Hands up everyone who's doing drugs!

[naomi_jay]

I just found this article by Robert Winston about creative block (jncluding writers' block). Lots of interesting stuff there about musicians gassing themselves, but obviously I'm more interested in the writerly bit. I've been pretty open about the fact that I've suffered from depression, and how much I hate this idea that misery equals great creativity*, so I like that Winston notes so many of these composers and writers did not produce their best work during periods of depression. Rather, they struggled through the depression caused by lack of inspiration in order to create.**

I'm not sure how I feel about writers' block; whether it really exists, or whether it's a convenient excuse for not working. I definitely have days when I don't want to write, or can't think of anything to write, but if I make myself do it, I usually get in the swing eventually. I can't remember who said it, but I'm a firm believer in the idea that "you can edit anything except a blank page." In other words, even if you've got 10 pages of crap, that's still 10 pages, right?

On the other hand, I struggled horribly with the original sequel to SILVER KISS, BAD DOGS. Every time I opened the document up to work on it, I became more and more convinced it was utter tripe and would never be as good as SILVER KISS. In the end I was afraid to try to work on it. So I scrapped it, started BLOOD HUNT and found I was much happier. Was that writers' block, or just the wrong project at the wrong time? Or just rampant neuroticism on my part?

What do other people think? Writers, do you get writers' block? Non-writers, do you believe in it, or are we all just a bunch of wangsty emo kids who should shut up and get back to work?

*If I could imprint one message upon humanity's collective unconsciousness, it would be that depression and art are not the same thing. You do not have to be some tortured, maudlin, absinthe-swigger to produce works of beauty. Being creative does not automatically make you some darkity-dark Byronic figure, okay?

**Probably worth noting that one of the commentors on this article notes that his best work comes when he's unhappy.

Comments

[nathreee.livejournal.com]

Thing is that I've only ever worked on one project at the time and sometimes you just get stuck. That's not really writer's block, that's a kink in the story. I fix it by taking a breather; when I come back to the story later, it all seems much clearer. Sometimes I fabricate a new perspective, I call my RPG friends and roleplay the stuck scene to see what others would do with it.

I was never a firm believer in writer's block, or even depression, or gaming addiction (which is not totally unrelated), I believe that with willpower and some discipline you can always make sure life goes on and work gets done. No reason to get all angsty and woe is me. There is always something to do.

Which doesn't mean I never had a depression. I spent a few months at home feeling miserable. It happens. But it's never the end of the world, and there's always stuff to do. In our case, stories to write.

[naomi-jay.livejournal.com]

That's pretty much been my attitude too (although I've never tried roleplaying scenes - maybe I will!). I think you can work out whatever problem you're having with a story without turning to drugs or drink! Didn't seem to do Shelley any good in the long run anyway...