Love this, and stunningly accurate. I'd maybe expand the exhaustion one, to being induced not only by the *process* of doing the work (lsleeplessness, etc) but also by having finished and poured so much of *oneself* into it. Once heard the novelist Richard Ford say in a talk, I think during the Q and A, that he'd end up needing medical care for a week after finishing each novel. I didn't get it then, but do now. It's so different from the ordinary tiredness after intense bouts of less inwards kinds of writing, eg academic articles.
It’s funny — I’ve had that too, after intense bouts of teaching or working. But the exhaustion after creative writing feels qualitatively different. Like it’s depleting a different set of internal resources. Saved the essay, it’s really great!
It's like you looked inside my brain and laid out all of my experiences in a list. Which is reassuring... we're all alike! And depressing: why can't I have an original reaction or feeling?
Well yeah, you torturing yourself about not having reactions is in itself an original reaction. At least in my opinion. Of course you could always spice it up by doing something crazy like yell your frustration at a wall, or throw some rubbish at passer-by's. Then it would guarantee originality I suppose?
Does it happen to you that inspiration hits, you have a clear picture of what you should write about and when you get the pen and the paper you cannot find the words?
Oh the terrible doubt... how many things would get accomplished if we could just remove that gap between vision and execution! What starts forming in our mind like an inspiring idea can die before it even gets a chance to materialise as doubt will convice us it's utter rubbish not worth seeing the light of the day. Glad it wasn't your case and you managed to share this before doubt crept in.
I've painstakingly learned over the years that if there was one thing my instinct wasn't good at, it was to judge whether something was good or terrible right after making it. So now, I just move on as fast as possible to the next and try not to overthink
Inspiration, occurrence: “less frequent than desired” 😂😂 what a treat it would be if inspiration could be ordered when it suited us rather than when it LEAST suits… like 3am 😴😅
Wow, I felt all of these yesterday, with three of my not-yet-released-pieces.
Two are related and the other one completely different. The one that is different is written, ready to go, and will probably go through one more re-read right before it gets posted.
Another one has been restarted, with the old version still in existence, sitting in limbo, wondering if it will become an eventual behind-the-scenes post.
The third one will probably get the same treatment as the second one because with those two I still have time to register, apply, and go through the steps that you just wrote.
Now, if you will kindly step out of my head until daybreak my time, I need to go to sleep, maybe…
Also, thank you for writing out the stages! It was quite a refreshing read!
Interesting perspective about editing. I feel a bit like this with watching work that I admire a lot during the creative process. I find that it's counterproductive rather than inspiring
Love this, and stunningly accurate. I'd maybe expand the exhaustion one, to being induced not only by the *process* of doing the work (lsleeplessness, etc) but also by having finished and poured so much of *oneself* into it. Once heard the novelist Richard Ford say in a talk, I think during the Q and A, that he'd end up needing medical care for a week after finishing each novel. I didn't get it then, but do now. It's so different from the ordinary tiredness after intense bouts of less inwards kinds of writing, eg academic articles.
Yes, when I finish a film project I usually get sick straight away. I think the adrenaline mostly keeps up going in such cases
It’s funny — I’ve had that too, after intense bouts of teaching or working. But the exhaustion after creative writing feels qualitatively different. Like it’s depleting a different set of internal resources. Saved the essay, it’s really great!
It's like you looked inside my brain and laid out all of my experiences in a list. Which is reassuring... we're all alike! And depressing: why can't I have an original reaction or feeling?
Haha, it sounds like you are having an original reaction and feeling :)
wait what just happened
What's up?
the original reactions and feelings apparently!
Well yeah, you torturing yourself about not having reactions is in itself an original reaction. At least in my opinion. Of course you could always spice it up by doing something crazy like yell your frustration at a wall, or throw some rubbish at passer-by's. Then it would guarantee originality I suppose?
original or not, it sounds awfully tempting...
Brilliant. Feels like a poster series we should hang up at our desk as a reminder of when to let go, keep going, and feel carried along.
Thanks Lani.
This is poetry! And also funny, but true.
Thanks Imola!
Does it happen to you that inspiration hits, you have a clear picture of what you should write about and when you get the pen and the paper you cannot find the words?
Oh yeah, all the time!
Oh the terrible doubt... how many things would get accomplished if we could just remove that gap between vision and execution! What starts forming in our mind like an inspiring idea can die before it even gets a chance to materialise as doubt will convice us it's utter rubbish not worth seeing the light of the day. Glad it wasn't your case and you managed to share this before doubt crept in.
I've painstakingly learned over the years that if there was one thing my instinct wasn't good at, it was to judge whether something was good or terrible right after making it. So now, I just move on as fast as possible to the next and try not to overthink
The best approach by far and one I hope one day I can get good at!
Inspiration, occurrence: “less frequent than desired” 😂😂 what a treat it would be if inspiration could be ordered when it suited us rather than when it LEAST suits… like 3am 😴😅
Or when the kids are finally dressed and we step into the corridor of the building......
Classic 😂
I need some more writing Breakthrough
Tell me about it.
Wow, I felt all of these yesterday, with three of my not-yet-released-pieces.
Two are related and the other one completely different. The one that is different is written, ready to go, and will probably go through one more re-read right before it gets posted.
Another one has been restarted, with the old version still in existence, sitting in limbo, wondering if it will become an eventual behind-the-scenes post.
The third one will probably get the same treatment as the second one because with those two I still have time to register, apply, and go through the steps that you just wrote.
Now, if you will kindly step out of my head until daybreak my time, I need to go to sleep, maybe…
Also, thank you for writing out the stages! It was quite a refreshing read!
haha will do
Sounds like quite a ride the eight stages of creation. ~~
It certainly is :)
...wow.
I suddenly feel like I do actually create. At least the stages are the same, or almost the same, or "does it matter"
Thank you, Remy:)
🙌
An insightful and creative post. Loved it.
Interesting perspective about editing. I feel a bit like this with watching work that I admire a lot during the creative process. I find that it's counterproductive rather than inspiring