Reclaiming creativity

[vaneramos]

A new acquaintance in a fiction writing forum associated with Freelance Success mentioned a book, The War of Art, by Steven Pressfield, supposedly one of the best for writers dealing with creative blocks. That brought up some important thoughts I don't know whether I have ever actually written, recorded or spoken. For people here who have known me a long time, this may be especially meaningful.

In 2005 I started taking a new medication for anxiety and depression. It made me better, but I lost inspiration for writing fiction and poetry, practically anything. Since then I have worked to reclaim my creativity. Starting to write for magazines last year, working to deadline again after 17 years out of the field, I proved to myself I still have dedication and ability. I hope more fiction writing will follow. It involves relearning how to operate in an altered emotional landscape. When I was younger, writing kept me alive through the worst times. Now it is not an emotional imperative but a choice, a kind of moral act. "War of Art" makes sense to me.

Comments

hmm...

[inishglora.livejournal.com]

Interesting. I have had a similar block, as you no doubt remember, but not due to medication. I still don't really know what caused/causes it, other than pernicious perfectionism. My supplies and materials are all put away in storage, including dyes sealed in their jars and kept away from light which reduces their efficacy; cartons and boxes of emptied-out shells wrapped in tissue, etc. etc. etc.

I've thought of just starting over, literally, unpacking everything and setting it out on the workspace, and play with color and design as though I had never done the work before. It may be having all the books of designs and motifs for reference is setting myself up for failure because it all paralyzes me with indecision and inadequacy.

Thanks for the tip. I'll definitely look for this book.

Re: hmm...

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

I do remember, and hope you can find the way to wax creative again.

I put Taras Horodetsky on Pinterest and the pin has been popular!
http://pinterest.com/pin/99501472989465613/