What to do about creative confusion

Many creators talk about writers block or feeling creatively stuck but what about feeling confusion in your creativity? When you have a lot of ideas and feel confused and unsure about where to go with them.

This is how I feel at the moment. I started writing a semi-autobiographical story. It felt like a really exciting story, diving into my childhood, whilst also being emotional and cathartic. It feels like an important story to tell – even if it ends up just being for me. Then this opened a can of worms! I started to think of many stories that I could pluck from my life. Emotive, lighthearted, important experiences.

And then there’s still the fantasy writer in me. The one called towards the mystical and impossible. I love the idea of quirky characters and spooky vibes and getting to the Halloween narrative.

Basically, I feel tugged every which way! And it’s nice to have so many ideas and interests but it’s also dizzying and distracting.

So what do you do when you’re creatively confused, like me? Here’s a few ideas that I hope might help me and you if you need it.

Work on many

If you have a lot of time or energy, maybe working on all of your projects at the same time could work for you. Maybe you could draw up a rota. Monday and Tuesday for project X, Wednesday to Friday project Y, then the weekends for project Z. That could work! I tried that earlier in the year but one project took over – which is okay!

You may want or need a tracker for each project to know where you’re at and how much you’ve worked on each.

Plot and decide

Maybe you could try plotting out each story idea (doesn’t need to be a detailed plot) then see which story feels the most exciting. Usually, one takes more of your attention so maybe you can decide to focus on that one for now and then change projects only if it doesn’t feel like the right one in the end.

Mood write

Maybe you could allow your mood and energy to dictate what you work on each day. Feeling energetic and playful? Write the epic middle grade fantasy. In your feelings today? Write the contemplative young adult contemporary. Feeling romantic? Write the adult romance! It’s that simple. Different ideas feel good at different times so work on what fits your mood or energy levels.

Take a break

Maybe you need some time away from writing and creating all together. This time away (a day, week, month…) could provide the space needed to clear your head. You also may find you miss one project over another and that will be the information you need to know which story calls to you the most right now. The answers will come to you in the space and the quiet.

Finish first

This one requires the discipline to finish whatever you started first before allowing yourself to write the next thing! Don’t get distracted by shiny new projects. Write the ideas that come for the new story, but don’t give in and write that one until you’re done with the first.

Either way, it’s okay to be confused. It’s okay to be unsure and lost as a creator. There’s ways around it! It’s normal. Good luck. Let me know if you tried any of these and how they played out for you.

Sincerely,

S. xx