The creative process

The creative process is sort of like blood—there are a few set types out there but your creative process (like blood) is very much your own. Even more, you can’t function without blood, much like you cannot write without some form of creative process. And knowing your own process can help you dig yourself out of a hole when the creative blood stops flowing.

For me (and for most), the process begins with inspiration. Mundane things have multiple meanings, which blossom ideas for stories. Music orchestrates a scene or a character. Think of social interactions, the weather, the news, some random discarded candy wrapper on the sidewalk—what does it mean, really? Inspiration can come from literally anything with an open mind. And that is generally what happens to me whether I like it or not.

Now then. When I have enough inspiration, I take off with an idea and do something about it. For example, say I get hit with a short story idea that comes to me whilst anxiously googling symptoms of some random illness I probably assume I have. I sprint off with this idea, vaguely flesh out a few characters, and begin writing. The creative blood flows through my writer veins like a river, creating this wonderful feeling of joy and productivity!

Until the blood clots. Roadblocks pop up like they tend to do. Say I didn’t have a great way to establish the plot and the characters weren’t developed enough, which would make the scenes entirely boring. Everything would then come to a screeching halt of disappointment.

But that’s still part of the creative process. When this occurs (and it always does), I have two options: continue working on it or take a break and walk away. If I’m working on my current novel, I usually grit my teeth and work through the obstacles by drafting some serious side-work that often leads to swearing, stalling, and scratching things out. I do all that because it’s important to me and ranks high on my list of priorities. If it didn’t, I would walk away from the idea or at least put it in a drawer for later.

Recognizing when it’s time to shift gears in order to replenish the creative lifeblood is a major part of the process. Being insightful with your creativity will help you regenerate that creative blood, even if you have to pause and step back a moment. Forgive yourself for admitting, “I have no idea what I’m doing and now I’m exhausted from spending all my energy on that thing that seemed like a winner but wasn’t.” It’s okay. That’s all part of the process. Not every idea is going to take off and, let’s be honest, some shouldn’t. It took me some time to understand that loud and clear.

So that brings us back to square one again—inspiration. Something usually occurs to peak the ol’ interest again, even if it’s just a crumpled piece of paper in a wire garbage can at a cemetery (apparently I’m very inspired by garbage). Whatever it may be, trust that the blood clot will work itself out so things may begin to flow again.

**Disclaimer

If you have an actual blood clot, go see a doctor. I don’t think that stuff usually works itself out.