Antidote to Whining

My antidote, to whining about creating stories, is to create a new project.

This week, a project far in the back of my mind, suddenly came forward and demanded a lot of attention. It had been just a funny idea, a concept, something to work on years from now.

Then I saw the characters in a tough, very tough situation and I had to start writing.

I don't know if this happens to other people, but for writers this is a common tale: we're just going about our lives and suddenly an idea arrives and we must write and write and ignore the rest of the world -- if possible -- and write until our hand or fingers or head hurt. It's an exhilarating time, full of suspense and joy. I've heard that runners experience a "runner's high" after running for a period of time. This is the "writer's high".

And we all know that joyfulness is a great cure for depression and sadness. It's also great for whining. I feel rejuvinated, happy. I feel like I really am still a great story teller.

My advise to others struggling with creative block: start a new project.