I agree that it’s very hard to stay creative in these holiday times with all of the pressure that comes to bear either from without or within. When I get too far away from my project, I develop a condition I call creative anxiety. The only cure for that particular disease is to go back and hang with my characters, even if I don’t write a word that day.
Here's my suggestion for a word that means "the sensation of enjoying aspects of the holidays yet longing for our creative work"—but not specific to the holidays. It's the Welsh word "hiraeth," and it describes a feeling of the presence of absence, or an acute awareness of something missing in your life. It's a uniquely Welsh word, and has no direct translation in English.
What a great topic for this time of year! It IS hard to stay creative during the holidays. (It's hard to stay sane during the holidays!) I do long for the quiet of January and the chance to sink back into my own created story-land.
I love this beautiful Welsh word - thank you for introducing me to it! I've never heard of this one, but I can relate to the "presence of absence" on several fronts, not just writing. Somehow just giving the feeling a name gives me a little sense of control. I too love a quiet January and look forward to "sinking in" to a story!
Holiday season can be a challenge for readers too. Short stories can be completed before the next festivity begins. I’ve taken cover in the newest translation of 52 of Antov Checkov’s short stories. In one an author is perused in his dreams by commas and exclamation points having been accused of writing like a machine !
Even the CFPL library group is taking it easy this month reading Big Trouble by Dave Barry. Lots of soon ago history in his turn of the century romp!
Thank you for pointing this out, Bill -- it can be hard to sink into stories as writers and as readers. That's probably why I hesitated to offer reading as an antidote - I have trouble fitting that in too at this time of year. I love the idea of focusing on short stories (and maybe essays - I love essays), or even verse, for that satisfying sense of completion in smaller increments of time. I'm glad you've sought refuge in Chekhov's stories -what a marvelous idea! And reading "lighter" or humorous works sounds refreshing and manageable too. Great strategies! Happy Holidays to you too, and Happy Reading!
I agree that it’s very hard to stay creative in these holiday times with all of the pressure that comes to bear either from without or within. When I get too far away from my project, I develop a condition I call creative anxiety. The only cure for that particular disease is to go back and hang with my characters, even if I don’t write a word that day.
Ooh, "Creative anxiety" sounds apt, but I love the "cure" of hanging with your characters without the pressure to write!
Here's my suggestion for a word that means "the sensation of enjoying aspects of the holidays yet longing for our creative work"—but not specific to the holidays. It's the Welsh word "hiraeth," and it describes a feeling of the presence of absence, or an acute awareness of something missing in your life. It's a uniquely Welsh word, and has no direct translation in English.
What a great topic for this time of year! It IS hard to stay creative during the holidays. (It's hard to stay sane during the holidays!) I do long for the quiet of January and the chance to sink back into my own created story-land.
I love this beautiful Welsh word - thank you for introducing me to it! I've never heard of this one, but I can relate to the "presence of absence" on several fronts, not just writing. Somehow just giving the feeling a name gives me a little sense of control. I too love a quiet January and look forward to "sinking in" to a story!
Holiday season can be a challenge for readers too. Short stories can be completed before the next festivity begins. I’ve taken cover in the newest translation of 52 of Antov Checkov’s short stories. In one an author is perused in his dreams by commas and exclamation points having been accused of writing like a machine !
Even the CFPL library group is taking it easy this month reading Big Trouble by Dave Barry. Lots of soon ago history in his turn of the century romp!
Happy Holidays
Bill
Thank you for pointing this out, Bill -- it can be hard to sink into stories as writers and as readers. That's probably why I hesitated to offer reading as an antidote - I have trouble fitting that in too at this time of year. I love the idea of focusing on short stories (and maybe essays - I love essays), or even verse, for that satisfying sense of completion in smaller increments of time. I'm glad you've sought refuge in Chekhov's stories -what a marvelous idea! And reading "lighter" or humorous works sounds refreshing and manageable too. Great strategies! Happy Holidays to you too, and Happy Reading!