Creativity Tune-up

I work at a place that prizes creativity, and encourages people to make it a daily priority.

I like this philosophy, and I embrace it. However, there are days when creativity does not flow. It's not necessarily stuck. It's just dormant. It's taken me a while to learn that it is recharging, and gathering steam, and it will end up being almost too strong to handle when it does come back.

So what do you do when you want to be creative but your creativity is hibernating?

1. Don't panic -- This is the hardest part. It always, and I mean always, feels like we've had our last date with the muse, and we can't help but wonder what we did to drive her away. We don't believe her when she flits away, tossing over her shoulder, "I'll call you". We wring our hands, desperately trying to figure out a solution, ready to sell our soul to make her happy once more. But just as we have a need to step away from the work, so does the muse. Give her some space. Everyone will benefit from the separation.
2. Fix the easy stuff -- Concentrate on things that are more rote, or mundane--all of those little details that you don't have time for when you're in the giddy phase of word sprints. Now you can search for extra spaces in your manuscript. Check the formatting. Or spend some time on that research that makes you feel guilty when you "should" be writing. Check the links on previous blog posts. While you're re-reading them, see if they spark any new ideas and write down some notes for when the muse is back in town.
3. Read your own work -- This time read your story as a reader, not a writer. Let yourself get lost in the characters and the events you created. Fall in love again with the world you imagined a long while ago, before you had to tear it down and rebuild it. Remember what it was like to immerse yourself in a book that sprang from your heart. Sometimes this is enough to resuscitate that creative spirit that has gone dormant temporarily.
4. Take time to play -- We get so absorbed with writing, and writing-related activities, we don't know how to enjoy other aspects of life. We forget that writing is a reflection of our non-writing experiences. We need to replenish those, so that we have something to draw on when it's time to add words to the page. So enjoy the unexpected break from the writing routine. Go outside and see what the rest of the world is doing. Store up some events that will inspire you at a later date. You might be surprised at what is outside your four walls.

I'm definitely ready for a creativity tune-up today. Anyone else want to join me?

Comments

[Sabrina]

great suggestions!

[Donna Cummings]

Thanks, Sabrina. I hope they help. :)

[Melissa]

I like these ideas! Sometimes when I've done #2: Fix the Easy Stuff, I've been surprised by some actual writing. The Muse is sneaky that way. LOL

[Quantum]

My muse is a bit like the genie in a bottle ..... a scotch bottle.
When my creativity runs dry I release him by opening the bottle! LOL

I like your remedies as well Donna, especially the 'take time to play'.
Whenever I start a new project or tackle a new problem, I always play with it a bit before attacking in earnest. A bit like a kitten with a ball of wool.

Come to think,I may roar like a lion at times, but I'm just a cuddly pussy cat at heart.
Except when I release my muse.

I will definitely join your tune up .... especially if its the playtime bit. LOL

[Donna Cummings]

Melissa, the muse is incredibly sneaky. LOL I think Endora likes switching gears on me like that, to see if I can keep up. I'm gonna give her a good test today--I've got lots of things I'm working on. :)

[Donna Cummings]

Q, I love the genie in the scotch bottle. LOL How could you NOT be creative when you've got that for an ally?

I think we overlook the playtime too much. We feel like we have to always work, and that's not true. A lot of great ideas spring forth when we're relaxed and involved in leisurely activities, yet somehow guilt forces us away from those very productive things.

So bring that genie over and we'll schedule a play date. LOL

[Mstracybrown]

Hi Donna,

When I was having a bit of a creative block not too long ago, a friend suggested I go through the manuscript and look for new places to end/begin chapters (something I needed to do). Just taking the time to "fix that easy stuff" tossed me back into the creative fold. :)

Looking forward to reading more of your posts. Found you today via Les Edgerton's blog site.

[Donna Cummings]

Hi Mstracybrown -- thanks for stopping by!

It's amazing how focusing on "the easy stuff" gets our brains back into gear. And changing the endings and beginnings of chapters is a perfect thing to do, since it can alter the story in a huge way. Once that happens, it IS hard to stay away from the writing. :)