During my thirty-year career, I’ve only really suffered through two periods where I thought I’d lost my ability to tell stories. Does that mean I’m always full of ideas? Heck, no! But, to my mind, not having a shiny new idea and feeling like you have nothing left, are two different things.
The first time was relatively brief, and thankfully I snapped out of it when my husband agreed that I was probably past it. It was several years ago, and we were lying on a beach when I voiced my fears. When he agreed he actually shocked me back. I was so mad that he hadn’t sympathized that it truly gave me the boot in the pants I needed.
The next one wasn’t so easy, and it was much worse. I was in a bad way. In fact I’d almost forgotten how bad. However, just yesterday I was mooching around Goodreads and found a response I’d given to the question of how I deal with writer’s block.
My answer, at the time, took me right back to that darker period and as I read the words, I wondered if they might be helpful for someone else. So, here it is – a regurgitation of my take on how to cope in those dark times.
I said…
There’s usually a reason for writers to suddenly feel unable to create. My take is often that reason is just plain creative exhaustion which can also be exacerbated by other stresses in your life – and the ‘girls in the basement’ who send up all those fabulous ideas are simply calling for time out. They can’t work in a vacuum, just like you can’t.
So, first of all – do that. Give yourself permission to do other stuff; to take time out. I baked, took up knitting again, walked on the beach – joined some groups that got me talking about different things
Some of my writer’s group at a retreat day we had at Nobby’s Lighthouse a couple of years ago .
One thing I still did though, was continue to hang out with my author friends. Was it difficult when they were babbling on about their works and word counts? Sure! Did I feel like a failure? Sure did.
And yes, there were tears; tears of sadness, of frustration.
But gradually, the girls in the basement started back. They worked slowly at first – and here’s where still attending writer’s group meetings helped – because then I found myself becoming more involved (again) in various writing discussions. I listened to their ideas and would mull over what I’d do if it was my story. And the girls downstairs gradually began to respond.
our most recent writers meeting. Not everyone could be present.
Slowly, slowly I could feel my creative energy returning until one day a story just screamed at me to be told. I was nervous, thought I’d run out of steam at the first hurdle – but I didn’t.
What did I learn? To pace myself. To not push, push all the time. To make time for other people and other things. All in all, it was a win-win because I hadn’t just rested the girls downstairs – I was now nurturing them again. And for a long while I’d got into a habit of forgetting to do that…
Good luck, and take heart if you’re suffering. It will pass if you just give it time. Be kind to yourself.
Thank you for hanging out with me again. I always appreciate it.
Don’t forget I’m still looking for reviewers, not just for my current book but for the entire series. I am looking to build a dedicated review team and will happily hand over an ebook copy to genuine reviewers, so of you love to read and have time… Contact me here, or leave a message in the comments and I’ll contact you.
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Big hugs, Kaz xxx