When the Creative Juices just don’t flow
Posted By Kathleen David on April 10, 2008
I consider myself a pretty creative person. I’m also a decent problem solver when working on a project. I tend to try to work through all the potential problems in my head before I really get into the actual nuts and bolts of what I am making. So I think a lot before I do anything.
Right now I have a couple of things I need to do. I know how to do them but I am not doing them and I haven’t a clue why. Well I have a few but none that really make any sense given my situation.
It is funny that if I were writing a story, I would just push through this. But sewing can’t be pushed because in that direction lay madness or a lot of frustration when things don’t turn out properly. Paper crafts when pushed can result in a lot of materials being wasted. I do know that part of creating is making mistakes and I have made enough of them. My parts box speaks to that.
I think I might just pull out some fur and work on an idea that I have been mulling in my head now for a while. It probably won’t turn into anything cool but it might shake out some of the cobwebs in my brain. Or maybe I’ll make some more eyeballs to use at NYCC. Something simple that will possibly unblock the dam on my creative juices and get them flowing again.
So what do you do when creativity is elusive?
I am grateful for things that get my brain back in working order.
When I’m not able to summon creativity, I do housework or read or watch TV. Housework (like washing dishes and such) has a way of inducing a zen-like state, and reading or TV watching can be inspirational in terms of restarting my own track.
If I’m stuck for an idea, I play with other stories. When I’m editing video if I’m stuck for a good way to put something together, sometimes I watch it backwards. If I’m really desperate sometimes I’ll draw, or play my guitar, or shoot baskets if it’s warm, all while talking to myself.
If I’m stuck for an idea, I play with other stories. When I’m editing video if I’m stuck for a good way to put something together, sometimes I watch it backwards. If I’m really desperate sometimes I’ll draw, or play my guitar, or shoot baskets if it’s warm, all while talking to myself.
I put on head-clearing music (Pink Floyd, Enigma, New Age Stuff, even Gregorian Chants), and switch modes. If writing is the issue, I switch to sewing. If sewing is the issue, move to clay. Even switching projects can help – while totally stuck on part 3 of something, I wrote most of part 4 while waiting for the proper inspiration. A long shower is great,too, because that’s the only place I’m ever undisturbed enough (and awake enough) to let thoughts flow. A tight deadline helps, as I’m a horrific procrastinator. I’ve written two long pieces over the last year, sewed two quilts, a box of doll clothes, and several costumes in order to avoid writing something that’s deeply outlined and should be a breeze, if I would just sit my derriere in the chair and do it!
This might be sacrilege to some, and it certainly was to my second creative writing professor in college, but when I write I never have a written outline. Part of the reason is when I come up with a story, it’s pretty much whole and I have a really long memory, and the bigger part is I have a REALLY hard time changing something once it’s written down. So, if I have something written in an outline, and it’s not working, for some weird reason I can’t change it.
i was going to suggest a shower….i’ve had some really good ideas and figured things out while i’ve been in the shower (esp washing my hair…your eyes are closed what else is there to but think?) or brushing my teeth.
But what i’d like to know…what are those eyes going to be doing at NYCC??? I haven’t seen anything about a puppet workshop…or are you going to have a table???? Clue us in Kathleen!
I’d actually like to see some those dolls and things up close and the only place i can make it to is NYCC.
jeane
Hmmm. A lot of times when this happens to me it is a sign that my body is out of whack and I would come down with a cold or virus.