posted March 10, 2007 12:49 AM         

I've always written poetry, so I took a poetry writing course and, again, I can no longer write.

I learned a lot from my instructor, and he has encouraged me in many ways... from entering writing contests (I won first for fiction and second for poetry) to leading an area high school's literary journal. But I feel that I learned so much that everything I write is crap.

I've been in this rut now for over a year.

I know I'm not the greatest writer on the planet, but I also know that there are people who enjoy my "stuff." It is not compliments I am seeking.

It's more a matter of I know what I want to write and nothing I attempt comes close.

Does anyone else experience this? How do you deal with it?

posted March 10, 2007 10:03 PM         

nothing...

One of the worst feelings in the world

------------------
Live your life without regret, don't be someone they forget. Your heart is not yours to keep, it's yours to give...

posted March 11, 2007 08:35 AM         

I, too experience this from time to time....

I see the creative block as one of the ebbs of the creative flow of life----Writing for me is a HUGE creative expression, and when I begin to loose my creativity, I am not able to write....

It is then that I take time for meditation, contemplation, stargazing, gardening, engaging myself in all of my favirot things...then creativity springs..

I am also often inspired by moving events, people in my life, but then again, one has to be in the creative frame of mind to transform the experiences to flow on paper.

I try to switch up my creative expressions from time to time, writing is my fav, with photography as a close second, then gardening, cooking....

I have also found that if I keep in the space, I mean speak and relate like I write, then I tend to stay in the flow moreso. ALot of folks can not understand me when I speak poetically...but I don't care, that is me!!!

Altercations in realtiy can also help put one in a creative space and give your creativity a jump start.

Hope I have provided you with a least a bit of insight and have made sense!!

posted March 11, 2007 09:49 PM         

Yes, it is the worst feeling in the world. It's like the more I study literature, the less competent I feel. I can't even do it for fun.

I hope it's part of an ebb and flow. I worry though because I stopped writing fiction a few years ago. That's a long time. I've written very few poems in the last year since I took the course. I used to write regularly.

I do have other creative outlets... I also enjoy photography and cooking. Right now I'm busy with planning a wedding which will be a huge creative expression for my fiance and me. But what I really want to do is write.

I tend to think in poetic terms, so that helps, but I have yet to create a full piece that I'm really pleased with.

I had a "voice" and then I gained more literary knowledge and somehow lost my voice. Perhaps it is just reassimilating???

Anyway, thanks for your replies. It is a frustrating thing.

posted March 12, 2007 09:55 AM         

You are planning a wedding???

I think that may be in itself a bit of the problem---your energies are focused elsewhere..Not to mention stress and physical exaustion!

Just try to go with the flow, and do not worry about it too much...

Another thought I had is do you feel you may have been over-influenced by the classes you took?

Writing will come back to you---creativity is always there, never leaves. Who knows maybe you will be writing about weddings soon!!!

Blessings

posted March 13, 2007 09:15 AM         

From my current perspective I would say yes as it has caused a tremendous blockage for me, but perhaps in the long run I will reap the benefits.

You're right... creativity never leaves. It gives me some relief to have this belief validated.

You have been helpful. Thank you.

posted March 13, 2007 08:59 PM         

I know.

I've been very focused on creating "things" lately... invites and decos for my wedding. Photography. Maybe it's too much to ask to expect my creativity to move in all these directions at once.

It's almost spring. Today it was over 70 degrees. I feel full and inspired. Production makes me feel so real. Like giving birth. Every single time.

posted March 14, 2007 11:49 AM         

Try going back to the time before you took your classes, mentally.....

Another thing I thought about is inspiration...Often my patients (I am a RN) and they and their stories and lives inspire me. As a matter of fact I am writing a book about some of the profound encounters I have made with patients and attach a spiritual truth to each story. Talk about block, I have not worked on in in awhile as I have been into weird poetry and am thinking about adding poetry to the book in addition to the stories....

You take beautiful pics maybe something you photograph will be of inspriation to you!!

BLessings

posted March 14, 2007 11:59 AM         

I am from Ohio and recently while communicating with a new myspace friend, a band from Colombus just re-membering that Beautiful state inspired me to write---

Here is an excerpt of what I wrote him....

O, how reminiscent are the green rolling hills, tall trees, dark forests and soft grass that one can actually tread barefoot on~~~The vision of Amish farms with Holsteins and Jersey’s lazily grazing in the fertile pasture fields. The unmistakable clatter of shod Standardbreads as they carry those simple folk to and fro…......