As many of you know, I’m currently slogging it out with the fifth draft of my novel. It’s tough work that requires a lot of creativity and a lot of problem-solving, which means that periodically, I get stuck. I hit a wall and have no idea what to do, no clue how to move forward.
These moments happen in every creative project and are tough for us all to get through. Knowing how to deal with them is critical, because this is when you are at highest risk of abandoning your project. So how do you get through it?
Sleep on it!
A lot of creative work happens subconsciously. You don’t even know you’re working on your project until you’re just walking around somewhere and BAM! the idea comes to you. Harnessing this process is a perfect way to get out of those frustrating “stuck” moments. Here’s how:
Step 1: Review
Review everything that pertains the problem, and do it quickly. For my novel, this includes skimming the chapter I’m working on and any relevant notes. Just go for a general, abstract overview – five minutes maximum.
Step 2: Set the Intention
Say, “Hey, brain, I really need to figure this out. I’m going to take a break. Can you work on it while I’m not paying attention?” – This is the part where you firmly set the intention that you want your subconscious mind to get to work on it.
Step 3: Sleep On It
Take a nap! Or, if it’s late, go to bed for the night. Or maybe go for a walk, or wash the dishes, or read a book. Do something that takes your mind completely off the problem.
Step 4: Wait for the Ideas to Show Up
Come back to the work later and wait for the ideas to come. They’ll show up! Just be patient and accept whatever thoughts you’re having. The solution to your problem might be unexpected. It might be outside of what you thought you wanted to do or what you’d planned on doing. This is okay! Your brain is smart – let it tell you what your project needs.
It’s been working for me. Last night I hit a major impasse with my novel where I realized that I needed to add a whole additional chapter of backstory, and I had absolutely no clue what it was going to be. I reviewed the notes and went to bed asking my brain to figure it out for me. Now, the next morning, I’ve just finished a work session in which I came up with the entire chapter’s worth of backstory, and it all makes perfect sense and is exactly what the novel needed. And all this without me actually having to do any work! Literally, all I did was have a good night’s sleep and a nice leisurely breakfast. The ideas were waiting for me when I got down to work. Thanks, brain! You’re the best.
Try it out and see if it helps you, too.
