Can Creativity Be Forced?
Posted by David Duhr in 
Discussion questions: Do you ever try to force creativity, and does it ever work? Can movement and/or a change of scenery help you? What methods do you have for clearing the mental clutter? Let’s talk about creativity — and ways to foster it — in the comments.
We’ve hired a new coach and consultant, Stephanie True Peters. Welcome, Stephanie!
In her Q&A, Stephanie says a few things that speak to this moment we’re all caught up in. Last week we had a discussion about being creative during COVID-19, and a few of you expressed frustration at being unable to produce, despite being stuck at home.
Stephanie answered these questions before the pandemic, but her answers are arguably more relevant than ever.
“Creativity can’t be forced,” Stephanie tells us when asked to deliver some words of wisdom to aspiring writers. “If you’re staring in frustration at the blank page or screen, take a break from writing and do something completely different. Movement helps jump-start my brainwaves, so I’ll take a walk or clean a room or hit the gym.”
Take a walk, yes; clean a room, yes. Hit the gym? Oh, the gym. I’m considering moving to Atlanta just so I can return to the gym. (Just kidding. What a horror show.)
How about you? Do you ever try to force creativity, and does it ever work? Can movement and/or a change of scenery help you?
“You can also try doing a ‘brain dump,'” Stephanie continues, channeling Julie Cameron and her Morning Pages. “Write down everything that’s on your mind — your grocery list, a joke, a conversation you overheard, a description of someone you love (or hate!), a problem you solved. Clearing out the clutter can make room for new ideas to grow. And who knows, you might even find inspiration somewhere in the clutter!”
Clearing clutter both physical and mental is probably something we can all stand to do right now.
What methods do you have for clearing the mental clutter? Do you jot down lines of dialogue, jokes, stray thoughts, and the like? What do you do with them? Let’s talk about it in the comments.
And if you’re interested in working with Stephanie, request a free consult now!
WriteByNight co-founder David Duhr is fiction editor at the Texas Observer and co-host of the Yak Babies podcast, and has written about books for the Dallas Morning News, Electric Literature, Publishing Perspectives, and others.
WriteByNight is a writers’ service dedicated to helping you achieve your creative potential and literary goals. We work with writers of all experience levels working in all genres, nationwide and worldwide. If you have a 2020 writing project you’d like a little help with, take a look at our book coaching, private instruction and writer’s block counseling services. If you have a manuscript that’s ready for some editorial care, check out our various critiquing, editorial, and proofing services. Join our mailing list and get a FREE writer’s diagnostic, “Common problems and SOLUTIONS for the struggling writer.”
Certainly, I try to force creativity at times. Like when I’m facing a deadline (even self-imposed) for a book review or blog post. Or even when I just know it’s time to make progress on a given project. Usually it works. It seems the very act of writing will often pull creativity from my psyche. Then again, I sometimes hit a wall of inertia so strong I have to stop. At those times, I agree with your new coach that distraction can help. Just doing something else allows the subcon to work on the writing. Sometimes inspirations help. I’ll watch… Read more »
The music thing is something I’ll do too. The stories I’m writing are based on a particular phase in my life, so I have a playlist with a bunch of songs that put me back in that time and place. Sometimes it works to get me unstuck. Other times, I’m just too easy on myself; I’ll sit down to write, and if I’m not feeling it right away, I’ll quit. Gotta change that.
That’s actually something that works for me, sometimes. Music jump-starts my artillery, and the Kowitzer fires…sometimes. I got inspired to work on a story the other day from a line in a folk song. I also heard a heavy metal tune recently and got a great title from one of the lines. Only thing is, I misheard the lyric. My interpretation of what I thought he sang was better than the actual lyric. So…I figure it’s not plagiarism if he actually wrote and sang something completely different from what I got out of it (and no, it wasn’t “Scuse me… Read more »
Count the head lice on the highway
Tony Danza, in my hand…On a dark desert highway, Cool Whip in my hair…
Wrapped up like a douche…
We built Miss Kitty on rock and roll…
…or my all-time favorite, “hey, little sister, what’s your bison wish?”
There’s a website that collects those misheard lyrics. :-) http://www.kissthisguy.com/
Thank you Elissa, this is great! I think this is a new type of personality test, the Misheard Rorschach…use your subconscious mind to fiill in the lyrical gaps…
I find when I’m stuck creatively I do the tactics above but also I like to talk with a writing buddy or a writing group. Sometimes a simple brainstorming/venting session is all I need to really get going. And it helps other authors too who might be going through the same thing. It’s why I host a Zoom meeting each week for my writing friends to join. We keep it open for about 2-3 hours so people can come and go as their schedule allows. It’s a lot of fun and really helps. I blog daily to get the junk… Read more »
A writing buddy, or even a group of them, can be so essential. We did a post about a year ago about writing buddies, and a lot of people shared their stories: https://www.writebynight.net/abcs-of-writing/a-writer-friend-to-turn-to/
Sometimes just knowing that someone else out there knows and cares about your project, and understands what you’re going through, can help you bust through whatever wall you’re facing.
I love your open Zoom group idea!
Hey Y’all! Hmmmm, what I think about this: like Raymondo said there are so many variables to gather inspiration, but to have a good mindset sets the stage, the tone, the mood – and without a good mind you can become lazy among other things. And like Stephanie, that creativity cannot, will not be forced. Personally, I get inspiration in many forms such as reading, sometimes listening to ‘Rumi’ musical ruminations, I do yoga, I do breathing exercises, I jump rope, I talk long walks, and watch film noir often (for the dialogue, the narration, the setting/s, the camera angles,… Read more »
So you have a list of activities that can help you find your inspiration, and you turn to them when you’re struggling. That’s a great approach. I appreciate the mix of the physical and mental — healthy body, healthy mind.
I couldn’t disagree more. Creativity can absolutely be forced. Anyone who’s ever developed a habit of journaling, or committed to sitting down and writing a certain amount every day — and actually done it even (especially) on those days when the desire to write absolutely isn’t there can attest to that. How exactly to force that creativity is another matter. As a previous commenter said, there are a zillion variables. Just sitting down and forcing the words, no matter how terrible they are, is one. For many projects, I find that if I’m not inspired by whatever scene/chapter comes next… Read more »
I guess even if you force yourself to write, and it sucks, you’ve at least written *something*. Sometimes I just stare at the screen, though. One thing I try is to write something totally unrelated to the thing I’m struggling with, which is where that journaling can come in handy. It doesn’t work often — if I’m not feeling it, I’m just not feeling it — but other times it can kickstart me. Once in a while I’ll sit down with a crossword puzzle; it clears the mind a little, but it also gets my hand moving, making words.
“A professional is someone who shows up and does a good job no matter how they feel, what mood they’re in or what they’re dealing with”. (And no, I don’t remember where i heard this or who said it).
You said it.
Which reminds me of a fun exchange from Cheers:
Frasier: “Oh death in life, the days that are no more.” Who said that?
Woody: Who said what?
Frasier: “Oh death in life, the days that are no more.”
Woody: You did.
Frasier: No, I mean, who said it first?
Woody: You said it both times.
Apparently, writer”s block is like alien spacecraft. According to us whom have experienced it, writers block is real. Ant to those who ain’t seen one, they don’t exist and we are just those loony folk. My Quora friend Mercedes Lackey who has written over 140 books (yes, name dropping) there’s no such thing. That real writers write no matter what. I think that people are writers across a curve; some people can’t write, some are terrible at it, some can write when the muse is near and the stars are aligned, some can write most of the time and some… Read more »
Writers on a curve, I like that. You were struggling at the beginning of Wisconsin’s lockdown, then started trying the Julia Cameron approach. Any movement since then? Are you back to writing fiction? Are you still writing at least something every day?
I’m writing a lot on Quora, 3/4 of a million reads, some writing on MPs. I need to re-read “Outside Interest 2084” I’ve 158 pgs. written that I need to be reintroduced to. I realized while I was beating myself up over Coronawriter’s Block that I actually had less time to write, because I have to entertain Sue to some extent on the two days she used to work, which were, since I had an empty house, my best and most productive times to write. I’m not planning on doing creative writing today though I will read some of “2084”… Read more »
“because I have to entertain Sue to some extent” I’m envisioning you doing a whole floor routine, and maybe some juggling.
I’m back to writing, a little. I did a silly exercise a week or so ago, just to write *something*, and that led to me getting back to my project. Since then, fits & starts. You know how that goes.
Well it might include dancing, possible risqué, but usually just sitting with her reading, talking, watching TV. I edited six pages so far today. Good to hear your doing.
Good to hear. Remember, rewriting/editing is writing.
It is at that. So what are you working on?
The same short story cycle I’ve been going back and forth on for… ten years? I’m on version 1,500, more or less, of the one I’m working on now…
I like your thinking David and your creativity is defined in how you express yourself. I thought about: ‘real writers’ write no matter what.’ And that may be true, like that man w/the broken pencil or a man in his journal in the wilderness or last frontier in the Yukon. And, one thing stuck out for me: …writers across a curve…some…. Yes, you may be right in your descriptions tantamount to good writers or wanna-be writers (so to speak) However, such thought would be among the judging or jury; comparable to singers or artists who are really good according to… Read more »
I think “Writers on a Curve” would be a great name for a writing group.
Yeah, right!
Writer’s block is real to those who have it, but I’m like your friend. There isn’t any such animal. You sit down. You write. You edit. You write. If you keep that up, things do happen. The “Muse” everyone waits on doesn’t happen without some work on your part. You make it happen. Get an idea. Expand upon it and keep going. You edit the results into something readable. Once you start writing, even if it’s nonsense, eventually you put down what you wanted to say. As to avoiding putting it out there for others to see…I get it. It… Read more »
“The book sucks, but that’s okay.”
Some version of that would make a great book title.
This Book Sucks, But That’s OK
I won a prize at our local writer’s group called ‘The Writer’s Toolbox’ it has proved to be the most fun. It was created by Jamie Cat Callan. I invited some writer friends over to play with it. Can play solo or with a group. It has 8 prompts which are given in increments of five minutes. A protagonist, first sentence, goals,Non sequitur, obstacle, last straw sixth sense and action. Each person has five minutes to write out his/her prompt. We laughed so much at the stories we came up with, it proved you can write about anything and change… Read more »
I like this; what a great idea. After playing, do you feel inspired to get back to your own work? I struggled for weeks to write anything, and then one day I sat down with a ridiculous exercise, something that was “assigned” to me totally for fun and absurdity. So I did it, and the result was silly, but later that day I sat down to work on a short story for the first time in more than a month. Sometimes we just need to do something out of our ordinary to get us going again.
Good afternoon, and hi again. I am not really sure if creativity can be forced. Nothing forced sounds happy to me anyway. Being forced to eat, or being forced to speak or being forced to go on a date with someone we just do not want to go out with can be anything but pleasant. I guess there are times when we as humans want to do something, but cannot. So, we force ourselves to just DO IT! I have been there but find force does not bring about anything overly positive or rewarding. Perhaps it is possible to force… Read more »
I try to get my dog to meow all the time. It never works. But it would be so cute…
So when you’re blocked, unable to write, what are your methods for breaking through it?
(Oops, never mind. Your next comment addresses this!)
When I am blocked creatively..how do I get through it? Hmm..let me see. I like to draw. Sometimes I create work I call Meditative art.I sit by the back screen door, and let the cat cuddle with me and just chill. I make some coffee, grab my fine colored markers with the .4 tip and simply color or doodle weird shapes and animals. Because there are so many ways to allow our creativity to shine through, I allow myself to choose the markers I want to use. That is a creative process in itself. I have different colors and use… Read more »
“there are days when NO creative ideas are necessary.” I think that’s something that some of us just have to accept. And then there are others who can’t accept it, because their daily habit is what keeps them going. Different strokes. Like you, I give myself days off when it feels necessary… but sometimes I wish I didn’t.
Ways to foster creativity…hmm..let me think for a moment. Dumping stuff out of our head is one option. I guess sometimes even opening up a book, and finding a few words that seem to bring about a response helps me. I can find a book, open up to some chapter, read a sentence and just write the first thing that comes to mind. How does that sentence make me feel? If anything? How does the author connect with me or does he or she not connect with me at all?? Can I learn from the paragraph I just read or… Read more »
“Creativity is Everywhere” would also make a good T-shirt.
I like your ideas on expressing yourself through what seem like simple, quotidian choices. Sometimes I look at my coffee mugs in the cupboard and think about which one I’m feeling that day. If I feel like doing some writing, I’ll usually choose the Rumpus “Write Like a Motherfucker” mug. But I’ve never before considered that as any sort of creative expression. I’m gonna think about this.
Thanks for the compliment, David. It does sound like a cool tee shirt saying. I will see about creating a shirt like that one day. I used to love to create on anything!! I made drawings of squirrels and then had them made into stickers and iron ons. THen I ironed some of my art on my socks and shirts. It is just another way to be creative. Yes, choosing a coffee mug is a way to express ourself and that is another way to be creative. What coffee mug we use is important. Yes, it is. How many coffee… Read more »
Yeah, we have about eighteen different mugs. That’s a lot for two people. Sometimes we even talk about which mug we want to use that day. I’ve really never devoted even this much thought to it, but I’m digging the pursuit.
Great topic! My brain moves in waves…(pun intended) I awoke at 3 am and had to write down my dream. This helps in the long run in terms of weird descriptive situations. Morning is my best time at creating also. Not so much the rest of the day. A cool and effective routine is , at night, I’ll review my current project for a short while , then sleep on it. Our brains consolidate memories when we sleep and mine at least somehow ruminates on the last item Ive worked on, so in the a.m. I’ve got a mental freshness… Read more »
Write in the morning, reread at night so that your brain can work on it while you’re sleeping. I love this. I usually write at night, just before bed, thinking along those same lines… but with that method, I don’t get as much of the distance required. Whereas you’ve had all day.
There are times when I stall out .I infuse caffine with sugar .If thadoesn’t work music and motion to get the heart pumping. I want to thank you , David and Justine I look for the posts on Sarurday. Two questions How do I add my photo to the cite?and What is the standard for two authors to co-write a book?
I’m glad you like these posts; I do too. They keep me thinking, and writing.
To get a photo, I think you need to create a WordPress account and then sign into it whenever you leave comments. Can anyone else here can verify or disprove that?
Regarding your second question, let’s chat about it over email!
Welcome, Stephanie! (Metro Boston was my adopted home for 20 years.) I’m going to replace “forced” with “channeled” and say yes. In that way I agree with both David K. Fried and Brigitte. When chemo put the kibosh on my creative writing I turned to digital art and maintained a public cancer blog in addition to my private journal. I simply did not have the brain cells for the creative writing I used to do. (Neither could I read a book; I was ecstatic when I could manage that again.) My current experiment requires daily output in the form of… Read more »
Oh, I meant to ask this in a different post, but now here we are: Are you rereading any of the pages as you work through this project? Do you read only the prior day’s so you know exactly where to pick it up? Or are you not reading any of it, and just moving forward?
Also! Do you plan to edit at all, while still keeping each day’s page at the appropriate number? That could get interesting.
So far, my re-reading of past material is limited to recent installments (usually just the past day or two) leading up to the new writing so that I can orient myself, with occasional checks farther back for continuity. After each day’s addition I do a debriefing in my journal, laying out what I’ve just done, comparing it to what I wanted to or thought I would do, and then figuring out where I want to go next: action or reflection, whose POV to use and why, what kind of foreshadowing, etc. The journal is also where I free-associate, amassing details… Read more »
Do you find that as the daily word count grows, the attention you pay to every single word lessens a bit? How different is Day 119(?) than Day 1?
I’m not sure that the attention lessens as much as it differs because my available toolbox changes over time. It’s like painting in monochrome versus a full(er) palette. The medium directs awareness and priorities. In addition to my notes from the first and current days, I’m including a couple of interim days to illustrate. In particular, Day 13 had to be padded out by a couple of words, even though it’s one-ninth the length of today’s installment. On that day, 11 words had been sufficient to convey my basic concept. Another factor is the cumulative word count as the story… Read more »
Are you considering publishing the journal along with (or separate from, but in tandem) the project itself? Because that could be really cool.
It could easily be a companion volume (recommended as a sequel, due to spoilers). I’m not thinking either way about publication at this point, just letting the experiment take its course.
Because I’m used to having my life upset by odd things like hurricanes, no electric, unable to cook, cold showers, etc, this is a piece of cake and part of the normal for me. My brain dump ends up being a video game. I’ll play for a few hours and then get back to work. I don’t force creativity. The muse comes when I sit down at the computer and start to read what I did the day before. Yes, I do write or edit daily missing less than seven days a year. I’ve found that the habit of writing… Read more »
Creativity “isn’t forced but crashes into you when you sit down.” I love this.
What happens on those seven days per year? Do you schedule an occasional off day, or is it just life intervening and you legitimately don’t have a free moment to sit down?
Those are the days when life happens and by the time I get a moment to sit down and write I’m too tired to think. It’s all about habit. I developed the habit of writing everyday and my brain and creativity are pulled to the forefront when I sit down and open a manuscript.
How do you feel on (or after, like the next morning) these occasional days when you don’t get any words down? Is there an acceptance or does it bother you? (Or both?)
I’m okay with it. I accept that I do have a life outside of work but it nursing or writing. I make time for life. I’ve not had a day when I’ve not done something concerning my writing, even if it’s nothing more than reading a book, rereading a manuscript or critiquing other people’s work. On the days where I don’t write new stuff, I frequently am editing or rewriting. I’m actually way behind in this month for putting new words on paper. I only have 58.5K but that is OK. I’m doing a lot of editing and learning the… Read more »
I’ve been trying the “brain dump” but not in the morning. Instead, I’ve been writing out those pesty thoughts that have a tendency to hold me in place at night before turning out the light to go to sleep at night. So far it’s been helping me with more effective sleep but not with getting anything decent on the page in front of me during my writing session. Maybe I need to do this dump in the morning too.
It’s worth a try, for sure. I might be afraid that come nighttime I’d have nothing left to dump, after a morning session, but I imagine there’s always plenty of new stuff that builds up during each and every day.
Or take that brain dump from the night before and make it into something great?
Barbara, I’m hoping one of my nightly brain dumps will turn into something more than a rant or rave. So far it hasn’t happened though.