Burnout happens when people who have previously been highly committed to a job lose all interest and motivation. [snip] It mainly strikes highly-committed, passionate, hard working and successful people – and it therefore holds a special fear for those who care passionately about their careers and about the work they do. …
In which a bunch of authors & editors are invited to answer the question: How do you deal with creative exhaustion? This series was initially inspired by an article on author Steph Swainston’s willing exit from her two-book deal. Swainston didn’t pinpoint burnout as the reason for leaving her writing ‘day …
In which a bunch of authors & editors are invited to answer the question: How do you deal with creative exhaustion? Author Rob Hood once told me to aim for just one sentence a day. It’s often achievable even in the most desperate state, & it can lead to much more. …
In which a bunch of authors & editors are invited to answer the question: How do you deal with creative exhaustion? Author Chris Lawson explains how his stories are so good (and rare): passion. Creative exhaustion is my default mode. In recent years the only reliable way I have broken …
In which a bunch of authors & editors are invited to answer the question: How do you deal with creative exhaustion? In certain writing circles dedicated to professionalism & achievement, there’s a question we use to test ourselves. The question is ‘What would Garth do?’ When I have tapped out …
In which a bunch of authors & editors are invited to answer the question: How do you deal with creative exhaustion? Kaaron Warren is a powerhouse writer. Still, I find her solution to burnout extreme! I rarely suffer from creative burnout, and I think the reason is because, with a …
In which a bunch of authors & editors are invited to answer the question: How do you deal with creative exhaustion? My first World Fantasy Convention, Hal Duncan stood out as vivacious, charming & well, crazed. Thank god he hasn’t changed. A lot of the time the burnout I get is …
In which a bunch of authors & editors are invited to answer the question: How do you deal with creative exhaustion? Author Stephen Dedman gave me this exact advice some years back. It helped me then, & it’s making me think now. When I run writers’ workshops, I ask everyone to …
In which a bunch of authors & editors are invited to answer the question: How do you deal with creative exhaustion? Author Cat Sparks demonstrates how to access those pieces of yourself that aren’t burned out – because they’re still glowing. When all else fails, I grab an A4 legal …
A friend sent a link to this warm & inspiring TEDx talk on creativity by Elizabeth Gilbert, author of EAT PRAY LOVE. It’s a fabulous reminder to honour the creative spirit that ‘possesses’ you: “The tricky bit comes the next morning for the dancer himself when he wakes up and …
In which a bunch of authors & editors are invited to answer the question: How do you deal with creative exhaustion? Author Alan Baxter proves that the art of war and the war of art are one and the same. I LOVE this advice as Alan answers the question, What strategies do …
In which a bunch of authors & editors are invited to answer the question: How do you deal with creative exhaustion? Jim Lewis is one of my favourite authors. His books have predicted my life, so naturally I’m waiting for the next one. Creative exhaustion is my default. The question is …
In which a bunch of authors & editors are invited to answer the question: How do you deal with creative exhaustion? Author Kirstyn McDermott has a breath-taking thirst for life. Here, she creates exactly the kind of catch-phrase I want on a t-shirt. Just stop it. That thing you do, …
In keeping with our burnout theme, & via Ellen Kushner, comes this marvellous blog post by Terri Windling: I don’t often get blocked creatively, but when I do, the Big Hairy Monsters of Difficult Life Stuff are most often the cause. And yes, once you blast through blocks and …
In which a bunch of authors & editors are invited to answer the question: How do you deal with creative exhaustion? Author Delia Sherman provides a stylish analogy for keeping up your creative energy. You MUST read this one! For me, creative energy is like an old-fashioned ground-water well. When the …
In which a bunch of authors & editors are invited to answer the question: How do you deal with creative exhaustion? Author Jenny Blackford studied the classics – as you’ll see from her current inspiration! My creative work comes fairly directly from my unconscious mind, almost untouched by deliberate conscious thought, …
In which a bunch of authors & editors are invited to answer the question: How do you deal with creative exhaustion? Mark Deniz handed me one of the most invigorating pieces of inspiration some years ago when he said, ‘write a novella about Ishtar’. I’m still grateful. I find …
In which a bunch of authors & editors are invited to answer the question: How do you deal with creative exhaustion? Today author/editor/best buddy Ben Payne answers the burnout question. Or does he? How I deal with burnout: When I want to stop writing, I stop writing. Then… later… if I …
In which a bunch of authors & editors are invited to answer the question: How do you deal with creative exhaustion? Busy author & staunch community-member, Rowena Cory Daniells, plays wise aunt & mentor for many of us locally. Here, I find out she shares my view on luxury. Be kind …
In which a bunch of authors & editors are invited to answer the question: How do you deal with creative exhaustion? Modest in nature, but powerful in her writing, Sue Isle provides a marvellous call to arms for the thinking writer. Creative exhaustion is first cousin to writer’s block. First off, …