Writer’s Block
August 26, 2008 · Print This Article
Writing is a strange discipline. You have to make yourself do it. You have to sit down and make yourself write. And yet, every writer knows that when it comes to the creation of the written word, it often feels more like you found the words than made up the words.
And so, when you get writer’s block, there isn’t really much to do except wait patiently and keep making yourself write.
I feel the same is true with prayer. You can’t create certain feelings within yourself with prayer. You can’t make yourself be happy or exultant or any of that. You just have to pray and take whatever the Spirit sends you.
Poet and writer L.L. Barkat is looking for a poem. She admits that she seems to find them more than write them. And that means she’ll have to wait patiently.
Will I…
Will I ever…
Will I ever write a poem again?
These are the anxious thoughts that plague me when it’s been a while since I’ve found a poem. I say found a poem, because in essence this is what happens to me. Poetry is not something I can force. Indeed, I cannot force deep writing of any kind (okay, so I should remember this now that I am stuck, again, on my next chapter in God in the Yard.)
Instead, my deep writing happens kind of like this… mystery, open spaces (mentally), serendipity, inspiration, illumination, resolve.…Read More.
I know what you mean here, in relation to both writing and prayer. Good one.
Gordon,
Writing is indeed a strange discipline. One can practice, practice, and practice, develop collections of work and bigger collections of ideas and suddenly one day feel “Will I ever again?” Just as suddenly, you know that you will again because you are helpless to do otherwise. And then…is that the Great Author Spirit you hear guffawing nearby?
Diane L. Harris
http://www.steppingintothelight.net
I’m a Mount Hermon attendee whom you encouraged to blog. I am enjoying! I am an artist who loves art and the sheer joy of creating. I also have a line of art inspired by a dark and horrific time in my life, but God took the painful and made it powerful. My little sister, Amy Latus, was murdered by a boyfriend in 2002. I didn’t think domestic violence could happen in a close, loving, Christian family like mine. I was wrong. After Amy died I wrote a grief book, “You Died, and I Wanted to Die, Too,” and that’s how I truly felt. Then, one night while watching a beautiful sunset I cried out to God and asked him to show me my sister was OK. I couldn’t bear the pain of her violent death. Suddenly, in the clouds of the sunset I realized I was seeing a trumpeting angel in the clouds. For me it was God’s assurance that Amy was safe in heaven with Him. I began to paint the angel cloud art and added poems I wrote to encourage women. I know raise money for domestic violence organizations with my art. So, art can be useful and powerful, too, if we leave it in God’s hands. Blessings to you!