Q: How do you visualize
something that is not
physical, like a state
of being or a state of
mind? I don’t know how
to visualize the outcome
I want because it’s not
really a thing it’s more
a state of mind. It’s
easy to visualize a car
or a house but how do
you visualize creativity
or happiness at sitting
at the computer. How do
you visualize a flood of
new ideas or creative
mastery or ownership?
Do I visualize myself
winning the Pulitzer and
let the universe send me
the script idea? Do I
visualize a standing
ovation for one of my
plays? Do I visualize
myself eager and happy
sitting down at the
computer everyday? See
my problem is that what
I am really wanting is
to be happy and excited
about writing and the
creative process. To
have the creative
process be fun and
joyful and not ruled by
fear of failure or
ridicule. How do you
visualize something like
that?
A: You visualize the end
result... all the feelings
and consequences of being
beyond the finished product.
The joy. The sense of
accomplishment. As well as
all the things you suggested
(good ideas!) Remember what
it was like when writing was
fun? Visualize that. Relive
it.
Then just putt around when
you write, but only for as
long as it’s somewhat fun.
Challenges and blank pages
are a normal part of the
process. But I think you
should be prepared to leave
it altogether. Quit! Pursue
other opportunities in your
life that offer creative
fulfillment. You can always
return to writing when you
feel like it. You said you
are “a playwright”...
instead, just be you, and
let the definitions change.
Although I mostly write for
a living, I don’t much call
myself a writer, it seems
too serious. I just do
whatever is in front of me.
If one day, or in the
future, it’s not writing,
then fine. A title kind of
puts you in a box; and
worse, a box with
expectations. You don’t have
to really quit, but allowing
yourself this out could take
a lot of pressure off of
you. Besides, if it’s not
fun, why would you want to
write anyway?
