WAG - A Meditation on the Creative Process
(The following post probably won’t match the impressive title, but heh, what a way to start!)
It can be an art: pulling something out of nothing (and hoping that it adds up to more than the sum of its parts).
More than once, I’ve heard of the battle between the creator and the blank page. Though some say having a clean slate can be freeing, others are daunted by the vast openness.
I know a teacher, and sometime painter, that has the habit of splashing some paint on the canvas to counter the “whiteness.”
Personally, except for a smattering in elementary school and the year I spent trying to make a personal copy of one of Monet’s Water Lilies (long story, don’t ask), I haven’t done much painting.
Nevertheless, I’ve learned how to adapt the approach to the written word. When facing an essay, report, or article (often hours before the deadline, many times I’ve started the process by writing a quick stream-of-consciousness grant.
“Okay. I’m not screwed…yet.
I still have time. I can do this. I just need to focus.
Let’s see… 10 pages due in 14 hours. Easy. Sleep is for losers anyway…”
It’s a combination of an uplifting rallying speech and the private lies one says locker room to get all “psyched” when matched against a superior opponent. They’re designed to help you feel better about writing and fill up space on the page (it does more of the second, but every so often I do feel inspired and can’t wait to write… after one more FreeCell game [I sometimes wonder if Gates included the built in games on his system to keep people busy doing nothing, and thus, further protecting his monopoly]).
Anyway, [pausing for a game of Hearts… maybe two, five] once you have your initial get-the-ball rolling rant, one needs to look to other sources to keep the momentum going. Every day events may provide material, as might the news or research one may do (NOTE: “research” can range from perusing U.S. News & World Report to reviewing whatever page the TV Guide opens to).
Sometimes things just pop into my head (like… wait for it… like How much longer do you think the Devil will wait before collecting the soul Carrot Top obviously sold to gain a long term contract with ATT? Hopefully, not too much longer). Other times, topics tumble about my head for an extended period of time before being tossed out.
It nothing presents itself, you can always meander on about nothing; all while hoping a muse will show up. In Greek mythology there were 9 mistresses of inspiration. You’d think I’d bump into one sooner or later.
If they still don’t show and you’ve exhausted all other options, or don’t feel like doing any more work, you can always tout high-minded musings the inspiration process.
Not that I’d ever do anything as desperate as that.
'Waiting_for_my_muse'
