The simple answer to that question is NO. We may never reach our full creative potential, but we should strive for it. We should never limit ourselves. Our souls should always reach for more.
So, since I’m not satisfied with my current creative expression, how do I progress? This speaks to an earlier statement I made about how reading and writing are two stages for me—filling and emptying. When I find myself struggling to express, it’s likely because I’m depleted.
Some call this depletion writer’s block. I recognize it as a need for a refill. I need to read. And I need to read great writing. That doesn’t necessarily mean I need to choose a classic from the high-lit shelf. I need to choose a book written by a great writer in the genre that inspires me, likely the genre I write.
Certainly, I need to read something I love. Something that thrills me. Something that wakes the drowsy muse within me. It’s likely I won’t read that whole book at once because, as I read, ideas will rush toward me like a swollen river. A river of words. My own words. I’ll put the book down and let those words flow through me to the pen or keyboard.
When I’m emptied out, I’ll pick up a book again. Creativity is a process. Ebb and flow. Never ending, as long as you open yourself to more.
Go, now, and create.
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Linda Cassidy Lewis 
I love this. What a great perspective on the creative process. I’m very glad I saw your blog on Freshly Pressed. I’m certainly enjoying your posts.
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Hello, Brie. I’m glad you saw me on Freshly Pressed too. That was quite an experience. Thank you for letting me know you’re enjoying my posts. 🙂
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I completly agree, LInda. We need to be still as well, and let it fill up, and then, it pours forth.
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“We need to be still as well, and let it fill up, and then, it pours forth.” Sometimes we overlook the simplest things, don’t we, Jennifer?
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My problem is that I read too much. I’ll get interested in a book, read it through to the end, and then hunt for another book by the same author. And then I am reading so much that I use that as my excuse to not write.
For example, I had major surgery on June 11, 2010. I kept telling myself that I was taking time off from writing to recuperate from the surgery. But here I am, ten months later, still reading instead of writing. It’s driving me nuts! I completed four novels between June 2007 and April 2010. Haven’t done much since. FRUSTRATING!!!
Lynn
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Oh my, Lynn. I’m sorry to hear that. All I can say is that when I find myself avoiding writing, in whatever way, it’s for one of two reasons. Either the story is still gestating and not ready to be written (so I move on to another) or I’ve been listening to that deadly inner critic that tells me I can’t write, that I don’t have the talent for it. I hope the words start flowing for you again soon.
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Love love love the idea of filling/emptying..
“Some call this depletion writer’s block. I recognize it as a need for a refill.”
Yes ma’am. And I love that your refill method is reading. This is definitely one I’m going to keep close.
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Thank you, Catherine. 🙂 Good luck on emptying out your first novel.
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It’s so, so true! When I get depleted, it always takes good writing to inspire me again. Sometimes a vacation works. 🙂
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Ah, a vacation. I’ve almost forgotten what that is, Michelle. 😉
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