In November 2003 I posed these questions to some writers and friends:

Is there such a thing as self-imposed writer's block? Or to put it differently, do you ever feel that your writing is at the point where you really need to research the topics you are writing about and write from a place of depth and intensity? And since depth and intensity take time to develop, is it OK to allow long stretches of time to pass without output (hate that word) and quantity to achieve overall better quality and value? (That might be easy to answer, but is it?)

And lastly, and maybe more profoundly for me these days: How do you resist the temptation to turn every waking moment or crisis into a song in the overcommercialized manner in which many of today's singer-songwriters profess their writing process operates? When does life and memory (as short and fragile as it is) just exist for its own sake without the need for another expression? When does art become self-defeating? Lot's of questions...

(The responses follow)

Mickey Maguire
I have never thought of writer's block as a self-imposed thing, that would imply that the writer willingly brought the writer's block upon himself. Instead, I have always thought of writer's block as the result of many possible variables in the writer's experience. There are troubles of the day, outside influences, too crowded agendas, day jobs, and countless possible causes. A lot writers get "blocked" by things in their own mind. Some, however, are simply trying to force themselves to write when they are simply not ready. This leads to several of the other questions on your list...

You should write when the creative mood strikes you and the ideas flow. While some writings may require research and reference materials others will not. The creative writer whose work is fiction will not necessarily need a lot of research material, just a good outline and a plot that is cohesive.

If time passes between writing sessions, that is not a problem if the final product is compelling. I'd rather a person write with passion than force themselves to produce "output" that is worthless (an all too frequent occurance these days).

How do I resist the temptation to turn every event or waking moment into a song?

I have never been one to write a song about everything. As you know, I am not the most prolific writer in the world (I know I have a knack for under-statement). Most singer-songwriters today operate under the same way of thinking that Tom T. Hall did. Tom tried to write a song everyday, regardless of quality or subject. Some of his songs became hits, others were totally worthless and never were recorded. That, to me, is a waste of time.

I write when I am compelled to write. I can produce a song, though, in about five minutes when an idea comes to me. Until then, I have my photography, my painting, my writing of articles, my other creative pursuits, so I am content.

In short, enjoy living and write when the ideas flow. Re-write and polish things a bit if you are unsure. Make sure that the final product is compelling and professional in both content and presentation. Don't worry about not producing and you won't feel unproductive. That way, when you are productive, the quality will always be much better.

Tom Dennehy
Sometimes writing a song isn't that much different from writing an essay. If you're dealing with events and things that go beyond personal feelings or experiences, you need to get your facts straight. For example, to write "Haburashi," a love song for my toothbrush, I had to learn about all the dental afflictions and infections one can acquire in the absence of proper orla hygeine, and then at the end of the song I was able to string together a long list of illnesses of which I had previously been ignorant. Yes, this does affect my output.

Sometimes it takes years for me to finish a song. Although I wish I was more prolific, I'm usually satisfied by the results compositionally when I take my time.

As for the issue of turning every goddamn crisis or waking moment into a song, I just write what I feel like writing. If a song needs to come out, let it be born. I don't believe art can become self-defeating; only artists can. In fact, I'm not sure if I even believe in art. What we call art is supposed to be functional. It puts us in touch with forces that we can't name, much less explain. To speak in terms of Art and Artists with a capital A cuts off the masses of "non-artistic" people from the opportunity to practice arts with belong to everybody. I'm not sure if this makes any sense, but it's not very easy to talk about.

Justin dePrisco
'Fing' came to me in a dream on April 1, 1999. By April 4 I had the entire story worked out in my head. I was bursting with ideas and would spend hours writing.

I had difficulty putting some thoughts into words, but was able to shape them with my drawings. The birth of 'Fing' was also a rebirth of my drawing talent which had been in a dormant stage of it's own for many years. Save doodling, I hadn't drawn anything for many years, yet miraculously I was drawing at a phenomenal skill level when I resumed.

I slowly went blank in the months to follow but I did not/have not forced it. I would say it is a self-imposed writer's block that has lasted two years. I feel it is best to let it come naturally.

I began sculpting at that time, but that period also did not last. I made a few things but did not have the time or inspiration for anything else. Over a year went by before I felt like sculpting again--thus the Hordak figure. I'm still in the sculpting mood but am taking a break; it's hard on my eyes.

Throughout my periods of 'down time' I have continued to be creative on a smaller scale: Customizing a few Stikfas.Playing with PhotoShop.Making movies with VF.Arranging and admiring my toys (This is very theraputic.) Building shelves. bla bla bla.

Steve Schrum
> Is there such a thing as self-imposed writer's block?

All writer's blocks are self-imposed, whether consciously or unconsciously. Of course, I am not talking about not scheduling time or having no time to schedule writing.... That is not always under one's control.

> Or to put it differently, do you ever feel that your writing is at the point where you
> really need to research the topics you are writing about and write from a
> place of depth and intensity? And since depth and intensity take time to
> develop, is it OK to allow long stretches of time to pass without output
> (hate that word) and quantity to achieve overall better quality and value?

This is something I have had to force over the years. I have an idea, I want to get it out and finish the project. But then, I also want it to be the best it can be, and sometimes that means putting it away for a bit and then going back to it later. This is difficult, but since I recommend it to my
students about their papers, I think I should follow my own advice.

> And lastly, and maybe more profoundly for me these days: How do you resist
> the temptation to turn every waking moment or crisis into a song in the
> overcommercialized manner in which many of today's singer-songwriters
> profess their writing process operates?

Make it into a rock opera. That would be too long to be an overcommercialized thing. Or, just write HITS!

> When does art become self-defeating?

Perhaps when it isn't art, but is rather art for cash's sake.

Ron Cederlund
I wouldn't call writing everything from a waking moment or experience something to waste or throw away. George Harrison once said he records every rehearsal, jam, or tinkering because you never know when there will be that moment of pure inspiration (my interpretation of what he actually said). You can pick and choose from those tidbits for the ones that feel as though they are really true to your heart. I have another approach which usually works. If I start to write a song and loses my interest very fast I tend to scrap it and not push myself to complete it only because it becomes a work of great labor and becomes unfun. If the song writes itself and pours out of my soul continually then it will usually get done in one session.

In answer to your question about the self imposed writer's block you must ask yourself if the songs that you are coming with are starting to run together or sound the same. Was it your intention for them to sound the same. Of course, if it wasn't I usually put down th e pencil and keyboard and stay away from writing for an extended period of time until the hunger comes back to me. Usually the outcome is very good and I have moments of pure inspiration. You can look back at the moments that are foremost in your mind that left the most impact and draw from them for inspiration.

This is just one fool's approach to songwriting.

Michael Kattner
Writing is a both a craft and an art and the only way to do it well is either to get lucky, or to practice. So I would not stop writing entirely. A number of books about being an artist suggest that one should write everyday. This is usually a free write, steam of consciousness, exercise for a few pages or 15-30 minutes a day. This keeps you 'warmed-up' for the big project and also keeps away your self-imposed block.

I don't know but you may find that your hesitation is doubt, fear of failure, or just writing a piece that is not the quality that you think it should be. That is a question for you. I don't believe that creative output is held in quantity and must be built up and then poured out. I do know that the muse does strike momentarily, however we must give it the opportunity to strike and then be proficient enough to do the work.

Now the state of physical and mental exhaustion does hamper most endeavors. If you are physically and mentally tired then taking a good break is a good idea. If at all possible I would work on unfocused things like thumbnail sketches, free writing, and taking unplanned snapshots. I wouldn't work on refining these or even thinking about them. These are more of an exercise to keep your mind on track. Even with a vacation I have never felt refreshed and ready to come right back and tackle a big project, this may just be me.

One of our visiting professors is working on a large piece and he started with research and then writing and then split his time researching and writing just so he didn't get bogged down with one or the other. Also since there is too much material to do complete research anymore. Unless you have interest in the most focused of topics you can never read all the material on that topic. Also this is a good excuse to procrastinate.

As for using personal life events as the basis of artistic output. I don't have much to say about this one other than to be careful. Careful not to offend those that you write about and put private matters into the public sphere. As the saying goes "write what you know." I think that is a great place to start, but not to finish. As much as I can understand you quandary I really don't have any definite advice.