Managing Writing Doldrums

Blog Posted by Jesse Rowe: 9/26/2018 2:45:00 PM

I've read enough to know I'm not alone in this. So you're writing and loving it and the poetic juices are flowing like an opened floodgate. Then suddenly (or perhaps gradually), it gets harder. The poetic juices are more like molasses and you're finding writing less "fun". I have always gone through seasons like this and in the past I've typically just put down my pen entirely for long stretches (years sometimes). I really feel like this tactic is stunting my writing development. I am curious, fellow poets. How do you keep the creative gears oiled? I can feel the beginning of rust starting and I'm really wanting to keep going, ...but also to keep the fun in writing alive.

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Suzanne
Delaney

Date: 10/3/2018 9:56:00 AM

Hi Jesse: A lot of good suggestions here. For me I find keeping a notepad with me and writing down thoughts that come to me at random are good material to prompt a poem later on. I also like to study words in the Thesaurus...... sometimes taking a list of random words and use them in a poem. A book that kick started my Muse Is The Right Brain Experience by Marilee Zdnek. https://www.amazon.com/Right-Brain-Experience-Intimate-Imagination/dp/0070727449/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1538578218&sr=1-1&keywords=the+right+brain+experience Good Luck

Edward
Ibeh

Date: 10/1/2018 6:12:00 AM

Sorry you're currently struggling with writer's block, Jesse. It happens to me, to all of us. I just detach completely. I find that the more I force myself to write something, the thicker and thicker my brain fog gets. I just let it be until inspiration comes flooding back, and it always happens sooner than later. Good luck, my friend.

Jan
Allison

Date: 9/29/2018 2:23:00 PM

It's just happened to me Jesse! I've been away on a couple of short breaks in the UK by my fickle muse has been on a Caribbean cruise... I think she is back now - will have to wait and see but I never force writing if the inspiration isn't there I just have a break otherwise i wouldn't be happy with what I wrote:-) hugs Jan xx

Tom
Cunningham

Date: 9/27/2018 2:09:00 AM

Don't worry Jesse, it happens to us all. Before bed think of something then forget it , then sleep on it. Surprising what starts to fizzle out in the next few days. Good luck . P.S. Avoid Keith's suggestion, all you'll get is a hangover lol.

Andrea
Dietrich

Date: 9/26/2018 9:46:00 PM

The main reason I came to Soup was for the reason you are talking about. If there were no challenges, I would find little to write about! They just motivate me!! I find myself writing things I would never have thought up on my own. More than 95% of my writing comes this way. Even my very best work.

Agnes
Krampe

Date: 9/26/2018 3:27:00 PM

I posted a similar blog a while ago. No, you are not alone. The first thing I do is get out in nature, where I find most of my inspiration. What also helps me is to write something light hearted that does not have to be big "Art", just fun. I may pick a contest prompt and write something on that, without pressure. And sometimes when the creativity isn't where I want it, I work on revising older poems, which often gives me new ideas. Good luck!

Agnes Krampe
Date: 9/27/2018 6:35:00 AM

Jesse, here is the link: https://www.poetrysoup.com/poetry/blogs/blog_detail.aspx?PoetID=79390&BlogID=33745

Jesse Rowe
Date: 9/26/2018 8:27:00 PM

I may hunt down your older post. I REALLY like the idea of revisiting older poems. I have a bin of stuff from my teens and twenties that will be interesting to review. I had a lot of thoughts then but couldn't always fully articulate shaft I wanted so I suspect I'll find A LOT of poem fragments.