Posted on by Sonia Dogra

Finding Creativity Beyond Writing

Dear Readers,

I’ve been spending time with my children’s manuscript lately. The first draft of this middle grade chapter book was written in 2020. I didn’t think much about it back then because I was still experimenting with writing, shifting from one genre to another, writing at my will and pace, and pretty much everything that caught my fancy. I wouldn’t say I was easily distracted, but certainly attracted to new forms and submission calls. As I slipped into writing groups, I was probably influenced by what others were writing and felt like testing the waters. Not everything worked for me, but it’s not important that everything should. Poetry always had my back, and I guess, it always will.

Last year, I worked on the chapter book for the Neev Literature Festival, but didn’t make it to the final. Then I pitched the story to an open call by a traditional publisher and it didn’t make it yet again. I was on the verge of dumping it once more when I entered a beta reading contest and as luck would have it, the first three chapters and summary were evaluated by author Patchree Jones. Her feedback helped me see how my story had clearly missed an overarching plot and hook needed to keep turning the pages. While I understood her point, honestly, I had no solution for it. So, once again, I put aside a manuscript of merely 12,000 words. Meanwhile, I went back to doing other things – poetry, short stories, blogs. I’m sure all that we write over the years adds up to what we will write in future, but sometimes it’s important to shut out everything to be able to listen carefully to the more critical calls of the heart.

In September, I decided to take a step back and ignore all submission calls, mute the community white noise and exist like a non-writer. Being in proximity to something can block your vision and obscure important details. After a fortnight, I pulled out Patchree’s comments and well, I’ve been at my desk since then. I have no news to share about how far I’ve got, except that I’ve travelled miles in the last month and a half. It will be premature to comment on the profitability of it because we’re all clueless about what works. But I am in a zone right now and I feel good about it.

That’s the reason I’m late for this month’s IWSG post. Some of my friends have been kind and have visited me, and I too shall read them this weekend. But here’s my answer to this month’s question. What creative activity do you engage in when you’re not writing?  

All of last month and this one, I’ve only been spending time with my plants and going for long walks when I’m not writing. I don’t have another go-to creative activity but I do what I feel like and gardening is almost a fixture there.

 The awesome co-hosts for the November 06th posting of the IWSG are Diedre Knight, Lisa Buie Collard, Kim Lajevardi, and JQ Rose!

Thank you for stopping by and I’ll see you soon.       

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27 Replies to “Finding Creativity Beyond Writing”

  1. Insightful post Sonia. So glad that you are ‘in the zone’. I hope I find my mojo as well. Been away from fiction writing for far too long. Best wishes for the manuscript. I am sure it will be a wonderful read. I will be rooting for you !

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  2. Stepping back and shutting out noise always help. Though writing poetry gives me joy, sometimes writing everyday takes away that joy. I am so happy for you, Sonia.❤️
    I too like spending time with my few potted plants. But cooking is surely a stress buster. Just banging a few utensils around in the kitchen puts me in the right mood. 😃 And of course reading !!

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      1. Oh, it surely relieves tension! 😂
        And in that noise, I can curse under my breath. 😉
        Seriously though, I find it very therapeutic and calming.

        I wish you all the success in what you are writing now. It gives me a high to see so many blogger friends publishing their work successfully.

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  3. Yes, I agree wholeheartedly. Poetry ALWAYS has your back. Sometimes poetry can be a form of meditation, looking within. Like you, I recently picked up a project that had about 10K words. I’m writing every day, in love with the story, and having fun discovering new twists along the way. Finally, you may be just a little late for that monthly post for IWSG, but you are here! This writing community is a wonderful space for support. Know that as you forge ahead for a good month of writing what you wish for most. And, thank you for visiting me!

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  6. Sometimes, your story needs a period of contemplation before you could move forward. It happened to me too. I would be stuck, wouldn’t know how to proceed, until something sparks my muse again. It could happen in a month, or a year, or 5 years. I’m glad you reached that point sooner rather than later.

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  7. Good points, Sonia. There’s a lot going on out there and it sometimes helps with inspiration and feedback and sometimes creates a lot of negativity including imposter syndrome…if I drop out of the zone, I find myself watching old movies 🙂 but also I end up starting a new series of poems which somehow brings the discipline and the momentum back…hope you keep at that book!!!

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  9. I love what you say about poetry always having your back – I feel the same way. I too get distracted by all the submission calls and writing groups and workshops. All very useful in their own right but you have to start tuning into your own voice again and mute the conversation around you, as you say. So you can better focus on the calls of the heart. I love this post. You’ve reminded me to do that at some point, and I found it reassuring 🩷

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