Blank pages are not invited to this block party

Oh jeez, ok… not sure what to write here. This just needs to be a short article, but it feels like I’m trying to write a novel right now! It shouldn’t be this hard to write stuff! Ok, I’m just going to start — here goes: What is it about a blank sheet of paper (or a blank screen, for that matter) that can be so intimidating sometimes?

There! I’ve got something down! Ok, I can already feel this getting easier. No, seriously — it sounds strange, but sometimes one of the best ways to get started on something is to just… well, START. I know, I know — thanks, Captain Obvious. But it’s not uncommon to forget this essential part of the creative process when you’re feeling a little blocked.

Ugh, what an awful phrase: Creative block. It takes one of the best things about this business — the freedom to make things, all kinds of different things — and stifles it. Stops it dead in its tracks. Not a good thing, considering that creativity is kind of like a giant boulder. Standing still, it isn’t so exciting, but get it moving and build up some momentum, and you’ve got some power. It can be so hard to roll that boulder up to the top of the hill, but once it’s at the top, it’s got a lot of potential.

So how to get it rolling? Have a creative block party! Either alone, or with some fellow blockheads, go get inspired. Look at some reference materials or anything that is interesting to you. Get the juices flowing by analyzing work that you consider to be a success. Talk through it with your peers. What is it about the work that is attractive? Breaking down a design into its basic elements allows for them to be rearranged into new concepts, ideas, and treatments that have their own life. This exercise can be a good jumping-off point for your next project.

Now you should have some direction, but you might still be stuck. Try reaching for a pen or pencil before you reach for the mouse. Get some rough ideas down on paper first, whether its sketching, listmaking, or just making notes about your ideas. The simple act of drawing or writing by hand can sometimes knock that extra idea loose.

Once you’ve made some progress and gotten some good use out of the creative momentum you’ve built up, it often helps to step away from the project with some clear loose ends in sight. Knowing which elements will need your attention when you return to the project can be a built-in way of jump-starting your next work session.

Wow, check it out — the page is full! Whew. That wasn’t so bad — it feels good to get stuff done and move on to the next project. Hopefully I can keep these creative juices flowing while I’ve got ’em. But if they start to wane, I know I’ll get them going again.

Read more posts by Mae