Short Circuit

 

Ever blow a fuse?  Just when you want to turn something on, the power goes off.  It can be frustrating and perplexing, disruptive and damaging.

Electricity is a good analogy for a writer's instinct.  

And a short circuit is the closest analogy for a writer's initial fear.

The impulse to write comes.

Fast.  In the moment.

A certain electricity.

And just as quickly, it short circuits.

The moment passes.

Instead, the would-be-writer is left facing the mirror.  Wondering what just happened.  

Facing the fear behind instead of the writing in front.  

Shall I list the fears?  It is impossible!  Each writer is unique, so their fears are unique.  

Some fear examples of my own life include worrying about acceptance, comparing myself to others, doubting that I have anything important to say, feeling arrogant and not wanting to show my skills, old voices from my ancestors, fatigue, distraction, context and setting, lack of planning.  And then there is the question, Does it matter?  (we'll return to this fear in other posts as well).

So to be a writer, one must learns how to repair a short circuit.

To be writer, one must become an Emotional Electrician.

You will have to open the fuse box of your mind and your heart, and figure out the problem(s).  

You may have to replace some thoughts.

You may have to rewire your brain.

You may need to learn some new spiritual skills as a bypass or buffer.

Perhaps most interesting of all: 

After fixing the basic problems, the Writer-As-Emotional-Electrician will need learn how to harness the energy that caused the short circuit in the first place.

Exploring the fear.

Getting to know the fear.

Befriending the fear.

Only then can the true power of writing skill be unlocked.

Just as our fears are unique, our path to befriending them will be unique.  Some people find empowerment with other people, in friends groups.  Tolkien, Lewis, and Dyson met every Tuesday morning at a pub ("The Eagle and Child") to discuss and critique each others' writings.

Other people join Writer Groups.  Other people take classes to build confidence.

For me, I have found the more other people were involved in person, the more short circuits I had.  My fears related to others caused me to do a FULL STOP on my creativity and energy.  And the more time I spent in solo meditation, exercise, prayer, and solo research, the more my energy flowed.

Each person rewires their brain differently.

Each person befriends their fears differently.

Good luck, Godspeed, and make sure to Stay Grounded.