9 Factors That Suffocate a Writer’s Creativity
As writers, we are aware that our creativity is finite. It requires love, support, and a significant amount of practice. Certain circumstances have the potential to impede the creative process of a writer.
Here is a list of things you should avoid at all costs:
1. Anxiety
This number one stifler of creativity manifests itself in a variety of forms and sizes—fears of the existential. These are the most difficult to overcome. People who are frightened of being harmed, being hungry, or even being killed are unable to make art.
Who is to blame? They should be concerned with more pressing matters.
Writers Fear.
These are fears unique to writers: dread of the blank page, worry of inspiration failing to materialize, the anxiety of missing a deadline, fear of producing untalented ‘rubbish’—do any of these sound familiar? They are all driven by fear of failure. Because it is so strong, ensure that you have something unique in your toolkit to combat it.
Social Anxieties.
Writers must possess a certain level of bravery in order to go out and exhibit their work. If you are fearful of meeting new people or of what others may say or think, this might prevent you from writing.
Are you merely supportive? Have you been wrongly criticized? Determined the source of your anxiety and treat it.
All of these phobias have one thing in common: they have an effect on our bodies. Fear is in inextricably linked to our survival instinct. Our fight-or-flight response mechanisms take over. Regrettably, this suffocates innovation.
When this occurs, immediately stop producing and confront the source of your fear. Meeting fundamental human needs is necessary for creativity. If you take care of those things first, you are not a failure as a writer!
2. Reminders of Previous Failed Attempts
These pierce our souls’ ancient scars. Did you realize that what constitutes a historical failure is mostly subjective? This is a question of perspective, which implies that we have the ability to alter it!
Therefore, please consider such alleged prior shortcomings. Bear in mind that writing is a never-ending adventure. Nobody writes poorly every day of the year. We all grow. We all improve. You might view your creative history as a setback or a teaching opportunity. The option is entirely up to you!
3. Constant Buzz
Are you a news buff? Are you constantly rushing from one activity to the next, never wasting time? In this continual noise, creativity is impossible. It leaves no opportunity for self-indulgence or reflection.
Educational psychologists propose that children boredom on a regular basis to foster creative play. Adults are no exception. If we are continually absorbing knowledge, we will never have time to assimilate it. Nonetheless, creativity is a byproduct of digestion. Overwhelming knowledge results in analytical paralysis; we lack the time (and energy!) to produce. Take a rest from time to time.
4. Inadequate Buzz
When authors seclude themselves in ivory towers, cut off from the rest of the world, they will quickly run out of raw material. They require input or ‘their wells will run dry.’ it is, in fact, a period of intellectual dryness.
Therefore, please provide your creative brain with a diverse range of intellectual and sensory information, even if it is unrelated to the project at hand. Bear in mind that the dosage determines the toxicity.
5. Running Commentary
What if every time a writer creates a tale, their inner critics point out why it would never work? When writing and editing occur currently, any creative spark is stifled.
When writing, you must be completely immersed in your subject. The polar opposite, a certain distance, is precisely what reviewers and editors want in order to make useful comments. Both jobs are antagonistic in nature.
Therefore, go ahead and inform your inner critics that they must wait their turn. Create first. Then modify.
6. Stuck In A Stalemate
Routines are beneficial, but if you become locked in one, you will suffer from another type of intellectual dryness. Consider the following instance.
At six a.m, a writer sits down with a cup of coffee and composes a poem. A sound regimen would compel them to sit and write. It becomes a horrible routine if they are only capable of writing poems.
Can you see the distinction? Routines are beneficial behaviors that enhance your life. Being in a stalemate makes life tedious and repetitious. Reconsider the value of your routines.
7. Experts Who Lack A Clearly Defined Set of Categories
A yardstick is used to determine length, whereas scales are used to determine weight. Literary categories should serve as a barometer of your abilities as a writer. Be cautious of editors who lack these categories! Select your first critics carefully.
Unqualified individuals make abstract and absolute judgments, such as ‘this is horrible’ or ‘this is amazing.’ They will be unable to articulate precisely what is unpleasant or nice. They are unable to explain why because they lack the necessary tools. Ultimately, their criticism is personal and unpleasant. It does nothing.
Whenever someone provides you comments, ensure that you first understand their standard. Avoid so-called experts. They have the capacity to suffocate your imagination!
8. Functional Fixedness
It is a type of mind control that is placed on oneself. Consider a toolbox in which each tool has a purpose. If you have functional fixedness, each tool will appear to have only one function. What if you just decided that each tool could be used for a plethora of previously unknown functions? That is the moment at which creativity begins. You are a thinker who thinks beyond the toolbox.
9. Unsupportive People
They are those who do not take your writing seriously or even reject your existence as a writer. You could encounter them at family or social gatherings or even at work.
The best course of action is to join a community of like-minded people or schedule a writing class.
Conclusion:
Discover your tribe! Seek out an atmosphere that is invested in your growth and success as a writer. Kindly leave a comment if there is a tool that we haven’t covered.