Glittertrap

There are many obstacles that a person (or very creative Labrador) faces during the creative process, however, Writer's Block affects me the least. The concept sounds unnerving, especially if writing is one's livelihood. Although there are issues deciding what to write, ideas typically flow faster than I can put them down. My greatest challenge is determining which ideas are best for me.

The majority of ideas lead directly to 'Crappy Writing,' like a misprinted game of Chutes and Ladders with no way to win. These ideas produce work that is sub-par: intelligible but unbearably flawed. Or it is writing that is so uncompelling it feels like the diary of a houseplant: "The vent blew on me again today. It smelled like last-weeks meatloaf. So did that fly who landed on on of my leaves. I hope the sun will rise tomorrow."

Although it may seem obvious, bad ideas are a problem for me because they are so alluring and seductive at the start. These little traps gleam in the mind like a rhinestone doorstop, captivating one's attention and making all other ideas seem mundane. Gradually, though, it becomes clear that although plausible as a Twitter post or bumper sticker, the idea lacks appreciable substance for any number of reasons.

Therefore an important goal is to identify bad ideas as soon as possible in my process. Otherwise, I end up putting in a lot of effort but with little impact. Its highly discouraging - the creative equivalent of homework - and makes me want to go be a lumberjack or sun-gun tester. 

Here are a few of my methods to help avoid banging my head on the keyboard. Feel free to steal:

1. Outline

I find that this must be Step #1 for anything worth editing. As a parallel, when making a recipe, it's far less frustrating if you make a list and check what you have beforehand.

2. Do not write tired 

Can I? Yes. Should I? Well, my last late night idea involved a mechanic who invented anesthetic for cars. So no, I shouldn't.

3. Put it down

Creativity and momentum can look strangely similar. And creative fire is important, but so is creative dirt. Put your work down (onto the dirt) and see how much you want to pick it up again after you have a sandwich or coffee or samba lessons. 

4. Read it aloud.

Sometimes hearing what is being conveyed helps put it into a different context and lets you recognize when something is dull or derivative or dumb.

5. STFO

Yes, starting over is often the best path to success. What do you do when you mistype your password? Exactly. 

6. Delete it

I do this a lot. It feels bad for a moment but in a way you are freeing your mind for the next adventure. Sometimes I symbolically set my editing copy on fire. I imagine this is what happens to most of my query letters, too.

The ultimate aim here is managing motivation. I set myself up for success by monitoring my own creative output and learning when it will be best. I enjoy the inspirational moment, yet try and plan out how it will develop. But perhaps most importantly, I let myself move on, and avoid being discouraged, dragged down by a poor or poorly executed idea. Hopefully my next idea will involve something more substantive and durable.