyrics to inspire me and often escape with the sound of water.

I've hit upon great ideas for songs using these techniques.

I've always wanted to write a novel.....I even took a creative writing course for awhile.........but didn't finish it.

I think the advice from Boston and Blueeyz5 is very good.

I can't wait to read your writing Ceeje............

[julianah]

"Creativity Block" is my middle name... Well, not officially, but I have considered doing the paperwork.

When I first started working as a designer -- being creative on demand for money -- I had a HUGE block. I was able to be very creative at work... always had ideas for client work, but the personal creativity just shrivelled up and blew away. In the early days, part of my job was illustration. I eventually had to make a compromise. I told my boss I couldn't continue illustrating for clients because I hadn't drawn or painted a single thing for FUN since I started. Drawing had been my hobby -- something that relaxed me -- but doing it for money had sucked all the fun out of it. I decided to keep that just for myself because I find that once I turn one of my creative outlets into a product, it's not fun anymore... and once I've done it for money, it's nearly impossible to turn off that critical voice when I'm trying to create something on my own time.

I sometimes wish I hadn't gone into a creative career. I wish I had kept that part of myself FOR myself rather than selling it. There's a lot of burn-out in my field... That's why I'm taking a semi-break from it right now. I would love to be able to find a balance between work and personal creativity... a way to stop using it all up and selling it at work so there's something left just for me at the end of the day.

I've gone through years of major blockage. My breakthroughs usually come in the wee hours of the morning. When I have passed the point of tired, I have sort of an out-of-body second-wind; the worries and the internal voices of doubt, demand, and worry are silenced. I love it when I'm able to tap into that other part of myself. I go into a different zone. The outside world disappears and I feel like ME for a while. That's the only time I get anything creative done these days. When I try to force something, I just end up hitting a brick wall. So, my advice is to find your own quiet place and time... a place and time where and when you feel most comfortable... with the fewest outside interruptions. Don't try to force it, just trust in yourself, and trust that the creativity IS in there and it WILL come out when it's ready. Putting pressure on yourself to be creative is the surest way to stifle it.

[Ceeje]

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. Here's what I got out of them that I think will help me:

1. Read what you want to write. I like writing poetry. That's my thing. I've got to dig out my poetry books, and maybe buy some new ones, because since I've stopped teaching and going to school, I rarely ever read them anymore.

2. Make time to write. I can't let myself get "too busy" to write. My favorite professor from college, Bettie Sellers (former Poet Laureate of Georgia), used to get up every morning at 5 AM just to have a couple of hours to write. If she can do it, so can I...I think.

And, finally, probably the hardest one:

3. Write from your heart I realized after my post that I had never written about my mom. I've written about everything else under the sun, but not about her. I sat down that night to write about it. Right now, it's just a jumble of thoughts and lines. It's beginning to take form. It's slow work and painful work, but I've got to do it. For me and for her.

Thanks again.

[starcrossed]

You know it's funny but I have been going through this a lot lately... my writing hasn't been coming easy to me, so I have just not been writing as much.

I think that life has just been too busy for me and that it has made it difficult to focus just on my creativity. And, seeing that 99.9999% of my writing comes from my heart... well, I am in a crap heap as far as writing...LOL

I refuse to force my work. So, I am just going to let this pass and when the time comes then I will let the words flow once more.

I hope that you find your creative spark once more Ceeje. I know that it will come... just give it time and space to regain it's breath of life.

Remember that the flames of creative passion must be given oxygen to grow. So, take a moment... take a big breath... and when your soul is ready, trust that it will breathe in so much life that no one will be able to contain the flames of your creativity!

~Steph