Staci McGlothlin

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Welcome back, dear reader, to Part 2 of [I]Elijana’s Mad Science Behind the Block[/I]![/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Today, we’re continuing our leap of logic into how my author and I view the creative, writing, and revision processes. But first, to recap…[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]In the previous post, we discussed the dynamic [I]flow of creativity[/I] that begins deep within the writer (in the unconscious mind) then travels through to the subconscious mind where logic and structure are applied to direct the retrieval of information… and, finally, to the output in the conscious mind, when the words are expressed in a tangible manner that can be shared.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Now, if you were able to follow what I outlined in the last post, then think about this… the way you [I]learn[/I] or [I]absorb new ideas/information[/I]… is the [I]opposite[/I] of the creative process. Think about it. There you are… a student, sitting in a hot, stuffy classroom, listening to a monotone lecturer (who by the looks of him was a [I]not-so-wee-lad[/I] at the battle of Hastings in 1066), and watching him scribble notes on a chalkboard. The information presented in this outside conscious world environment may be boring, but it’s (according to the model presented) filtered and organized by your subconscious then redirected to the unconscious mind to be locked in for storage and easy retrieval. The more you study a certain subject and comprehend its ‘structure’, the better your understanding of it becomes and the faster your recall of it becomes. [/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]And now that I’ve hammered that home one last time, I’ll move on to talk about…[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]THE THREE PROCESSES NECESSARY FOR WRITING[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Wow, when I type it in all caps, this topic looks really impressive. Well, it should. Because this is one of the coolest things I’ve discussed with friends, family, and my writer in the past six months. The concept of the three processes was hashed out during a lengthy conversation with [I]oh-so-cool[/I] LooseID author, Qwillia Rain, who’s got a much better grasp on this subject than I do… and has an awesome presentation on learning styles that I’m hoping one day very soon I’ll be able to see in a classroom setting. (Was that subtle enough for a nudge? <wink, wink, nudge, nudge>)[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]SO WHAT ARE THE THREE PROCESSES NECESSARY FOR WRITING?[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]--The Creative Process[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] --The Writing Process[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] --The Revision Process[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]How do they work? Well, one might assume (like I did and attempted) that to perform each of the three processes you should actively utilize all three parts of your mind. At the same time. It sounds logical. I mean I just waxed philosophical about the natural flow of creativity and so it should work, but… it doesn’t. And here’s why: For each of the processes, only two parts of the mind are [B][I][U]actively[/U][/I][/B] engaged and the third is there as… a moderator of sorts. The moderator is a dormant watchdog who acts like a judge, jury, executioner, referee, control freak with an on-off switch. The dormant moderator is ([I]technically[/I]) only tapped and brought into play when you slip off (either by accident or on purpose) of the process you’re utilizing at the time.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]To illustrate this, it’s time for me to whip up some diagrams. [/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Let’s start with the Creative Process. [/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]The purpose of the Creative Process is to tap into your creative source and get it out in a pseudo-structural manner. When you are actively creating a story or brainstorming in the natural manner (by yourself), the two parts of the mind turned ON are the UNCONSCIOUS and SUBCONSCIOUS mind. Information flows back and forth between these two happy-go-lucky-free-spirited entities. Sometimes, you remember a brainstorm session and sometimes you don’t. It depends on whether or not (at the end of the brainstorming session) you tap into the third element of this trio… the DORMANT CONSCIOUS mind. Because the moment you trigger and turn on the third element, your natural learning process is tapped and you begin to capture the data in the manner that YOU personally need to recall the information. [/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Onto the Writing Process. The purpose of the Writing Process is to transfer the data you’ve stored (in the unconscious mind) onto a tangible document. To do this, then you’ve got to be in the zone. Without the internal editor getting in the way of your voice. So what parts of your mind are you using during the Writing Process? Actively in use are the UNCONSCIOUS and CONSCIOUS; acting as a dormant moderator is that pesky, structure loving moderator/internal editor known as the SUBCONSCIOUS. Check out the diagram below for this process map.[/SIZE][/FONT]
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And last, but definitely not least, we’ve arrived at the Revision Process. The purpose of the Revision Process is to review the tangible document against the required structural components that make up a good story. The process flow for the Revision Process has the CONSCIOUS and SUBCONSCIOUS minds turned ON and the UNCONSCIOUS mind turned to the dormant (we only tap it when we need brief input on creative redirection) moderator state. This process is probably best described by the fact that when I’m in revision-land and need to tap into my snarky, occasionally humorous, natural voice, I have to do a series of short exercises (both physical and mental) to wake up my sleepy creative source. It’s also the same thing I have to do when I switch hats from technical document authoring to creative fiction writer—which explains (at least to me) why my voice isn’t as strong in this blog series as it was in previous ones (to see what I mean here, check out a previous blog post from me entitled, [I]That durn cat[/I] ([URL]http://www.savvyauthors.com/vb/entry.php?360-That-durn-cat[/URL]) where I literally just sat down and wrote the whole thing in a few minutes without any revision). [/SIZE][/FONT]
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And there you have it—the three processes used to write a story. [/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Now what do you do with it? [/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Easy. You go back to studying your block and honing in on where you hit a roadblock. Take a look at the processes. Think about them. Identify which phase of the writing process stops you cold in your tracks. Can you brainstorm? Is the blank page your worst enemy? Do you struggle in revision land? Do you have problems in all areas BUT brainstorming? Then consider that you’ve got a block in the writing and revision process. Re-evaluate your physical writing environment and consider reading a craft related book or taking a workshop. What’s that you say—you’ve got no new ideas coming in, but you can revise and rewrite like a serious pro? Then try some meditation and silly fun time. Do something goofy. Learn to laugh at life again. Actually, I think all fiction writers should learn to laugh at life and refill that well of creativity by having a laugh so hard you either cried or wet your pants. [/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Whatever your block is be specific, creative, and committed to busting through it. You can do it. Heck, if I could do it, then anyone can do it.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]And now I’m going to touch on an excellent comment made by Rayne Hall on the previous post. Does writer’s block exist? Yes, it does—for some people. Why does it happen for some and not others? Simple, because not every writer thinks using the same style. For some writers, they will never get a block, because they are true to the elements that trigger their creative and brainstorming processes (the elements will be described in an upcoming post about what it means to be visual-auditory-or kinesthetic). It’s as natural to them as breathing. It doesn’t mean that they won’t ever get blocked in varying degrees—it just means that it’s unlikely that they will ever do so because they have a firm grasp on their identity, essence, and chosen creative craft. Does this mean that those who got the block are broken? No—far from it. What it means is that the writer is growing. And with growth comes change and (insert groan here) growing pains.[/SIZE][/FONT]
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And the big one—is there ever just one block when we’re talking about writer’s block? No and this is probably one of the most important things for folks experiencing a block to understand. Writing a story is a dynamic, complicated process that requires more than just an idea. I mean, if I could sell every idea I have for a story… oh my word, I’d be such a rich, single mama. There are many factors and craft points that you need to have a handle on before you ever consider making this crazy, hard career your bread and butter ticket to millionaire hood (lol, I can’t believe I typed millionaire hood and this writing career in the same sentence—I must be tapping into my unconscious mind more than I realized).
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[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]So to think that there’s only one block to writer’s block… well, for me, that is just plain wishful thinking.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]The bottom line is that busting through writer’s block is different for each person. For me, I had issues all over the place—but they were initially triggered by events that occurred in my external life, then the crap trickled down into all facets of my writing and I was shaken far worse than I ever thought possible. Did the external events make me a stronger person? You better believe it. Did it add to my writer’s repertoire and knowledge base to create wacky, zany adventures that amuse? Oh man, did it ever. [/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]BUT (and this is a big [I]but[/I]) it also changed my identity and rocked me at my core. Which meant that I had to start at the beginning and figure out who the heck I am all over again. And I don’t know if y’all have caught on to it yet, but I’m an intricately woven character with depth and substance who can’t learn unless I comprehend the reason I’m going through all these pain and suffering. Which means that I wasn’t kidding about being the reason that the word anal was put into analytical thinking. And yeah, it took me a lot of evaluating and re-evaluating to get to the point where I am now—which is understanding. A LOT of reevaluating with a LOT of trial and error.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Because there is one thing I do know and hold completely and 100% true… I have absolutely no intention of EVER being blocked again. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Period. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Exclamation point. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Underline that, italicize it, and make it all caps. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]LOL.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Take care, my dear readers, and I hope you enjoyed today’s foray into writer’s block.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]~EK and Her Author[/SIZE][/FONT]