Writers and Artists on Creative Habits, Accepting Self-Doubt, and the Rewards of Perseverance

Feature by

Anyone who writes, draws, paints, sculpts — anyone who creates — knows two things: inspiration and discovery (the twin muses) visit those who sit down and do the work and perseverance is often its own reward.

Sometimes the blank page stares back. At times like these, a gentle nudge can help. Here’s some thinking, advice, and encouragement from working writers and artists we’ve featured on Discover.

Mica Angela Hendricks is an artist and author who loves to collaborate with her young daughter on detailed, fantastical illustrations. Check out her work at Busy Mockingbird.

Mica Angela Hendricks on pulling that thread of interest and giving your creative endeavor a shot:

What motivates me is just wondering if I can do something. I’ve not been trained in embroidery, for example, but at one time it really interested me, so I wanted to see if I could work it into my drawings by stitching into the paper. I teach myself everything I can about something, and then jump in and give it a try. I’ve done the same with sculpting, sewing, resin casting, jewelry, miniature portraits, painting on insects, and more. Basically, anything that interests me! I educate myself a bit, and then jump in and see how it works out.

Embroidery experiments: adding textures with stitching.
Mica Angela Hendricks’ embroidery experiments: adding textures to her art with stitching.

Ann Morgan read 196 books in 2012. The project spawned her book, The World Between Two Covers, and informed her novel, Beside Myself. Learn more about the project and its outcomes.

Ann Morgan on how her side project, A Year of Reading the World, influenced her creatively:

In many ways, A Year of Reading the World played a big part in this book [Beside Myself] because I would never have developed my creative writing in the way I have if it hadn’t been for all the mind-expanding and inventive translated literature I’ve read during and since 2012.

Ann Morgan
Ann Morgan.

We featured Jack Todd᾿s work in a celebration of the Quebec Writers’ Federation.

Jack Todd, from “Writing Tragedy,” on embracing self-doubt as a writer:

If you choose to write you will have to accept that you will always fall short, that you will come up against the boundaries of talent and perception, that you will always feel some more profound truth lies just beyond your grasp.

–“Writing Tragedy” by Jack Todd

Danny Gregory has written nearly a dozen best-selling books on art and creativity and is the co-founder of Sketchbook Skool.

Danny Gregory on creative perseverance:

My advice: keep making and stop critiquing. Don’t ask others’ opinions before you are at a solid solution. And think about how what you are doing matters to the world in some way, how your creativity solves problems or brings joy. Get out of your head and your own concerns and see how you can make a difference with your art. It’s just a drawing, you say? Well, what if drawing something can bring you peace? Or give you an insight you can share? What if that drawing stimulates your imagination so you can solve a problem that’s been vexing your family or your coworkers?

Danny Gregory: self portrait
Danny Gregory: self portrait.

Alec Nevala-Lee is a novelist and freelance writer who blogs every day. Yes. Every day.

Alec Nevala-Lee on the rewards of a creative habit:

But in less tangible respects, the payoff has been enormous. Publishing five hundred words every day has forced me to master a new bag of tricks, and as a result, I’ve become more efficient in every aspect of my working life. Even something as straightforward as the Quote of the Day, which was originally intended to fill space when I didn’t feel like writing a full post, has turned into an education in itself: I publish a new quote day in and day out, even when I have a longer post waiting in the wings, and with fourteen hundred quotes and counting, I’ve had to look further afield to subjects — like coding, architecture, and theater — that offer unexpected perspectives on the creative process.

Sarah Einstein is the author of Mot: A Memoir and numerous essays and short stories. Her work has been awarded a Pushcart Prize, a Best of the Net, and the AWP Prize in Creative Nonfiction.

Sarah Einstein on the power of writing:

And, for me, this is the power of good creative nonfiction. It reminds us to see the world through more than our own jaundiced eyes; it instructs us in what it is to be a person in this world. It offers us opportunities to be better people, because it grants us access to ways of seeing that we don’t ourselves possess.

brollies

For more inspiration and advice, explore our posts on writing, creativity, and art.

49 Comments

    2. I agree, an Act of Bravery, putting yourself out there for all to see! Knowing that some will Judge you, while others will just look to appreciate your creation and find something in it that resonates with them 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Thank you all for your exceptional insights. I have also been advised to work toward my vision of an authentic life. That way, when you face the blank page, the characters(players) in the story line will tell you what is going on. It’s akin to tapping into the ‘collective consciousness’. I’ve found this to be the case as the stories unfold while I “channel” this.

    Liked by 8 people

  8. That’s some really great advice! For me, when I’m not able to write about a particular topic, I take really tiny, small steps, like going one word at a time. And after a couple of lines, my brain is back to autopilot.

    Liked by 5 people

  10. Reblogged this on Wyrdwend and commented:
    Many of the observations made here are astute. And self-doubt used to bother me, as did rejection. Now I merely consider rejection to be another form of Impetus (to both Work and Succeed) and self-doubt just another method of technique and performance, similar to that of my self-induced melancholy.

    Occasional self-doubt, whether self-induced or triggered by external forces beyond your control can be both a powerful motivator towards superior performance and Work, and like self-induced melancholy, an important source of inspiration for both new material and corrective progression of your existing Work.

    Do not flee self-doubt, Employ it as an Ally and an Agent of Espionage for the future. As a spy (a double agent) pointing the way towards what you could be, not as an assassin of what you are not.

    Liked by 6 people

  13. Ahh!! this post blew my mind. I love art, creativity in any form and writing. Each and every line in this article is so beautiful and also true. Fact:”anyone who creates — knows two things: inspiration and discovery.” Mica Angela’s work is really creative. Danny Gregory has got inspirational thoughtful words. Thank you for posting this lovely post.:)
    Sometimes the blank page stares back!!!

    Liked by 6 people

  16. What a wonderful collection of creatives you have put together here for us! Many thanks. It is so encouraging to read about the experiences of these experts in their given fields. I am plugging away at building a do-it-yourself colouring book, which is a relatively new idea, combining art education with a self help therapeutic resource. It feels tough sometimes, going in a different direction than the tide, in this case the huge trend in very beautiful adult colouring books now available for mindfulness, anti-stress, and other good mental health purposes. After reading your article I feel more positive and supported in experimenting, seeing what will happen when try something new, and sustaining a bit more confidence that it will work out in the end if I just keep on plugging away until it is finished. Thank you!

    Liked by 4 people

  27. To create is to lay bare the most private depths of your own soul, hoping to stir someone else, to share and free the things that if kept inside may well strangle you to death. Thanks for sharing!

    Liked by 5 people

  28. Better to try and fail then do nothing! I use to say I don’t have any talents! Now I’ve discovered me and sorry if this sounds conceded but I really do love me! I think that’s a good place to be! I hope everyone finds themselves and falls in love with their gifts and talents!

    Liked by 2 people

  37. The pursuit of creativity is riddled with self doubt. Greatness is not a gift, it is a struggle with the world, beating the odds to make your art shine and spread its wings.

    Liked by 1 person

  38. Thanks for this post! I love the different perspectives, especially since I often feel inadequate in my writing, I know it has to be forced sometimes to come out naturally later.

    Liked by 4 people

  40. This quote succinctly states why I chose to start a blog
    If you choose to write you will have to accept that you will always fall short, that you will come up against the boundaries of talent and perception, that you will always feel some more profound truth lies just beyond your grasp.

    –“Writing Tragedy” by Jack Todd
    I’ve been contemplating creating one for a while, but I was discouraged by the idea that no one would want to hear what I had to say. Eventually, I gathered enough nerve to say “screw it” and start one anyway. I was definitely surprised by its reception among friends and family. Even though I am never completely satisfied with my posts, I look at them with pride (even if I only have 2 so far).

    Liked by 6 people

  43. This was a good read. With creating there is always that fight within to expose yourself to yourself as some times you do not know what you will end up with until the project is done.

    Liked by 2 people

  44. Every time when I write or draw something I think it’s not good enough. It’s kind of funny story but all people who I met on my way always thought I am so creative, funny, open and friendly. I think opposite about myself. Dunno why. Few days ago I decided to change my life, leave my job and try to write for some magazines 😛 Maybe some people (like me) are too hard on themselves. I am anyway! 😉

    Liked by 3 people

  45. Inspiring article, pushing limits is what keeps the creativity ever so fresh…and when you are stuck, a good look at the world presents the ultimate experiment of a lifetime.

    Liked by 1 person

  47. Wow these are excellent perspectives! Personally I don’t think any form of art (especially when we create things for our own pleasure) should require a conscious perserverance. However I do love the motivation ❤

    Liked by 3 people

Comments are closed.