Writing despite it all, and starting where you are
Some writing advice for starting out, being stuck in a rut, or feeling the need to come back to yourself
Most folks who’ve read past posts from me will know I’m writing a historical fiction novel. Technically two, if you count the Dr James Barry one on the back burner.
Even now I’ve made a good start on the Byron book front (5000 words!) thinking these facts feels quietly like one of those fourth wall breaking “Yep, that’s me” moments.
I’m wondering how I got here, after telling myself I’d never be able to write fiction, even though it made my heart droop like the ears of a sad little puppy.
I’d tried and failed multiple times to write my one book that’s in us all, if the saying’s to be believed.
I’d written plenty of short stories, poetry and poetic prose during my Creative Writing BA, then MA. But nothing that felt like ‘real art’, or ‘good enough’ in hindsight, however proud of it I was at the time.
Looking back, a lot of it doesn’t read like it came from me at all, but from someone I was trying to be, pushing to convince myself I was.
As it happens, the problem seems rooted in another pop-culture invented quote. That thing Albert Einstein most likely didn’t say, about the fish and its inability to climb a tree.
The sentiment holds water, no matter whether a genius said it or not.
I think, up till very recently, I’d been trying to climb trees to find my art. Struggling for breath outside my natural habitat, straining to look up for what other people were achieving, instead of letting my fins carry me on my own way through the river.
But enough self-indulgent metaphors. If you’re stuck in a similar rut, here’s some advice I’d give on beginning to forge your way out and onwards.
#1 - Start where you are
Instead of looking too far ahead, up, or over the figurative fence at what that multi-talented, multi-accoladed creative type is doing, get in touch with what means most to you now.
What’s a small or non-writerly thing you’ve done that’s made you excited or proud recently?
What are you loving, reading, watching, listening to, engaging with?
What’s the juicy fruit of a long, deep, raw conversation you’ve had with someone?
What’s already inside, patiently waiting, or scratching to come out?
Recognise it’s both a luxury and a right to have sacred space and time to ask yourself these questions. And if you can, spend a while journaling, free writing, meditating, or just allowing yourself to do absolutely nothing except think, wonder, and dream.
It might take a bit of work each week, or each day, to connect these things to your creativity. Or you might find your thoughts and experiences almost instantly start to transform into stories.
You can do this as you’re just starting out, when you feel you need to refocus or reset, or (like me) as part of a regular commitment to keeping in touch with yourself.
Learning about myself has been the most important component in getting to know my creative self too.
Do you think you might try getting to know who and where you are? Or have you already, and has it helped? I’d love to hear your stories.
I’ll be back in a couple of weeks with part #2, on being inspired by what’s come before.
But until then reader, keep well, and take heart.