Are You Lost In Writer’s Woods?

As I’ve previously written there are many catalysts that spark our writing prowess. For me, one such animal is a weekly TV series whose script is written along the lines of my genre—Christian non-fiction. It always ends with the main character giving a brief synopsis of the day’s adventure in an email that he writes to a doctor which he holds in high regard. And the email usually ends with either a scripture or a reference to how God moves. This doctor helped place him back on the right path after being lost in the woods of depression where he thought he’d never find his way out.

So is the way of us writers. Sometimes we get lost in the woods of cluttered thoughts, endless edits, or just daydreaming drifts in general. And the way of escape looks rather hopeless. However, a true writer will always find some aspects of their writing character being confirmed which not only helps to build your confidence but also helps you find a path out of those woods.

I’ve been in those woods for some time trying to find my writer’s ‘who’. My path out of those woods was a word, scripture, or phrase the main character would say that my writer’s ear heard and had me running to grab a pen and pad or my laptop so that when that idea hit I could expound on it thus progressing not only with my current book but also my weekly posts. It was as if the wellspring in my creative soul was unstopped and I began flowing in a new river of creativity. And the funny part is… it wasn’t forced it just happened.

“If you do nothing else jot down a thought every day…

When it comes to writing techniques I believe in a sound plan of preparation as the next guy. One of the fundamental steps of that preparation is “if you do nothing else jot down a thought every day. You can use that one jot as the foundation for whatever you would like to say. Be it an essay, short story, novel, or screenplay.” But there are also times when a “suddenly” will spark your creative wellspring and you’ll start writing things you had no idea ever existed within you. Which is the main characteristic of not only a writer but a good one. Your evolution. Here I am in agreement with Mary O’Hara who said, “Sooner or later every writer evolves his own definition of a story. Mine is: A reflection of life plus beginning and end (life seems not to have either) and a meaning.”

The next time you find yourself in those woods don’t panic—listen for the confirmation of your writing character. Take that confidence as a compass placing you on the right path where each step brings you closer to a “suddenly” that sparks your creative wellspring. And when you evolve your own definition of a story you just might surprise yourself when that spark comes — I know I did!