Posted by FP on May 10, 2000, at 11:36:44
In reply to Re: creativity, posted by DC on May 9, 2000, at 23:32:55
> Thank you all for your thoughts and advice. I guess I must have some talent because I got into one of the top creative writing programs in the country--I'll be going in the Fall.
Congratulations!
>But I having a really hard time with it. I don't spend enough time writing and when I do write I often don't like it. Some of this has to do with depression I think.
First thought: writer's block often means you've encountered a technical problem you don't know how to solve. In my case, the writing in college that bought attention was surreal - After awhile I convinced myself I "should" write in a more realistic vein, and got stuck.
Re: Depression. Maybe, Maybe. Since your first post said "INCREASE my dose of stimulants" (emphasis mine) I wondered if you were already being treated for ADD or something similar. All big life changes cause stress, which can trigger depression.
OR it could be plain old FEAR. Maybe in college there was no question (at least in your own mind) that you were the best writer around - now you'll be facing some real competition, and be judged by some of the best. Hopefully, you're going for the right reasons - some (at least one) on the faculty has a view of fiction like yours, and you hope they can mentor you, and to network and make contacts generally.
Another form of fear: have your parents or others talked about the financial hardships of being a writer? Have you gotten the lecture about how aweful the market for fiction is in this country? (Except for works that are "narrowcasted" at specific demographic groups?) I know that stuff began to get to me, too.
>I'm not planning on taking any illicit drugs. If I could get myself to do it every day and establish a habit I'm sure that would help.
Yes! Writing everyday really helps (I think it's essential), as do all those stupid tricks they tell you, like creating biographies for your characters, etc. Or maybe fragments of dialogue of action pop into you head; write'em down somewhere - eventually they may start assembling themselves.
OR, maybe your batteries just need recharging. Presumably you've been going at this pretty hard for awhile, and you're just plain exhausted. Kick back, relax, meet new people, and do new things - that might be the ticket.
> Thanks again.
Anytime. Hate to sound like Pres. C., but "I feel your pain." You'll work this out, one way or another. Trust me.
FP
PS: OMIGOD! I just realized that - by admitting my biggest writing phase (college) coincided with lots of drug taking, I'm, on some level, agree-ing with boB(B)! Who woulda thunk it?
poster:FP
thread:32741
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000508/msgs/33050.html