Recently, I've found myself procrastinating on fiction writing with nonfiction projects. Seems oddly backwards to me.
Still working on the first of four short stories I need to finish by the beginning of January. Unfortunately, I can't force creativity the way I can force academic research and article writing. A lot of people use the term "writer's block," but I don't buy into that nonsense. It's not a block. It's an unexplored forest you need to navigate through. Right now, I'm still wavering in the middle of the forest, holding my lantern aloft, standing at a crossroads and wondering which trail to take...
I've been reading a book called "The Imagineering Workout" by the Disney Imagineers. It's full of incredible exercises for the imagination. Creativity isn't a stream to tap or a divinely bestowed gift (although, sometimes it can feel like both of those). It's an ability that can be honed and toned, just like any other.
Not to say that I don't have a muse. I do, and she's been good to me. Even better, now that I prod her along. There is a saying... "God helps those who help themselves." Well, I believe that muses inspire those who inspire themselves! Now that I'm standing at the dark crossroads, I'm doing all sorts of stuff to jump start my story: sketching maps, writing lists, watching movie clips, automatic writing. It's much more fun, much more productive, and much healthier than pulling out my hair!
Love, fangs, and fur. :)=
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