Regardless of nomenclature, writer, editor, publicist, publisher, blogger, author, artist or copywriter, we all experience those void in creativity and lack of energy moments whereby we just can’t generate the thoughts necessary for publishing post-worthy content. And, make no mistake, I’m not talking lack of time here because well, let’s be honest, if the creative juices are flowing, we’ll disregard time (and even stay up all night long) just to publish said thoughts and ideas.
Like Jonathan Morrow mentions in his thought provoking, eye opening article, Is Blogging Keeping You Poor, we’re all limited to the amount of actual creative energy we have on hand (obviously some of us exhibit more than others but, still, we are all naturally prone to burning out). And, if you can’t tell from some of the (huge) gaps between my blog postings, I’ll be the first to tell you, I, too, have creative spurts that come and go. When they are buzzing, I’ll blog like it’s my birthday. When they are not, I’ll drop off the face of the blog like it’s my business. It happens to all of us. So, what can we do?
A Couple Remedies To Help Fuel Creativity
- Put down the computer, the note pad and the writing utensils.
As strange as it may sound at first, getting out of that writer’s slump can be done by simply walking away and focusing your mind on something other than writing. When we ease our attention and discontinue the struggle for ideas, our mind and body will naturally resort back to creative mode, when the time is right. - Find what you are passionate about and surround yourself with said passionate content and/or experiences.
Seriously. The juices flow the most when we are passionate. After all, don’t we tend to cover material that we are passionate with? - Read a book, a magazine, a blog post or, better yet, a Twitter update.
When you can’t think of another sentence’s worth, try reading through some otherwise random content so as to help bring new thoughts, ideas, recollections, points of view and vocabulary into your brainstorming. Most of the time, you’ll discover something new that you’d like to write about. - Skim through any and all of your previous postings and drafts
By referencing back to your older articles or drafts, you will often analyze your content and notice that your perception has since changed. Perfect. Get those new thoughts out on paper and continue drafting until you feel the flow, per say. - Take a vacation
Funny enough, sometimes we just need to break for a bit longer than the first suggested remedy mentioned above calls for. Yep, totally freeing yourself from all related blogging influences, especially including your (normal) blogging environment will totally help you to get that blogging drive back, sooner than you’d normally expect. In fact, I’d be willing to bet that while on said vacation, you’ll be enlightened and inclined to get out the notebook and begin writing again.
What about you? What works for you when you experience, for lack of better words, writer’s block?
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Nice post Scott. Its funny that I read this today. I had a great lunch with one of my new favorite exec/entrepreneur/vcs up in SF where we discussed creativity and flying. We both agreed that our most creative and productive times are on planes. He travels to New Zealand and Europe regularly - I fly domestic regularly (and have had about 20 flights over 10hrs). Something about the isolation that allows for focus and creativity. My flight home today was amazing and resulting in a fresh flow of thoughts on a few of the most important topics in my life today. So I say, if you are having writers block or a creative drought - BOOK A FLIGHT!
Christian,
Thanks kindly for sharing your reply here, pleasure to have you! And, very well put indeed. You know oddly enough, the last time that I flew (actually to New Orleans for Jazz Fest last late April/early May) I distinctively recall productively brainstorming while waiting to board the flight and then reaching for my laptop once we took off so that I could make note of/jot down the ideas that were running through my mind. Whether it’s like you say, “something about the isolation that allows for focus and creativity” or the fact that you in essence know you’ll be sitting in one spot for the next ‘x’ amount of hours surrounded by strangers so you let your mind race, plane rides definitely have had that affect on me as well!
So there you have it folks, another remedy for fueling creativity straight from Chris Gammill - BOOK A FLIGHT! Thanks Chris, I love it!
PS - Not sure if you heard but, I’m bringing some snacks to this Thursday’s Freelancer Friday’s event at the Blank Spaces office on Wilshire. That means Jambalaya, Blueberry White Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies, White Chocolate Dipped Strawberries, Blue Dew Iced Tea and a few more…snacks! Maybe I’ll see you there.