Out With The Writer’s Block, In With The Creativity!
Posted by Jessica on February 14, 2012
Writer’s block is a terrible thing. I had no idea just how terrible until this past year. I’ve had bouts of it before, a few days of struggling to untangle the words in my brain and release them onto the page in some semblance of order. Still, all it took was for me to walk away for a while, concentrate on something else, and I was able to return to it fresh and raring to go. Not this time. For the whole of 2011, beyond editing Dark is the Sky for my publisher, I’ve hardly written a thing. Oh, I made token stabs at starting new novels, but I simply wasn’t able to commit to any of them.
Frankly, it was one of the worst feelings of my life. I never appreciated how important, essential even, my writing is to my general wellbeing until I couldn’t do it anymore. I won’t go as far as to say I was suffering from depression, but I was certainly depressed. At my lowest ebb, I genuinely wondered whether I would ever write again. A truly terrifying thought.
Then, totally without warning, it happened. A character spoke to me. His name was Chris, and I heard him so clearly it was as if he were actually there in the room with me. At once, I knew several things about him. He was sixteen years old, outwardly cocky to the point of arrogance, inwardly scarred almost beyond endurance from years of sexual abuse. He was practically screaming at me to tell his story. At first, I pushed him away. I mean, I write women’s fiction, right? I can’t suddenly veer off into the entirely unfamiliar genre of young adult novels. I can’t … or can I?
For a while, I avoided confronting the issue. Yep, I’m afraid to say burying my head in the sand is a speciality of mine. But really, what else could I do at this point? I might have a character with an irritating habit of whispering constantly in my ear, but that was all. I didn’t have a premise strong enough to sustain a novel. So, I continued to develop an idea for another adult novel, plodding the familiar path even though I knew deep down my heart wasn’t in it. This is the right thing to do, I assured myself several times a week. Stick to what you know.
Towards the end of January, just a couple of weeks ago, I was still procrastinating when inspiration struck. I’ve rarely felt such a rush of excitement as I did at that moment. It literally set my heart racing. For days afterwards I walked around with a ridiculous grin on my face that must have had my family fearing for my sanity. What did I care? At last I had an idea for a young adult crime novel that would allow me to explore Chris’s story, as well as other forms of abuse, sexual identity and friendship. Well, after that, I couldn’t ignore my muse any longer. This may be completely unlike anything I’ve attempted before, but in the end, I have to listen to my heart.
I’d love for you to subscribe to my updates and accompany me on this writing journey. I’ve no idea how long it will take or where we might end up, and doubtless there will be numerous pitfalls and wrong turns along the way, but I have a feeling I’m going to need your support and encouragement more than ever over the coming months. In return, I hope sharing my experiences will help you in your own writing endeavours, whatever they may be.
Clarissa Draper said,
I love it when inspiration like that strikes. It’s the best feeling in the world. I’ve been doing the 100K in 100 days and so far, no writer’s block.
Jessica said,
Absolutely the best feeling in the world! The 100K in 100 days sounds like a great idea, a bit less intense than NaNoWriMo and more achievable. For me, at any rate. The best of luck with it!
Peggy Strack said,
I was a bit smug about writer’s blog with my first novel. It just flowed out of me. Not so much with the second novel. I found myself stuck on several occasions and I felt like I was walking through mud. All of my ideas for how the plot would unfold didn’t seem right. Then it hit me and what a relief. Writing is amazing. You know when something is working and when it’s not. When it’s not, the waiting game can drive you nuts.
Jessica said,
That’s so true, Peggy. I’ve never had to wait so long for inspiration before, which was what terrified me so much, but I’ve also never been so fired up about a project. I’ve heard it said that the novels that are the hardest to write often turn out to be the best.
carol brill said,
What a wonderful experience when a character materializes fully formed. It happened to me in the early stages of writing my novel, Cape Maybe. On vacation in Florida, I walked by a mailbox with the name(s) Campbell McKee on it. A spirited red headed teen jumped into my head. I couldn’t get back to my computer fast enough to start getting her down on the page. Does not happen with every character, but such a gift when it does
Jessica said,
That’s exactly how it was for me, Carol. This entire scene just popped into my head and I sat glued to the keyboard until I’d got it all down. Of course, it took a while before I had a story to fit the character, but now I have, I’m so excited to get started!
Sandy Nachlinger said,
How exciting for you! I had the same writer’s block experience as you, and I can definitely relate to how devastating that is. I’m so glad we both came through it. Congratulations on taking the plunge into another genre. I’ll look forward to following your blog to see how this character develops. (By the way, I found you through Goodreads’ Women’s Fiction Authors Group “Let’s Share Blogs.”)
Christina Wible said,
My writer’s block comes on as just a failure to put things on paper. I have ideas floating around in my head and they never make it to my fingers. Too lazy to sit at the computer? I don’t know. We all experience writer’s block in different ways and we all find our way out on our own. It’s interesting to hear how other people experience it and cope with it.
Jessica said,
Thanks, Sandy! Yes, it is such a relief when your muse starts talking to you again after months of silence. Good luck with your own writing!
Jessica said,
I was exactly the same, Christina. I had days when I couldn’t get my ideas down on paper, but the ideas were still there in my head. That’s why this particular bout of writer’s block was so scary. I’d never experienced anything like it before. I’m just so glad it’s over.
J.L. Campbell said,
Glad to hear you found your way back, Jessica. Since I write in several different genres, I got over the hurdle of thinking I needed to stay confined to a particular type of story.
Jessica said,
Not as glad as I am, Joy, that’s for sure! You’re right though. Much better not to feel confined by genre, but to go with whatever your heart wants to write at the time.
Leah said,
Jessica, I’ve had my bouts with dry spells and they are no fun. I love that your muse is back! That’s fabulous! Now go write that amazing book so I can read it!
Jessica said,
I’m on it, Leah. Thanks so much for stopping by!
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