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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Wow. So, okay, thing one: When I suggested that your blog had been hijacked, I wasn’t being mean or funny. For some reason, I was getting these spammy posts (I mean, SPAMMY, like, they were about high speed internet, and off-brand drugs and stuff) in my feeds with your name on them. I unsubscribed, otherwise I’d give you the url. I have just resubscribed, so I’ll give more details if I get them. So weird, and so sorry if you thought I was being mean. I never criticize for blog neglect as I am one of the worst offenders in that category.
Second, related to the actual question you asked: I am trying to give myself license to post short, casual posts instead of the overwritten, overplanned, overedited stuff that is my natural product. Hopefully, that will help. Of course, I know I’ve been silent for two weeks already, so I’m clearly still honing my other strategies.
LINDSAY: Huh, that’s odd. I’ll look into the spam stuff. I perceived your comment as an honest reflection of the low-quality content on my blog lately, which I actually agreed with you on — it’s been lacking energy. I didn’t take offense at the comment, and mulling it over helped me reconnect more to the blog’s purpose. I think it’ll help going forward, and I think this latest post is better. Hence the twitter shoutout to you.
Thanks for taking the time to read it over, and leave a comment. I often think that being shorter, and more casual, helps stimulate creativity (like you said). Buying into pressure to sound a certain way, or write up to a certain standard, inevitably takes your focus away from where it should be… on the ideas, and passion you feel for the subject.
I enjoy your blog, and am enjoying reading about your experience across the pond (given I was just there). Keep it up!
I always find myself inspired by new places, even if it’s just around the corner. I currently am finding my self in a bit of a slump and after reading this I took the time to find the (very obvious) reason why. Thanks!
JASON: Great, man. I’m so glad to hear that. Blogging here, it’s my hope that people get more than just the random copywriting tip. This is a great example, even if the effort and work were yours.