How to revive your creativity
Beating writer's block isn't always easy, but it can be fun
Hello wonderful people!
It’s been a few months since my last post, and I’ll tell you why: I got sick. Then I got sick again, with the flu this time, and it knocked me right down.
My energy vanished.
My brain fogged.
I didn’t want to write.
I didn’t even want to read. <gasp>
Things were beyond serious. My well of creativity had dried up. There was only dust left at the bottom, filled with the desiccated bones of all the weird ideas and awesome worlds that used to be in there.
I guess we could call it writer’s block. For me, it was more like total creativity death.
But I got through it! (Yippee!) If you ever find yourself in a similar dire situation, maybe some of what I did might help you. So here goes…
My five top tips for reviving your creativity
1) Do not panic. Not even a little.
Panic is not at all helpful. Maybe you’ve got a looming deadline (in which case, well done you, you legend!) and you absolutely have to keep creating. Fine. Brew a pot of delicately scented green tea, tell yourself you’re awesome and that it will all work out, and start trying the tips on my list.
If I panic, all my ideas run even further away. It’s like they’re a naughty dog. I have to look in the opposite direction so they think I’m not desperately searching for them, and that’s when they get bored and cheeky and start stalking me instead. So please don’t panic, instead try to:
2) Do something physical that requires very little brain power
There’s a reason we joke that ideas come in the shower. Most of us are able to wash ourselves on autopilot, leaving our mind’s backburner free to work on our story problems. And suddenly - bazinger - our creativity wins the day. Here’s some things I try when I’m blocked:
Walking (though it took weeks before I was well enough to walk anywhere. Be kind to yourself!)
Running
Washing dishes/Cleaning floors/bathroom/whatever
If my block is small, this step will usually fix it. The block I just had was monolithic, but this step is something I kept on doing, especially once I was well enough to get out again.
3) Do (non-writing) things that bring you joy
Often my writing rules me. I get a free day at home? I’m going to write. Spare moment? I’ll plot out some ideas.
A lovely thing I do when my creativity deserts me is to relish the beautiful things in my life that I don’t normally find enough time for. I slow down, get in the moment, and connect with people and things I love. I don’t expect or even want to come up with any amazing writing ideas.
This last month or so I spent a lot of time doing things like:
Gardening - I have a native garden that’s flowering its heart out at the moment. So much joy. So many weeds to pull out!
Hanging with my dog
Bird watching
Painting - I spent an afternoon with my amazing family and some canvasses… we just painted whatever we liked and it was fabulous.
Photography - deep in the pit of creative despair, I booked a nature photography course. An afternoon among wildflowers with lovely people? Perfect.
Lego - yes, I rebuilt our Hogwarts castle. Yes, all the pieces had been taken apart and mixed back into our two big tubs. Yes, this was a challenge. And yes, I’m so proud of it!
4) Refill your creative well
Sometimes, this is as simple as reading great books in your genre. Other times, we need to get a bit sneaky so our writer’s block doesn’t know we’re plotting against it. This last month or so, I simply could not find the urge to read any of the kidlit I usually adore… so I branched out. I was still filling that creative well (and indeed, a lot of the things in #3 above were great too) and it really helped.
What did I get up to?
Reading non-fiction - local history books, books on flora and fauna, books of amazing art and photography. I became thoroughly engrossed with Cape Arid by Philippa and Alex Nikulinsky.
Reading not-at-all-similar fiction - I didn’t manage many books during this time, but I did read a few awesome romcoms. I really loved The Stand-In by Lily Chu.
Taking in other people’s (non-writing) creativity - look at art, watch movies… whatever. I watched quite a bit of minecrafting on youtube. They made me laugh. They inspired me with their builds.
Getting in some sneaky (non-writing but like-writing) creativity of your own - I executed a deep dive into Dungeons and Dragons, something I have never played before. Making a character was a lot of fun and the dice are next-level. I’m playing my first game next week - wish me luck!
Getting inspired by other writers - this one I did by fluke, and it worked! I’d booked a day at Perth’s Festival of Fiction months before I got sick. As the day approached I became worried that I wouldn’t enjoy the festival. Worse, would going crush the slowly regrowing creativity inside me? But it was fab. I caught up with friends, met new ones, learnt some cool tips and… got… INSPIRED! Yay!
5) If you can, don’t push yourself
I firmly believe that creativity is an integral part of me. I love thinking up ideas and jotting them down. Maybe sometimes I need to take a break but I have confidence in myself that it will return.
If you don’t have a dastardly deadline, then I recommend you don’t push yourself, don’t agonise, don’t despair. Your creativity well will refill and you’ll be back to writing again.
I know I am! And my super-long period of writer’s block has actually been helpful. I’ve now worked out a solution to the manuscript of my heart, which was filled with far too many words and would’ve required a sequel. I am murdering so many darlings, I’ve shaken out the plot, fixed some characters and I’m having so much fun. Phew!
May your own wells refill with such wonderful creativity :)
Take care everyone,
Heather
PS let me know in the comments if you have something that’s worked for your writer’s block!
I'm sorry you've been unwell, but what a fabulous post it sparked!
All excellent advice xx
Dog walks, beach walks, slow walks, dog conversations, gardening, and, yes, of course, The Shower or The Bath or The Hot Tub (are you a water sign as well?)
Well done for navigating your way back to the sparks. x