(This article originally appeared in Saxophone Today, July/August 2016.)
In this column [Beyond Boundaries: 2014-2017], I have often written about creativity in very practical terms. Creativity requires practice, and once developed, creativity becomes a habit. Of course, even the most productive artists will experience the dreaded blockage. Sometimes, the muse refuses to show up to work, leaving us with nothing but frustration. Here are some thoughts about ways to get through a stubborn patch.
Timelines
If you are working on a specific project, don’t just have a deadline - have a timeline. Start working early, and set mini-deadlines along the way that will help to keep you on track. Never, ever make your personal deadline the *actual* deadline! Try to set up a schedule that has you doing a set amount of work each day, with the hope of completing things a full month ahead of the true deadline. In the best-case scenario, you will have that extra month to polish things up, do some editing, or start on the next project. A little “cushion” can also be a lifesaver for times when you will inevitably fall behind.
Time for Reflection
Creativity is not just about the act of making stuff. It is absolutely vital to spend time thinking about what you are going to create. This time should be completely focused on reflection. I like to sit in a quiet place with no distractions and imagine the finished product. For example, if I am working on a new composition, I try to imagine what the score will look like. What will it sound like? I imagine the premiere performance, and how it will be received. I do this in as much detail as possible. This time must be spent with great discipline. Disconnect from the Internet, put your phone in another room, and concentrate completely on your goals for the work. When you have a detailed image in your mind, it will be easier to get down to business. Having a clear vision of the finished product can provide guidance in the process, and even allow you to mentally work backwards and fill in the blanks.
Give Yourself a Break
Creativity burns a lot of fuel, mentally and physically. When the spirit moves you, be prepared to work as hard as you can for as long as possible, but don’t run yourself into the ground. It is important to eat well and to get enough sleep. I do most of my writing by hand at a large table, but I try to get up and move around at least once an hour. I like to schedule my time in blocks and I make my best effort to honor the schedule as much as possible. We all have bad days, so setting a somewhat conservative schedule will also allow you to occasionally take a break when things just aren’t happening.
Actively Seek Inspiration
Inspiration usually doesn’t just fall into your lap. You have to go hunting. Read books, watch movies, attend concerts, go for long walks, and PAY ATTENTION TO EVERYTHING. Seek inspiration outside of your discipline. Go to art galleries and museums. You never know what is going to stoke your artistic fire. The muse sometimes communicates through a series of coincidents, or synchronicities. We could argue whether perceived meaning in these linked events is real or imagined, but the effect is the same. For example, I was trying to decide if I was going to write some music based on the poetry of William Blake. In a period of weeks, a friend gave me an anthology that was sitting on her desk and I recognized uncredited Blake quotations on the radio and at a choral concert. It felt like the universe was sending me a message to push onward, and I had renewed energy to complete my project.
Have a Mentor
In the arts, private instruction is a vital part of the process. Once in a while, a special teacher will enter your life. That teacher will be more than just a communicator of a trade. If you are fortunate, you will forge friendships with masters of your discipline that go deeper. A mentor will invest in you as a person, and will be a person that you can go to for advice, support, or even just a friendly ear. When you find that special mentor, keep in touch and foster the relationship over the years. (Also, remember to *be* a mentor, when the time comes.)
The Gravitational Force of the Deadline
As many of us know from experience, sometimes we are unable to get anything done, and we procrastinate. (One of my former students had a tee-shirt that said “Procrastinators Unite . . . tomorrow.”) There is an undeniable bit of magic that can happen right at the last minute. The pressure kicks in and the brain submits to “it’s now or never.” When faced with the stark choice of completion or failure, we usually get that boost of survival energy to get the job done. Cranking it out at the last minute can be very stressful, and for mental health reasons, I don’t recommend relying on this method on a regular basis, but coming up to the deadline can pack a particular creative punch. There is also a theory, with good merit, that all that time procrastinating has the effect of reflection, soul-searching, and stumbling into inspiration in unexpected places.
The Creative Life
I don’t know very many people that are occasionally creative. Creativity is a philosophy, a way of seeing the world, and most importantly, a lifestyle. Creative people have a unique way of approaching things, and it seems to seep into even the most mundane aspects of their daily lives. So get out there and live the creative life! §
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