I’ll be honest here. There are days when I feel as if my creativity is as elusive as Peter Pan’s wayward shadow. I can jump at it and try to corner it all I want, but just when I think I have an idea in my grasp, it wiggles away and I find myself crying on the floor because I can’t get a single word on the page. (Well, maybe not crying, but you get the picture.)
Unlike Peter, I don’t have a Wendy Darling to set things right again. But I do have a few tricks that help me get back to writing when I feel like I’ve lost my “shadow” for good. Since I know I’m not the only one this happens to, I thought I’d share my top seven tricks to reignite the creative spirit.
The most beautiful sunrise I’ve ever seen was from the window of a plane. I watched in awe as the towering clouds took on an amethyst hue and slowly turned rose-quartz pink. Then, in a flash of blinding light, I found myself staring at a vista of white that reminded me of pictures of Antarctica. I spent the rest of the flight imagining I was hiking through the snow with all the equipment an explorer needs to discover a new world.
There are few things that give me a shiver of delight the way the stars do on a moonless night. The fact that flaming orbs placed light-years apart can create a constellation the entire world recognizes just amazes me. I obsessed over Greek mythology as a kid. I gobbled up every book in the library I could find on the subject and still remember many of the stories to this day; so for me, stargazing is like looking for old friends in the sky.
Both of my parents would play dress-up with us when I was little. We’d attend royal balls, recreate wrestling tournaments, or fly in a space ship to have tea in a Paris cafe. Looking back, I can’t think of a time I was more imaginative than when I’d put on my dad’s old Air Force dress blues or one of my mom’s dresses. I don’t have children of my own, but I do have little ones in my life. Stepping away from the adult table and running out into the back yard for an adventure is one of the quickest ways to kickstart the imagination (and burn off a few extra calories).
I love music! Even more so when I can see the performers in action. Music captures the soul in a way that few other art mediums can. During the summer you can usually find more than one festival or concert in the park to fill your creative spirit. If you find something you particularly like, get the album and add it to your writing playlist for a burst of inspiration when the summer venues close.
I have several books about Scotland (a place I will visit before I go completely gray!). The landscapes astound me and the mossy ruins lead me to wonder about the lives lived and lost behind those walls. I also collect postcards of the places I visit and ask friends to bring me back a few when they travel. When I’m looking for ideas on how to describe a particular scene, I’ll often refer to the books and postcards for inspiration.
I don’t have a collection of love letters lying around, but I do hold on to notes of encouragement from dear friends. They remind me of my passion, and motivate me to press on when I’m struggling to find my way. I also keep inspirational quotes and verses around me. Some are on the white board in my kitchen; some are on my bathroom mirror. Still others are tacked, taped, or pasted around my desk and writing areas. Quotes remind me that I’m not blazing new trails in unknown territory and that plenty of others have made their way before me. If they can do it, well, so can I.
Most of the stories I wrote as a child have been lost over the years (multiple moves will do that). But I do keep a couple of plastic file bins that I’ve filled with scraps and stories I’ve written since then. Pulling those out and reading them lets me see where I started and how far I’ve come. It also reminds me of the early excitement I had when I was first beginning to write. I also rediscover all sorts of “new” ideas to use in my current WIPs.
Thoreau wrote, “How vain it is to sit down to write when you’ve not stood up to live.”
It doesn’t matter if we write fiction or non-fiction, if we’re not engaging in the world around us, we’ll never be about to pour the words we want to share on the page. If you’re feeling dry or like your words lack color, maybe it’s time to set down the laptop and go out and live for a spell. The blank screen will be thrilled to see you when you return!
Add a few drops of your own:
What helps you recharge your creative spirit when it feels drained? Share your encouraging tips with other weary writers in the comments below.