An Affair to Remember: Creativity

Hunter Dasten

In the time that I have been publishing my poetry I have made several friends with a mutual inclination for the written word. Invariably our conversations drift toward the topic of writing, whether simply discussing our current projects, or passionately explaining our individual writing philosophies. I enjoy nothing more than those long dialogues.

Recently a friend of mine had spoke of her current writers block, asking if I had any advice that may help overcome a creative drought. Racking my brain for an answer, nothing immediately surfaced. For all my experience writing, I realized that in matters concerning writers block, I have no particular technique to overcome it. In fact, writers block had never struck me as much of an issue. When inspired, I write, otherwise I am perfectly content waiting on that one perfect sight, or flash of brilliance which might ignite my mind.

After a few moments of thought, I gave her the only insight I could muster, which I would like to share with the reader now.

Creativity is not married to the artist, she is but the mistress, involved in a drawn out affair. She comes from time to time and dances the night away, but when the sun rises and sweet Creativity disappears, there is no obligation that she ever return. All the artist can do is sit back and hold tight to the hope that one day she will indeed come back for more.

Thats it! The perfect answer, the only advice I have to give any artist. The greatest art is never forced, it's not an equation one may solve at a moments whim. So don't let those weeks without inspiration gnarl your soul or affect your mood. It's best to simply roll with the punches, eyes open, and ear to the ground, because you never know when that sweet mistress or yours will walk in through the door.

Hunter Dasten was born May 3rd, 1987 in Marietta, Georgia. He currently lives and writes in Savannah, Georgia.

An archive of Hunter's articles is located here.

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