Fighting Through Fear (or Starting a New Work and Maintaining One's Creativity), by Laurie Faria Stolarz

            For this month, we’re exploring the notion of beginnings. Where does one start? How does one find inspiration? And, what does one do when they don’t know what to write? I thought, first, I’d list out some of the common fears that can and do have a debilitating effect on creativity:

    1.     Being vulnerable. Sharing one’s work with others. 

    2.     Fearing that one is going to be judged for their work. 

    3.     Fearing one’s writing will reveal something too personal.

    4.     Market demands. The idea that one’s work isn’t “hot” enough, or interesting enough, or high concept enough, or “fill-in-the-blank-with-a-buzz-word” here.

    5.     Market demands. The idea that one’s work doesn’t meet the demands-of-the day of publishers. 

    6.     Fearing one’s work doesn’t fit inside a box.

    7.     Having your work read and judged by those you don’t know (but maybe respect anyway).

    8.     Fearing your work won’t sell to a publisher – or anyone.

    9.     Fearing your work will sell to a publisher but that no one will buy it/find it.

    10.  Fearing your work will sell to a publisher but then be poorly reviewed.

    11.  Fearing your work will sell to a publisher, then bomb, and then you’ll get cut/dropped by                  the publisher and/or your agent.

    12.  Fearing that your new work will not be as good as your last.
 
            With all of these fears – (this is only a partial list, mind you) – how can one possibly be creative? A good question. 

            First, I think knowing one isn’t alone in these fears is a very good start. I write this partial list after having sold eighteen books. I’m also echoing, here, some of the many fears fellow writers talk about. I’ve spoken to many writers over the years about some of these very fears, many of whom, from the outside, appear to have an ideal writing career. 

            Second, I think it’s important to shut off the “voices” listed in fears 1-12 above. Try to remember a time when you wrote for the sheer love of it. What inspired you then? Likely, it had little to do with marketing, sales, or reception. 
            Third, while I could give you a laundry list of ideas/ways to start a new work, I think it’s more important to explore the intention of your work. Go deep. What is the story you truly want to tell? What is the question you profoundly want to flesh out and explore? 
            When writing Jane Anonymous, for example, I was so inspired by the notion of a character who isn't able to move on from trauma. I explored the question of what happens when one can’t move on, when others want you to but you simply can’t. I asked myself what the effects of that would be, how it would impact those in the character’s life, in addition to the character herself. I kept focused there, fueled by these questions (and others), despite when editors told me to change things. 
            Don't get me wrong, finding that intention isn’t always easy. It takes time and reflection, without “voices 1-12,” above, pulling you in inauthentic directions. I think it’s important to be open to receiving ideas (because they come from all over and you never know when one will strike) and being mindful of the stories that really resonate with you or fascinate you in some way - those you want to explore more. 

            Just the other day, for example, someone was telling me that in her time of trauma she liked visiting an eldercare facility for those with dementia. She liked it because she got to know a woman who lived there. She would tell the woman the details of her trauma over and over again, as though anew, because the woman wouldn’t remember the details from one visit to the next. Telling the woman her story in this safe environment – again and again – and receiving the woman’s compassion and kindness each time, was gratifying for this person, and so this relationship continued for months. 
            Stories like that – different, unique, from interesting/imperfect/humanizing perspectives – motivate me to start new work. 

            And, lastly, because, as mentioned above, you never know when inspiration will hit, I think it's important to always keep a notebook (or otherwise) handy. Get into the habit of writing down questions, visuals, ideas, specifics... I think it helps one become more aware and receptive to stories. And, lastly, for real this time, I think it's important to note that not every idea will take. Be open to exploring and seeing where your intention leads. It may not be a book. It could be an article, a short story, or just fodder for future work - a deepening of your understanding of humankind perhaps. 
            Best of luck on staying inspired as you begin your new work.