What do you all do about creative block?

[gateofselidor]

Generally I just sit there and think it out, but I'm very rarely in a position where I'm so stuck that I can't do anything. If I really can't work it out, I move onto something else for a bit. I work on planning a different comic project, or write some prose. If I'm feeling less creative, I might play a video game or watch a film.

[facemeltingsolos]

There is a book about this subject called "The Artist's Way." It has some good exercises. Some I'm not so fond of (I'm looking at you, morning pages), but because there's a lot of stuff in the book there's bound to be something in there that may help.

What I personally do is set a timer for five minutes and write a whole bunch of possibilities. The trick is to not think too hard and keep the pen moving so you don't censor yourself.

Once you have a nice list you may want to force yourself to forget about the project for a couple of days. A fresh brain and set of eyes can do wonders.

There's a lesson I teach my music students about how to silence your inner critic, if you have that issue. I could send that to you if you're interested. I would post it here, but I just don't want to have the possibility of hijacking your thread.

Good luck. A block can be a very pesky and complex problem.

[Doubtcent]

If there's a project that I'm working on that just takes too long, I do what Steven King said about writing. Put it away for six months. I don't do that exactly , but stepping away from the project that you may be engrossed in can help thoughts flow a lot better.

Otherwise, I just keep myself on a schedule, constantly doing something, even if it's just a little bit a day. The more you do this, with either comics or anything else you might be working on, the easier ideas will flow and the easier it will be to keep going.

So if one doesn't work, (I'd try the schedule first) try the other and come back to it. A creator's block is just a block. You can just walk around it instead of having it be the source of problems.

[Wolven_Sister]

If I ever get stuck, I usually just take a break. I kinda leave it in the back of my head while I'm doing other things, but I usually try not to stress on it I guess.

^^This. I'll back away from the art piece and play some games, or catch up on my other hobbies. Sometimes I'll just make sketch dumps, not caring how they look. Just something to get the current ideas out of my head and onto paper. When I've done a few sketch pages, sometimes my block will be gone and I'll have a clear concept in my head, but sometimes this doesn't work and if that's the case, then I'll continue with my break for a couple more days. Creative ideas is a 24 hour job, as creators we don't get a choice when the ideas/motivation/inspiration comes pouring through, so it's best not to force it and not to get stressed as this can sometimes make the block even worse to get around.

[blastryoku]

When i get a creative block i just leave it like that and do some other stuff, like watching series, movies or playing games.
Sometimes i just work on other drawings or illustrations that i haven't finished and that gets me in the mood, (it doesn't work all the time, though).

[thecokers]

When i get a creative block i just leave it like that and do some other stuff, like watching series, movies or playing games.

This is what I do as well. However, I'm lucky that up till now, I haven't had deadline pressure on anything I've been creating. Since we're gearing up to launch a new series with somewhat regular updates, that's about to change though.

Typically I step away, go do something else and then bam, I get a breakthrough

[Zannen00]

I do get the blocks sometimes,but usually sitting in front of the monitor thinking about it just wont do it,
so i say just leave it and do something...My idea usually comes during at my workplace...so,i just grab any paper,and start doing a rough sketch, or i will make a mental note...

Usually the latter,since my manager is keeping an eye on me now >,> Oh inspiration,why u come at me while at work?

[MaiStarberries]

Well then I'll definitely have to try some of these suggestions! Given how many of you recommend taking a step back from it and taking a break or doing something else, I'll give that a try for a bit and see if that helps me out any, though I also definitely like the idea of just writing what ideas come to mind and seeing if any of those work, plus that sounds fun, ha.

@facemeltingsolos Your lesson also sounds interesting and really useful, I'd totally be interested in hearing about that. Heck, I could even imagine making your own topic about that here on the forums would be really useful to a lot of creators if you ever felt like doing that.

[Queashnd]

I often stop for a while , change my playlist into something really really pretty and just close my eyes and feel the music,let it take my mind somewhere else(I normally think of plot tapes to cover my plot holes). I dont really stress myself out thinking of an immediate solution but make myself more relaxed,that way,inspiration comes easily. ' v ')

[AnnaLandin]

I've never had this happen mid-chapter, because I storyboard/plan an entire chapter in one go - but I have had it happen between chapters, and I certainly had it happen before I got started actually drawing Grassblades.

In the first instance - where it happens between chapters, where it's certain scenes that aren't cooperating - I usually leave it alone for a little while, and get busy doing something else. The way my brain is wired, it seems like I have an easier time solving plot-issues if I'm caught up in drawing/writing something else - it takes a bit of the pressure off, and lets my brain kind of run free a bit, which is the best way to get over obstacles that seem immovable.

Another way - if the first doesn't work - is to do sketches/storyboards/written notes on various alternative ways a chapter or scene could end. Just play with the possibilities without committing to any one of them; you're just exploring, and you're not bound by any decisions yet.

Sometimes, it really IS a matter of smacking your forehead against that creative wall until it crumbles.

The important thing is to keep at it - leaving a project alone for a while is a helpful method, but you have to come back to it. Just wandering off will not solve your problem; it'll just leave you with an abandoned project that will never really see the light of day - and we don't want that. Finishing things is important. So take a day off, watch a movie, play a videogame, draw something else - whatever helps you relax - but come back to it. Set yourself a deadline for checking back in; it doesn't have to be a deadline for starting work on it again, but just a little mental reminder that keeps you coming back to the project.

Mental blocks on projects can really suck - Grassblades sat around for literally years before I got started drawing it, because I just COULD NOT figure out an ending, or an antagonist. But I kept picking at it every now and then, and last year, like a bolt from the blue sky, I came up with something.

[getsuart]

I don't really have this problem either, since I'm doing a first sotryboard to sketch and see how I should change it. I realize at this time that I need to change the speed to add scenes, when I'm looking at the potato characters and what happens. The story in the chapters is already written, I do changes between the script and the storyboard if it doesn't make sense.

But when it comes to draw those pages, sometimes I got an artblock. So I do something else, I complain, I play videogames, then I come back some days after on my page, complain again but draw. It doesn't always work, but most of time, putting away the work and do something else work!

[elixiadragmire]

Hmm well I'm a visual thinker so when i got stuck I pulled out my map and drew where the groups were heading and wondered what would they stumble on, on their way. that normally helps.

that and immersing myself in similar stories, in movies, games and books

[Delete]

I started going for jogs whenever I got stuck with my work. Not only does it help for creative blocks but it also got me in such good shape!

[facemeltingsolos]

I'll write up a little something when I get home today or tomorrow. Driving home from an out of town gig. It certainly gave me some inspiration for some new comics, ha! My pain is made specifically for comedy!

Maybe I'll make a video just for you tapastic peeps.

Hope you break through the wall soon. Also, your screen name: dicesne linguam latinam?

[paigelavoie]

Sometimes I'll read back through my comic from the beginning to try to get sucked back into the story. So far it's worked pretty well for me.

Also, working on something different for a little while, like writing short stories or drawing fan art can be a nice way to get the creative juices flowing again.

[mrky]

I don't have it. I simply make stuff for which I know it can lead to endless patterns.

[nocuddletime]

There's no such thing.

Storytelling is a craft just like drawing. You wouldn't attempt to draw a hand once and say "nope, can't do it - I have creative block". You would study hand anatomy and practice drawing hands hundred of times and you'd be able to do it.

If you are having trouble resolving scenes. Study how scenes are resolved and practice resolving them hundreds of times and you'll be able to do it.

[jessicasurline]

As mentioned by everyone one else above, taking a break can do wonders. Other than that, my two best options are talking about the story with my husband and listening to lots of music. My husband prefers to have minimal involvement with the story so he can be a good gauge for weird spots, like a new reader of a story. It really helps to have some one ask questions and force you to think about stuff from a new angle. As for music, it is fantastic so why not? I really enjoy getting lost in the stories and feelings of music from various genres. It is a great place to let the mind wander and paint new pictures for my mental landscape.

[SpavVy]

Well if im having trouble deciding on how to wnd a scene and have come up with multiple scenarios then i ask friends for feedback xD

[ratique]

I don't believe in the "creative block".

Working in a creative industry I have been dealing with many designers and illustrators who do nothing but being creative 40 hours + at work, just to then go home and continue developing personal projects. If the "creative block" was a real thing, all of us would lose our job eventually.

That does not mean that you can not get stuck every so often, but there are easy ways around it. For one, you are probably stuck with only your own perspective, so go talk to someone else about your project. Preferably someone who creative as well. Get their feedback, ask them for their ideas, let them ask questions. At the end you should be fired up and ready to go try something new.

And the other way is to just keep working. I had started my current comic 3 times before I got to the final draft. First I did not like the style, then I did not like the story, then I suddenly liked nothing at all. I researched how other people write scripts, looked at concept art, learned from other people's comics. Started again and am now very happy with my comic so far.

And I still have long, in depth conversations about what exactly should happen on the next page that I am going to draw. With my editor. Also known as my husband. That helps the most.