Creativity can be a bitch. It waxes and wanes on its own schedule, coming and going according only to its whims. You’re going to have good weeks, and you’re going to have bad weeks. That’s just how it works. When either one occurs, all you can do is conform to the ups and downs, doing what you can to adapt to the natural rhythms of productivity and effectiveness. That’s part of producing good writing, as it is a part of creating any piece of art.
However, I don’t mean to imply we have no control over the crazy patterns. In fact, there’s a good deal I find I can do to influence them. Good sleep and good food give me energy. Exercise calms me down. A walk in the woods grounds me. And travel gives me motivation. Alcohol seemed to work well for Hemingway. Whatever floats your boat.
It’s the travel one that’s sticking out to me today — having just returned from two weeks in London. I took some time off, explored a foreign (awesome) city, and now have come back to my desk excited, motivated, and operating with broadened horizons. I feel both more energized to produce some great writing, and more grounded to ensure it’s properly kickass. It’s win-win for both me and my clients.
The point? It’s not necessarily that you have to jump on an international flight tomorrow (though I do recommend it). It’s to encourage you to find a little spark in your own creative process. I’m confident that after you do, you’ll come back to your writing — or whatever your current project — better off for it.
YOUR INPUT: Is there any small tricks, or big picture alterations you do to jumpstart your creativity? Any cool things you do to summon the magic creative fairy?
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