The Agony Of Creativity As A Writer

Creativity is a fickle friend.

One day she provides endless inspiration, the next, she's nowhere to be found.

As writers, we rely on her gifts to fill the blank page. But, there are many obstacles that can block creativity's flow.

In this little diddy below, I'll share some practical tips to avoid common creativity killers. We'll offer advice to keep those creative juices flowing smoothly, no matter what challenges arise.

So brew a hot cuppa Joe, sharpen your pencil, and get ready to gently coax your muse out from hiding. With the right approach, you can create an environment where inspiration can thrive.

Got social anxiety?

Get over it.

Who cares what those armchair critics think anyway? They wouldn't know good writing if it punched them in the face, which it will if you keep at it.

Don't let fear of criticism stop you from creating.

Drive on, and drive hard. You won't get the satisfaction of seeing your work in print if you don't.

Afraid of failure?

Join the club, my homie.

Every writer lives in fear of producing utter crap. But you can't let that stop you from putting words on the page. As long as you keep writing, you haven't failed yet.

Keep writing through the fear of failure.

Even when you think it's all bad, keep going. You never know what gems of inspiration may emerge in the coming pages.

Distracted by the ceaseless chatter of modern life?

Yeah, we all are.

Tune it out. Let the idiots drone on about nothing. You've got poetry to write. Let them have their mundane lives. You've got something important to say.

Shut out distractions and focus on your craft.

The alternative is too horrible to consider. Keep your inner critic quiet, turn off the noise and write!

Stuck in a Rut?

Shake things up.

Try something new. Experiment. Break your routines once in a while. Surprise yourself.

Break out of ruts by trying new things.

For example, when the ditch seems deep, try writing in a different genre or experiment with alternate forms of storytelling. Get away from the desk and take your ideas for a walk in the park. You never know what inspiration may be waiting out there!

Your inner critic nagging you?

Tell him to stuff it.

Don't let that judgmental jerk kill your mojo. Create first, criticize later.

The world wants to put you in a box. To judge you by somebody else's meaningless categories. But you're too much of a renegade for that. Blaze your own trail. Write from the depths of your tattered soul.

Kill perfection

The belief that you need to be perfect before you can get started will crush your soul before you even begin.

Nobody's perfect, and nobody has to be. Your story is yours alone. Write it like no one else ever could, flaws and all.

Embrace your creative powers and share your stories with the world.

Something, anything, is better than doing nothing because you're stuck trying to be perfect.

The final word

Find others who will nurture that creative fire within you.

Say adios to the naysayers holding you back. Embrace the struggle. Endure the hardship. And maybe, if the muse is with you, you'll produce something worthwhile. But even if you don't, at least you gave it your best damn shot.

No matter what, keep writing.

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