What Happens When...Your Imaginary Friends Lock You Out
Every so often no inspiration appears. I might have a piece of the puzzle but can't quite click it together to make it whole. Time to take a break?!
We, as creative people, are complex or even 'crazy'. No way around it, so might as well dwell in it. I choose to believe the 'complex' version as I have articles from reputable professionals to prove it.
Writer's Block. Those days or months when the page glares back at you because it's totally white and your mind idles just as blank. Your imaginary friends are holding back and have declared vacation. They hold picket signs and demand some rest. Then the pitter-patter of little feet are heard as they run across the gateway of said imagination right before the slam of the imaginary door rings in your ears. And the finale, the thud of an imaginary deadbolt being slid into place.
Writers discuss, complain and whine about this often. Unlike others, its weird when we don't hear voices. That eerie silence really freaks us out. I had my doubts about this so-called 'writers block' in the past or I refused to give it the attention it deserved. I mean, our imaginary friends don't need to know and what they don't know won't hurt them, right?
When I started my third book, I scribbled all inspiration as it came in little bits over time. Confident I would look back over these notes and see the plot and characters come together without a hitch. To my horror, it was a confusing, jumbled mess. Instead of a great book idea, it seemed to be scribbles of a madman. Unfortunately, I wasn't going to write horror genre with a madman in it. Nor was I planning to make a bomb or threaten the president.
So, now what? Not to worry. These hiatuses are about mental health. Anything to escape for awhile to obtain a fresh perspective. Your imaginary friends are giving you the best gift. Before you know it, they'll be back to feed your imagination with tons of great ideas again as you say, "Already, but I was just gonna..."
But in true creative spirit, you will secretly be thankful
and excited to get on with it.
Leave a comment, voice an opinion and start a conversation.
http://www.skthomasauthor.com for all things SK Thomas
We, as creative people, are complex or even 'crazy'. No way around it, so might as well dwell in it. I choose to believe the 'complex' version as I have articles from reputable professionals to prove it.
Writer's Block. Those days or months when the page glares back at you because it's totally white and your mind idles just as blank. Your imaginary friends are holding back and have declared vacation. They hold picket signs and demand some rest. Then the pitter-patter of little feet are heard as they run across the gateway of said imagination right before the slam of the imaginary door rings in your ears. And the finale, the thud of an imaginary deadbolt being slid into place.
Writers discuss, complain and whine about this often. Unlike others, its weird when we don't hear voices. That eerie silence really freaks us out. I had my doubts about this so-called 'writers block' in the past or I refused to give it the attention it deserved. I mean, our imaginary friends don't need to know and what they don't know won't hurt them, right?
When I started my third book, I scribbled all inspiration as it came in little bits over time. Confident I would look back over these notes and see the plot and characters come together without a hitch. To my horror, it was a confusing, jumbled mess. Instead of a great book idea, it seemed to be scribbles of a madman. Unfortunately, I wasn't going to write horror genre with a madman in it. Nor was I planning to make a bomb or threaten the president.
So, now what? Not to worry. These hiatuses are about mental health. Anything to escape for awhile to obtain a fresh perspective. Your imaginary friends are giving you the best gift. Before you know it, they'll be back to feed your imagination with tons of great ideas again as you say, "Already, but I was just gonna..."
But in true creative spirit, you will secretly be thankful
and excited to get on with it.
Leave a comment, voice an opinion and start a conversation.
http://www.skthomasauthor.com for all things SK Thomas
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