Many of you have known me since I first joined Gather way back in November of 2005. When I think about how things were back then, compared to now, I feel a bit sad. I used to be someone who was often called prolific - writing fiction, poetry, articles, etc. I was the number one read member on the site for several months and one of the people who encouraged constructive criticism. I seemed to have creativity coming out of my pores, and I really enjoyed it.
But then as Gather changed and evolved and as I let myself get distracted by other things I found myself writing less and less. Thanks to my stumbling into writing crochet patterns, I was able to maintain good earnings on Gather without being online constantly and being so consumed with writing on this site (which, looking back, at times was a bad thing too). It seems that I simply had a season of creativity, and that season seems to have passed. Not that I don't want to write anymore, and not that I don't think I would write just as well if I were to try again, but that creativity that seized me and poured out from me just does not seem to be so strong anymore.
I think I have learned a lot during my season of creativity and after as well. Perhaps a dry spell was needed? I am left wondering if there are rain clouds off in the distance - only slightly visible off in the distance, but there nonetheless. Will that creativity come pouring through my soul once again?
I have been reading more lately and it makes me think there is really no reason why I could not be published. I read a book and think "I am just as good or better writer than this person." Yet my novel remains in edit land, untouched for a least a year now, and it has had several other dry spells. I have found that sometimes after those dry spells I write from a place that I would not have had access to if I had not had the dry spell.
I think about writing a lot - develop the storylines in my head - but it never seems to make it to written word. Perhaps I need to schedule it in and make myself get back into writing. Lord knows I could definitely use the money from selling a book or two (or 10, lol).
Am I alone in experiencing these seasons of creativity? What helps to keep them from ending, or is ending necessary? What has helped to bring them back?
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Comments: 22
Maybe if you actually set aside some time every week to work on it some more. If you focused on the writing, maybe your muse will 'wake up' again!
Look at all the different seasons' of LIFE you've been through since back when. I've read you since I joined Gather in 2006 and I believe you 150% when you say you've got at least one book in you. :) All the things that we go through, that happen to us in life, change things for us, which is usually temporary, but through the years, thinking back, your life, your world has gone through a lot of changes, much like many of us here.
Maybe it's just time to take out your book, sit quietly and (I know this is in you, I do!) let the creative juices flow...try it, you just might be very surprised at what comes out of that pen of yours. I also remember when the Two Word Challenges were pretty much weekly and that group was (because of YOU!) very, very active, probably the most active group on Gather, or close to it.
Do you have a book or two or more inside you that a publisher will snap up? Oh yes...you do, Monica, you surely do! Believe in yourself, set aside a bit of time, if you need to do that, time has passed since you got a bit away from that first book, the time jus might be now - to finish it - send it off and if that's not motivation enough, well, it sure is :)
Hugs,
Marilyn (who still misses the two words challenges, and you!)
(((MONICA)))
I loved the two word challenges toO!
There was some type of "chemistry" here on Gather that promoted the creative flow. You, Sandy, Ed, and many others spurred people like me on, encouraging, challenging and creating an environment that promoted, nurtured and cultivated work.
I really long for the days when Gather was a bit more intimate, had no one whoring for points, and was small enough to actually "care" about the creative process.
I've looked far and wide for similar types of sites, but have yet to experience that rush of creativity that seemed to flow here in those early heady days.
If you do find where that creative spark has gone to, give me a hint. My dry spell has been going on for a while now, and it irks me that I no longer have the passion I once did for writing.
If you, Sandy or anyone else from the "old" days create that small intimate group, let me know. I'm in.
First, good for you for expressing this in positive terms. Seasons is so much better than the "writer's block" posts I've seen. I think writers (not people who want to slap words down and rush to post them somewhere immediately, but people who are passionate about writing) work in different stages. There are times when we have to live, experience, and think. And times when we study, edit, step back, regroup, and discover how we've grown (or not, as is sometimes the case with me). And then, there are times when we are at creative peaks and the words are flowing so we can't step away
Understanding that all of these stages are necessary is important, and it looks to me like you've discovered that, along with your confidence. You'll write, and you'll do well - when your season comes around.
As for Gather - sigh. I've finally accepted - totally accepted - that TPTB are not interested in gathering people who are truly passionate about the ART/CRAFT of writing. I plan to move my creative writing project out of Writing Essential and into my own writing group, which I will promote to people who are serious about the art/business of writing and serious critique. I'll talk more about that in my "sister" article.
Thanks, to you and X Tabber, for lighting a fire under me.
Would really like to see your thoughts on this too.