Article Title: Writers Block: What is It and How Can One Overcome It (from Creative Writing and Book Publishing Course 1998)?
Author Name: Craig Lock
Category (key words): Writing, creative writing, inspiration, the writing journey, writing course, publishing, book publishing, writing tips, mind, subconscious mind (enough there for now, craig)
Websites:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4
http://goo.gl/vTpjk (and/or http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=la_B005GGMAW4_sr?rh=i%3Abooks&field-author=C...)
https://www.createspace.com/pub/simplesitesearch.search.do?sitesearch_qu... (paperbacks)
and http://www.creativekiwis.com/index.php/books
/
Craig's blogs with thoughts and extracts from various writings are at https://craigsblogs.wordpress.com/2011/09/09/craigs-list-of-blogs-update...
Other Articles (including those on the writing journey) are available at: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/user/15565
http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/user/15565
and http://www.ideamarketers.com/library/profile.cfm?writerid=981
(Personal growth, self help, writing, internet marketing, spiritual, 'spiritual writings' (how 'airey-fairey'), words of inspiration and money management, how boring now, craig!)
Publishing Guidelines:
This article (as with all my articles) may be freely published, electronically or in print.
"We share what we know, so that we all may grow."
*
WRITER'S BLOCK: WHAT IS IT AND HOW CAN ONE OVERCOME IT?
by craig lock
Introduction:
We hope that this short article may be informative and helpful to your e-zine readers, or on your web site. These thoughts were a reply to a question in a literary magazine on how I use my creative imagination (or subconscious mind) to try to overcome writer's block.
*
WRITING AND THE CREATIVE IMAGINATION: HOW TO OVERCOME WRITER'S BLOCK?
"Imagination is greater, more powerful than knowledge."
- Napoleon
Just thought I'd share a few thoughts on how to use the amazing powers of your creative imagination to the fullest in overcoming "writer's block"...
You've heard the term WRITER'S BLOCK? It's when your mind goes blank and you can't get going, no matter how hard you try for words of inspiration. You stare at a blank sheet of paper for hours on end waiting for inspiration... but nothing comes... except the cat with muddy paws walks all over your blank masterpiece. That's just happened to me! You then resort to pulling your hair out (is that why most writers are bald?) or kicking the cat? Is this why most writers are broke paying reparations to the SPCA? Letting you know that I start all my novels with a BASIC PLOT (plan) and don't have much idea how it's all going to end up ("pan out". I don't use techniques, like "mindmapping" and have found that by writing one chapter at a time then simply "letting go", the story simply flows onto the next naturally (at least I think it does!).
When I get "stuck" for a while, I take a long walk along the stunningly beautiful beaches here, which really relaxes me and then the thoughts simply "flow into my head". This takes hold and I get a clear vision of the next small step ahead (always)- through the amazing powers of the subconscious mind , which is where our INSPIRATION comes from..... and this leads, impels (nice word!) us into ACTION.
Where do ideas and inspiration come from? I think it was Thomas Edison (or was it perhaps Einstein?) who once said that ideas come from "outer space". From our own minds and experiences or perhaps occasionally "out of the blue", like when we are relaxed in the shower. Some place way beyond our past experiences and knowledge - it's another higher dimension to our own selves, that people can tap into (the realm of the creative imagination at work, the spiritual, or what is sometimes termed 'creative intelligence').
I study and write quite a bit about the amazing powers of the human mind...and truly believe these "hidden powers" are available to ALL writers, EVERYONE... when they simply relax and trust their intuition. Musicians and "creative people" say they often draw on this creative intelligence through the technique of meditation (or perhaps prayer, if they/you are 'religiously-minded'.
"The human spirit must undergo a metamorphosis and be transformed until it reflects divine qualities." And this process occurs through the subconscious mind (the submerged part, the 90 per cent of the ice-berg which lies below the surface. This is in contrast with the conscious mind, which is far more readily... and easily accessible to us).
N.B: I truly believe we ALL have this amazing power to access the subconscious mind, our creativity, within us (not only writers) and like any skill, it just needs to be developed with practice. The creative imagination can solve any problem you may encounter down the "river of life". USE IT well, as it is your greatest resource and power.
TAP INTO it!
I hope these shared thoughts may help in whatever endeavour you choose (artistic or otherwise), as it does help me move forward daily in my "rather strange" situation (and "funny job") in life. Perhaps time to get a "proper job", Craig!
"Let Go and Let God (or whatever God means to you personally), Spirit, the Universe* reveal plot (or ANY IDEA to move forward) to you" through your CREATIVE CONSCIOUSNESS, our "connection with the Divine"... and it never fails to work for me (in all areas of life, I believe)!
* I could go on and on here: Infinite Intelligence, Universal Consciousness, Infinite Spirit, Higher Self, Creative Intelligence, etc. Stop, craig - this is an article on writing and not religion, er sorry spirituality. So writer's block is a "spiritual problem" and in order to overcome it, one just needs to "tap into a higher dimension".
EVERY problem in life has a spiritual solution!
Enough "spiritual thoughts" and back to writing!
Shared by Craig Lock ("Information and Inspiration Distributer, Incorrigible Encourager and People-builder")
"There is a rich tapestry of talent in every human soul, that flows through (and from ), the Source of our Being, the Spirit of God, Life. So don't spend your days stringing and tuning your instrument; start making and playing your unique tunes of music right now...today"
" I truly believe we can all create and enthuse magic into 'so-called humdrum little lives'. You don't just have to be the choreorapher, or the conductor of your life script - rather paint your life as the the masterpiece it could (one day) be."
from www.craigsquotes.wordpress.com
P.S: Sorry about all the "eyes" in the article, but didn't know how to write it any other way. Perhaps I should have left the "problem" to my creative imagination... or DID I!
"Any writer who complains of 'writer's block' doesn't have a big enough mortgage!"
About the Author
Craig believes in the great potential of every human being in the amazing journey of life and loves to encourage people to share their individual (and guiding) spirits, so that they become all that they are CAPABLE of being.
'Write Rite and be Published: All that I Know about Writing, How to Write Creatively'. This e-book (and craig’s various other books on “the writing journey”) are available at http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keyw...
The various books* that Craig “felt inspired to write” are available at http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4
http://goo.gl/vTpjk (and/or http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=la_B005GGMAW4_sr?rh=i%3Abooks&field-author=C...)
https://www.createspace.com/pub/simplesitesearch.search.do?sitesearch_qu... (paperbacks)
and http://www.creativekiwis.com/index.php/books
All proceeds go to needy and underprivileged children - MINE!
"A book is small enough to hold in your hand; but when you read it, the walls fall away and you're in a room as big as the world."
Craig's blog with thoughts and extracts from various writings is at
https://craigsblogs.wordpress.com/2011/09/09/craigs-list-of-blogs-update...
"The world's smallest and most exclusive bookstore"
"Life is about finding, then following the dream... and one's dream/vision comes to reality through believing in yourself, making the commitment and then creating it."
- c
"Together, one mind, one life at a time, let's see how many people we can impact, encourage, empower, uplift and perhaps even inspire to reach their fullest potentials."
PPS
Don't worry about the world ending today...
it's already tomorrow in "little, scenic and tranquil" New Zealand
About the Author
Craig believes in the great potential of every human being in the amazing journey of life and loves to encourage people to share their individual (and guiding) spirits, so that they become all that they are CAPABLE of being.
'Write Rite and be Published: All that I Know about Writing, How to Write Creatively'. This e-book (and craig’s various other books on “the writing journey”) are available at http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keyw...
The various books* that Craig “felt inspired to write” are available at http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4
http://goo.gl/vTpjk (and/or http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=la_B005GGMAW4_sr?rh=i%3Abooks&field-author=C...)
https://www.createspace.com/pub/simplesitesearch.search.do?sitesearch_qu... (paperbacks)
and http://www.creativekiwis.com/index.php/books
All proceeds go to needy and underprivileged children - MINE!
"A book is small enough to hold in your hand; but when you read it, the walls fall away and you're in a room as big as the world."
Craig's blog with thoughts and extracts from various writings is at
https://craigsblogs.wordpress.com/2011/09/09/craigs-list-of-blogs-update...
"The world's smallest and most exclusive bookstore"
"Life is about finding, then following the dream... and one's dream/vision comes to reality through believing in yourself, making the commitment and then creating it."
- c
"Together, one mind, one life at a time, let's see how many people we can impact, encourage, empower, uplift and perhaps even inspire to reach their fullest potentials."