Writing And The Creative Imagination:
How To Overcome Writer's Block?

by Craig Lock

"Life is about finding, then following the dream... and one's dream/vision comes to reality through believing in yourself, making the commitment and then creating it."

This was a reply to a question in a literary magazine on how I use my creative imagination (or subconscious mind) to overcome writer's block. Just thought I'd share a few thoughts on how to use the amazing powers of your creative imagination to the fullest in overcoming "writer's block"...

Letting you know that I start all my novels with a BASIC PLOT (plan) and don't have much idea how it's all going to end up ("pan out". I don't use techniques, like "mindmapping" and have found that by writing one chapter at a time then simply "letting go", the story simply flows onto the next naturally (at least I think it does!).

When I get "stuck" for a while, I take a long walk along the stunningly beautiful beaches here, which really relaxes me and then the thoughts simply "flow into my head". This takes hold and I get a clear vision ofthe next small step ahead (always)- through the amazing powers of the subconscious mind , which is where our INSPIRATION comes from..... and this leads, impels (nice word!) us into ACTION.

I study and write quite a bit about the amazing powers of the human mind...and truly believe the "powers" are available to ALL writers, when they simply relax and trust their intuition.

"Let Go and Let God (or whatever God means to you personally), Spirit, the Universe* reveal plot (or ANY IDEA to move forward) to you" through your CREATIVE IMAGINATION, our "connection with the Divine"...

and it never fails to work for me (in all areas of life, I believe)!

* I could go on and on here: Infinite Intelligence, Universal Consciousness, Infiniite Spirit, Higher Self, etc. Stop, Craig - this is an article on writing and not religion.

Enough "spiritual thoughts" and back to writing!

N.B: I truly believe we ALL have this amazing power within us (not only writers) and like any skill, it just needs to be developed with practice. The creative imagination can solve any problem you may encounter down the "river of life".

Hope this may help in whatever endeavour you choose (artistic or otherwise), as it does help me move forward daily in my "funny" situation here (and "funny job"), as I slide down the "razor-blade" of life. That's a metaphor, by the way!

Craig Lock

P.S: Sorry about all the "eyes" in the article, but didn't know how to write it any other way. Perhaps I should have left the "problem" to my creative imagination!

" I truly believe we can all create and enthuse magic into 'so-called humdrum little lives'. You don't just have to be the choreorapher, or the conductor of your life script - rather paint your life as the the masterpiece it could (one day) be."

"There is a rich tapestry of talent in every human soul, that flows through (and from), the Source of our Being, the Spirit of God, Life. So don't spend your days stringing and tuning your instrument; start making and playing your unique tunes of music now."

- Craig Lock