by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
I was stumped a couple of months ago by a question from a very sharp writer in a high school creative writing class. He asked me what I do on those days when I didn’t feel inspired to write. I had to babble out some answer about what I hear that other writers do on days when they don’t feel inspired to write. The truth is that I’m rarely inspired when I write…I just do it and fix anything that sounds ‘off’ later.
But I know what I wished I’d answered. Because I do always make a point of filling my creative well. I may not feel inspired when I write, but I sure as heck don’t want to feel burned out when I write. I’ve written through burnout several times over the past ten years and it didn’t feel good. Forcing the words out isn’t fun and the end product will need work.
For me, the answer is two-fold. It’s surrounding myself with other people’s creativity and giving myself quiet, empty time to think or just be.
Filling the well with others’ creativity:
Reading. I’ve really ramped up my reading this year and have read 25 books so far this year. The main reason I increased my reading was because of a bout of burnout in 2017. I’ve kept a TBR (to be read) list on Goodreads (a private account, since I didn’t want it to be a promo-related thing) and that has helped me to keep my reading eclectic. I’ve read nonfiction, lit fic, YA, biographies, and mysteries.
Television. Except I suppose it’s not really TV. We’re pretty much unplugged here and I’m creating watchlists from Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, etc. There again, I’ve been careful to curate what I’m watching and have made it as eclectic as possible. In particular, I’ve branched out to watch a lot of foreign shows, which has been fun.
Podcasts. I do listen to industry podcasts, but for filling my well I’m focusing more on fiction/audio drama. I started out with Limetown and then started searching for others. It keeps me engaged while I’m doing rote housework or cooking (sometimes too engaged and I mess things up!) To get you started, here are a few articles with ideas for shows to listen to: 11 Fiction Podcasts Worth a Listen (by Amanda Hess, NY Times), 10 Audio Drama Podcasts to Get You Hooked on Fiction (by Wil Williams), and 10 Fiction Podcasts You Should Totally Get Sucked Into Right Now (by LeeAnn Whittemore.
Music. I’m one of those who can’t listen to music when I write (unless it’s non-lyrical jazz or classical or new age…but sometimes that’s even distracting), but I enjoy listening to it during non-writing times. I listen to various stations on Amazon Prime music (my kids are trying to pull me more in a Spotify direction, but I’m not there yet), and then add songs to playlists when they really appeal to me. The stations are nice because I get to pick a general direction I want to go in with the music but it still allows for some musical serendipity.
Filling the well with quiet time:
This is the hardest for me, but possibly the thing that gives me the most back in terms of later creativity.
Walking. This is the best way for me to be quiet and not be restless. Sometimes I’ll take my corgi, Finn, along and sometimes I’ll go by myself. While I walk, I’ll usually get ideas for my current story and future stories, which I’ll make sure to record on my phone. It’s amazing how restorative a walk can be.
How do you fill your creative well? Have you ever experienced burnout?
Filling Your Creative Well: Click To TweetPhoto on Visualhunt
I walk every single day and it’s a great way to clear the brain.
Been listening to any prog rock?
That’s cool you read outside your genre. I’ve read a much bigger variety in the past ten years, mostly as a result of associating with a variety of authors.
You know, I was just thinking that I’m listening to the same old stuff (and I do mean old) over and over again. I need to listen to something new…good idea re progressive!
I walk 5 days out of the week, but find myself missing it the 2 that I don’t. May have to start walking super-early, though…it sure is hot here.
This is such an important thing for authors to consider, Elizabeth. We have to fill our wells, because, of course, we drain them. You’ve got some great ideas, too, for which thanks. I’ve also found that doing other creative things, even simple ones, helps. Things like taking photographs, etc. can help – well, they help me – to tap that sense of wonder that you need for creativity.
So true! I think I drain mine every day (or at least I feel that way at the end of the day). Photography is another good one. And, like writing, it helps us to look at the world through a lens/filter, which I find very helpful.
I used to make channels on Pandora for a variety of music but it’s been so long, I don’t even remember my password.
I’ve found that I sometimes have to invest time upfront to build reading lists and music and TV lists in order to save time later (and to really listen/watch/read something worth my time).
I’m rarely inspired, but when I work at it, words crawl onto the page. I drag them out when they don’t want to appear, always worrying they’re pure drivel. Usually they aren’t as bad as I feared.
I walk almost every day (not far lately; it’s too hot), but with my 81 year-old-mom, who never stops talking. When she runs out of chatter, she repeats herself. So not relaxing! I have written her adventures into a character, though. That was fun.
Good point about the words we force out looking better the next day. :)
Your mom sounds like a great character!
Hi Elizabeth – I’m overwhelmed with things to write about … that’s a challenge … but have loads of post ideas ready to write up – getting them into some semblance for a suitable post. I get my ideas from visits to places, or like now being here and picking up a few things Canadian, and my reading has increased exponentially – it’s rather worrying – way too much going on … in fact a few book posts coming up: short and sweet ones.
So I guess I’m lucky – it’s the other way for me … doing different things helps … and exercise is essential. I have to get into a routine here … cheers Hilary
It’s either feast or famine, isn’t it? I hope that you settle into a routine soon…I know it’s been a sort of crazy past year!
Hi Elizabeth,
I’m curious. As a part of your DVD/TV time, have you watched Morse or the spin-offs (Inspector Lewis and Endeavor)? Great shows for any mystery lover.
Recently, I watched the first season of Ekaterina: The Rise of Catherine the Great on Amazon Prime. It’s really well done. Since you’re branching out into foreign films, you might like it. (It’s a Russian production.)
“I’ve found that I sometimes have to invest time upfront to build reading lists and music and TV lists in order to save time later”
So true. And the principle applies to outlines and series bibles as well!
In The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron talks about going on “artist dates” to refill the creative well. If you haven’t already, you might want to check it out for more fill-the-well ideas.
I stream them on PBS…great series! And I just noticed that PBS now has season 5 of Endeavor loaded on their site. :) I watched episode 1 last night.
Thanks for the tip on Ekaterina! I’ll give it a go. I haven’t watched a Russian production yet, so that will be interesting. I’ve most recently watched Dark (Germany), 3% (Brazil), Hotel Beau Séjour (Belgium). It definitely gives me a different entertainment perspective and I’ve really enjoyed it.
I’ve read “Artist’s Way,” but gosh…it must have been 10 years ago (it’s been around that long, right?) Good reminder to reread it!
It’s SO important to re-charge! Lately I haven’t been reading as much as I want to…not sure why. Maybe it’s a “permission” thing, to go off by myself and be quiet. But I’m moving it up on my priority list.
I also have a backyard container garden that I enjoy working in (it’s kind of a jungle, actually). Watering and harvesting the veggies on a regular basis is very therapeutic for me. I like to do bead crocheting as well, which is a fun craft I can do while being around my family and/or watching tv.
Hope you are enjoying your summer, Elizabeth!
~Kathy
My 2016 reading year was pretty awful and early 2017 wasn’t much better. This year has been a huge improvement because I worked to make a really solid TBR list (as opposed to just letting serendipity dictate my list, which didn’t work as well!)
I used to *love* gardening! You just reminded me of that fact. Maybe I can find the time to try it again. It sounds like gardening and bead crocheting really work well in helping you recharge. Enjoy your summer!