Insecure Writers' Support Group (IWSG) is a
really awesome meme that you should be doing along with the rest of us
writers. Unless you truly are happy with your writing and don't feel the
need to vent about your insecurities because they don't exist for you. But, really.... Don't they?
IWSG is hosted by Captain Ninja Alex at his blog, Alex J. Cavanaugh.
IWSG is hosted by Captain Ninja Alex at his blog, Alex J. Cavanaugh.
So, it's time for IWSG once again. This post reflects my insecurity from last month's IWSG post, which was all about how insecure I am about being a slow writer.
But, this time I think I may figured out why I'm so slow. I've been looking back on my writing habits for the past few years or so, and it looks very much like my creativity goes around in cycles. It means I have periods of time when I'm able to sit and write for a few months without much trouble. But, then I will always lapse into an ebb of creativity that lasts for about the same length of time.
I think I can safely say I'm going through a dry spell right now, but it will pass, and the creativity will flow again soon enough. I'm putting the writing on the back-burner for now and getting little things done while I wait for this dry spell to pass, like chores, editing other people's work, etc. I'm really very accepting of this now, even if I wish my creativity flowed all the time. But, that's just how my mind works. Can't control it!
Have any of you ever felt like your creativity comes and goes in cycles? I'd be interested in hearing if more authors and writers experience something like this, too.
There's a season for all things. I go through the same thing.
ReplyDeleteAnd your introduction to the IWSG made me chuckle. You tell them!
@Alex: Thanks, Alex! Glad to know you go through this, too.
DeleteI've always been a terribly slow writer. Always have and always will be. It's just my nature. I understand about the cycles though. Sometimes I'm really slow and have to find ways to get myself started again.
ReplyDelete@Ken: Thanks for commenting! It's nice to know other authors find they slow down sometimes.
DeleteYes, creativity definitely comes and goes. There are days when (as the cliche goes) the characters are talking to me non-stop, and days when they don't want to say a word. Then I'm at the store, or at the movies, and suddenly an idea hits. We just have to materialize on the most creative moments, I think.
ReplyDeleteNice visiting your blog.
Silvia @
SilviaWrites
@Silvia: I agree. We have to leap on those moments when our creativity is awake and alive. It simply doesn't stay awake forever.
DeleteI don't have dry spells that are cyclic like that, for me it's more if I gave too much to my writing yesterday, I just don't have it in me today. When the well is empty, it's empty.
ReplyDelete@Melanie: I've experienced that sort of thing before, too. If I'm writing way too much in any given day, or time period, I get burned out just afterward and need time off to recharge.
DeletePoss Dupe: I do the same thing. I always need some down time after finishing a project. Recharge :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from Shout with Emaginette
@Emaginette: People will usually experience the need to recharge after using up a lot of creative fuel. In my case, the cycles happen regardless of the fuel being used or not.
DeleteInteresting concept. How did you discover that pattern--through a journal? I'm a big fan of taking breaks to refresh and renew, and maybe your down times are more about restoration than dry spells. I have some ebb and flow for sure.
ReplyDelete@Jennifer: I just remember--no need for a journal. I do wonder if my down times are the need to restore creative energy lost, but it seems I've still lapsed into ebbs even when not writing much during my flow times. I really can't be sure right now. I will have to figure it out!
DeleteI'm glad you've been able to channel your time not writing into something productive. I think you're right that we probably follow the same kind of writing patterns. I've found it harder to come to terms with my slow periods. I spend all that time worrying about not writing when I should be doing what you do and concentrating on chores and other things that are equally important. Sometimes we get so caught up in needing to write that we forget there are other important things in life as well.
ReplyDelete@Lan: I know it's so hard to accept those times when we can't make ourselves write and we need to be writing, or at least we think we do. I'm just trying to accept it because I have no control over it. There's no point in fighting it if it's a losing battle. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em! :D
DeleteI think creativity can ebb and flow. Plus, I often think you have to refill the well, so to speak.
ReplyDelete@Cherie: Both are right and probably happen to every writer. Everyone can spend so much time writing that they burn out, but I wonder just how cyclical creativity is when one is not burning out their writing. It seems that it works this way for me, at least.
DeleteGreat post! I think acknowledging the cycles that naturally happen is key to being able to navigate them successfully.
ReplyDeleteSarah Allen
(From Sarah, With Joy)
@Sarah: I think so, too! I'll make good use of them for sure.
DeleteWell, I hope by now you're out of your dry spell and that your creative cycle is in full swing! I know my creativity comes and goes, but I think it has to do mostly with what's going on in my life. The more crazy and stressful my rl is, the more it stifles my creativity.
ReplyDelete@Elise: Sadly, I still haven't recouped my creativity just yet. I'm sure it'll be a month or two, and I'm just trying to get other necessary things done in the meantime....
DeleteI agree that stress completely stifles my creativity, too! It's so dependent upon my mood, which kind of sucks when you want to be able to write, ya know?