I recently had a creative writing revelation. I realized that my notion of being a writer was strongly linked with accurately expressing myself. I’ve been writing fiction, but at the same time I’ve been wrestling with a burdensome responsibility to somehow use that fiction to put my truth on paper. What audacity and hubris! My truth isn’t necessarily important or enlightening, except maybe to me. And what a terrible way to approach creative writing. Memoir, sure. But, creative writing?
I’m not even sure where this idea came from and I wasn’t aware of being a slave to it until this past week. It is betrayer to my creative life.
As you may know, we’re currently in the throes of annual NaNoWriMo craziness, which requires truckloads of creativity. I sat at my computer laboring over my novel, honestly intending and trying to be creative, when the lightning bolt hit. I’m my own worst enemy. I travel the same well-worn ruts over and over again, trapped by my own experiences and perspective.
An insidious voice, quieter than a whisper, is constantly censoring and evaluating my thoughts. I’m changing that today. There is freedom is releasing myself from these constraints, but for me the execution is difficult. I am me, after all, and it’s hard to get away from that.
So I’ve come up with a strategy.
Today, instead of trying to express myself, I’m going to do the exact opposite. I’m going to imagine myself as someone else – an alter ego, of sorts – and write that way. Unencumbered. The concept seems simple, but for me it’s ground breaking. This other broad can be as wild and weird as she wants to be.
Wish me luck!
The gorgeous art in this post is courtesy of, Stephanie Corfee, Featured Artist at Ink & Alchemy. It’s teeming with life and riotous color and it makes me very happy. The perfect art to spur creativity!
Visit my website to learn about my efforts to smear art & lit all over the planet. You can also find resources to use in your creative life and business.
Robin Reynolds 
Yes, like my father (a musician) always told me when I was practicing my cello (before I came a more earnest writer): “Just get out of the (your) way and let it play.” So, I get out of my way and let it write….
That sounds like very wise advice. It’s strange how I think I’m getting out of my own way, but often I’m not. I have this strange tendency (maybe this is all writers and creatives) to censor and limit myself.
Yes, we do have that malady at times…that darned inner critic mucking around where unneeded!
Your new angle is an excellent idea… trying to get as far away from yourself as possible. I do more memoir’ish writing and feel invigorated when I step off into an alter-ego fiction piece. I especially feel free when I step into a different gender altogether. The content is fresher somehow.
I love, love, love the art pieces. They just drip with personality, creativity, and celebration.
Sue, thank you for commenting and sharing. I’m going to take a look through your blog today – I’d love to read some of these pieces!
Gorgeous art!!
I’m so glad you think so! The art is either that of I&A Featured Artists or, more rarely, my own. I hand-pick each artist and invite them to participate, so I take it to heart when I get a compliment like yours. Thank you!
Looks like a great site. I pair photography and poetry or stories on my site. Thanks for following me.
Very interesting thought indeed…and loved the art work too!
Thank you! Your positive feedback is much appreciated!