Unblocking Writer's Block: Part II

On Motivation

Last week, I discussed the impact a cluttered and doubt-ridden mindset will do to the individual in Part I of the Unblocking Writer’s Block series. This week, I discuss the role of motivation—or lack thereof—and its contribution towards the illusion of writer’s block.

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Perhaps there may be nothing amiss with the writer’s mentality towards their work. Often, the problem can be the emotion attached to it. The driving force behind the desire to create. In other words, the motivation, which, in my belief, is vastly misinterpreted. The writer may moan at their desk, protesting the words that are locked within, purely because they do not have the desire or inspired spark to unlock the door. Rubbish.

This is not to demean the suffering writer; it is very difficult to have a desire that the body fights against. Many years of my own have been spent in front of a page that begged to be filled, only for my feelings to get in the way. It is a struggle, but it is not impossible to defeat.

Philippe de Champaigne, Saint Augustine (c. 1645-1650)

The Flame of Creation

Life is a series of Hero’s Journeys. Accordingly, each obstacle we as individuals face—or challenge we wish to conquer, is a cycle that must be completed. An arc. All which cannot first start without a motivation.

When discussing storytelling, it is strongly advised that the protagonist, and supporting characters, all have a goal to strive towards and a motivation to drive them there. It is obvious. Without which, there would be no story to tell, and there would be no reader to care.

So, if life is a series of Hero’s Journeys, why is it we define motivation as a feeling? For it is not a feeling. It is a reason. A reason to continue. Oxygen for the fire that is creation. When confronted with the seeming lack of motivation, one must question, what is the fuel for their flame?

In other words, what is the why that disallows the individual to cease?

Establish this. Get to know it intimately. Become obsessed with every crevice of the answer.

It is understandable that unlike a condensed story, however, these cycles or goals do not appear as urgent. The stakes do not appear as high, so it is easy to disregard and schedule time for another day. But it is well known that if our goals are so easily rescheduled, said day will only continuously be pushed further and further away.

Writing is important, though it is entirely up to the writer to view it that way. So it is worth forewarning that before exiting the Ordinary World, know that feelings alone are not strong enough to complete the journey.

Hubert Robert, Project for the Transformation of the Grande Galerie du Louvre (1796)

Art Creates Art

However, there can be no journey if there is no call to adventure. Many creatives, I find, do have their why, and that may not be their problem. So, what most may instead be searching for when feeling this lack is the friction, the spark that lights the fire. They seek inspiration.

One of the most wonderful things about the spirit of creation is that it adores its own expansion. It mingles with the possibility to form, to change, to grow, so the individual must allow it to explore new paths of wonder.

The emotional creative will benefit the most from indulging in art, for its essence is to stir the feelings of any who encounters it. Art, I mean, in all forms: writing, music, painting, sculpture, architecture, creation itself is there to provide every human being the spark for life. It comes in abundance just waiting to be played with, seeking to explore new ways it can be expressed.

Art will guide the individual. It will surely start the fire and allow them to understand exactly what it is that triggers the emotional desire to create, to work on the passion project at hand. Though, what it cannot do is ensure the will of the writer, and neither will the motivation if it lacks the strength.

Wright Barker, Circe (1864-1941)

The Strength of the Why

Writers, in their nature, are emotional creatures. They open their hearts and bear their souls as if they were the sun, needing to be felt, needing to be seen. What then must they do to remain focus on the motivated after lighting the fire?

I would ask, is their why worth sacrifice?

Discipline is a word the creative may cower from. Most operate as a steam train, running on the coals of mad obsession, and thus have no need for the word. But for others, those who live by the wind of their emotions, they struggle to abide by structure and order.

But hear this: The Hero does not return home after the trials. The Hero does not return home after the approach to the inmost cave, nor does he return home after the ordeal. In almost every stage of the journey The Hero is sacrificing everything: his old life, his beliefs, his understanding of the world. None of which is something he wants to do, but his why is strong enough to carry his spirit towards his goal.

I do not believe in solely displaying a sacrificing discipline to achieve the required result without passion. There must be some level of motivation behind the action. It is unfortunate that many today have not heard the call to adventure yet desire the reward. Without a strong enough desire or passion to create, the work becomes tedious, uninspired, complete for the sake of completion, without heart.

However, if one were to embody their why, and completely believe in it, then on the rainy days of the soul, that creative would still be able to sit at their desk and write. All it takes is practice. Practice which can be acquired by perhaps deciding to do a task the individual does not feel compelled to do instead of surrendering to the comforts of desire. When habituating this practice of self-sacrifice, one will build a tolerance to it, strengthening the dream of the creative, banishing the so-called writer’s block, and bringing them closer towards their desired outcome.

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