C Is For… Create
Contributed by Tina Holland.
Create – It always brings the image of something new and fresh. That image holds for the story as well. I have always found the early stages of writing the most exciting. Spending time with my characters, learning where they live, and what they do, generating back stories for them, and so forth.
The early days and sometimes weeks are the easiest. What is not easy is when I hit that first wall. What do I do then? I create something different, I play with crayons, I try and figure out a new dance, I garden, or plan a space in my home. Sometimes I even create another story.
It may seem counterproductive to create another world with new characters, new rules, and new everything, but I would argue why not. If the goal is to be on the page and in my case published page, why not get as much of that early story out before I run out of creative energy? I find shiny object syndrome much preferable to writer’s block. I guess technically I am blocked on one story so why not create something else?
Eventually, I find my way back and finish, until I reach The End, I embrace my process.
I completely agree with what you write about how turning to other forms of creativity can “unblock” a writing block. I’ve heard that Neil Gaiman forces himself to write by forbidding himself to do anything EXCEPT WRITE. Eventually, mind-numbing boredom drives him to the page. Fine if that works for him, but it would NEVER work for me. Like you, I find that being creative in one area enhances my creativity in all other areas.
I enjoyed this, and I agree – whatever works! Creatively speaking, the only poor strategy is not creating anything at all. Well done.