I'm linking up with Maddy at www.writingbubble.co.uk to review where I'm at with my writing at the moment. It won't be pleasant but it may help to sort out some stuff in my head.
What is inspiration and where does it come from? More importantly, why isn't it sticking me at the moment? I'm not getting any of those lovely sparks that precede a good story idea. There are too many unfinished ideas, not fully formed and going nowhere in notebooks and on my hard drive. I feel like inspiration will never strike again and I'm doomed to re-hash old stuff until it's so stale even I can't bear to read it.
I've been writing a few things around writing prompts and links but this is less than satisfactory. I want to be stuck by the muse, to have a wonderful idea for a story that has me so absorbed in my writing that I forget to eat. There are a few pieces of a sci-fi type story that I wrote as a result of prompts which I could work on but I'm not sure where it's going or even if I can write sci-fi - it's not a genre I like or read so I don't know why I wrote that proto story. It might evolve into fantasy but I'm still unsure of it.
All this makes me doubt my meagre abilities as a writer. If I truly was a writer then I'd be able to write, to find inspiration, to plough through the 'writer's block' which is what this must be.
So what's the answer? If inspiration won't strike should I try to force it? Is all this navel gazing part of the problem?
All I have are questions; now I need to find some answers.
I don't think you're feeling any different to most writer's-everyone experiences the slump. So you're not alone :) It's a bit tricky to negotiate but I think the answer is to find creative outlets anywhere you can to inspire the muse back again. I try drawing, photography, going for a walk etc to jump start things. It doesn't always work as it depends how full my head is off other stuff, but often it's successful.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right, I need to do something else and not stress about the writing too much for a while. Thanks for your comment.
DeleteI think navel gazing is part of being a writer! It's so frustrating when your muse goes on holiday. Some would say write regardless and at some point inspiration will strike again, others would say take a bit of time off, don't stress and don't force it - inspiration will strike when you least expect it! I've tried both approaches to writer's block - you WILL come unstuck at some point. Don't doubt yourself. Keep going... although I would say follow your passion where possible! What do you love reading? Write in that genre! Good luck! Thanks for linking to #WhatImWriting and keep us posted on how things go. xx
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment Maddy and thanks for hosting #WhatImWriting as a place where us frustrated writers can chat. I hope that next week I'll have something positive to share. I agree that I should write what I enjoy reading - my sci-fi story may need an edit!
DeleteDon't waste energy on doubting yourself - everyone goes through this! Sounds to me like it might help to step back a bit - have you ever done a course like the Artist's Way? I've found it really useful in generating ideas and getting clear about what I want to work on. Good luck anyway.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting Rebecca. I think taking a step back and not putting too much pressure on myself is the way to go. I'm not good with stress and I need to keep a sense of perspective.
DeleteI enjoyed your post and can feel your frustration. I've been there too! The trick is to just keep writing. Finish some things. Start some other things. It's all good if it gets you writing. Here are a couple of quotes that may be helpful:
ReplyDeleteThose who work only when the Muse strikes them make little progress. (William V. Dunning)
and:
The Muse visits during the process of creation, not before. Don't wait for her. Start alone. (Roger Ebert)
So basically, just write...
Wishing you all the best. :-)
Thank you for your comment and the quotes - I guess I'm guilty of over-thinking it and I need to keep writing regardless. Even if I don't produce anything worth keeping I'll be exercising my writing muscles and reminding myself that I am a fledgling writer after all!
DeleteI really enjoyed reading your post. Sounds like you need to step back and do something else for a while, everything will come back x
ReplyDeleteYes, a step back was needed. Feeling more positive now and mulling over some new ideas - nothing concrete but bubbling away. Thanks for commenting Susan, much appreciated.
DeleteI think being out of routine can throw you, but sometimes a break can do the world of good! It's not easy to find that balance and get the inspiration is it?! But everyone is right, we all go through it.
ReplyDeleteIt helps to know that it's temporary and every writer has to suffer it at some point! I'm trying to get back into it and so far so good, ideas starting to form again. Thanks for your comment Nicola, always good to hear your words of wisdom.
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