Questions + Answers

From Maggie

Hi Allison,

Do you ever get writer’s block or songwriter’s block? How do you deal with it?

Thanks,

Maggie

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Dear Maggie,

Thanks for this great question.

I don’t know if I really believe in blocks, but I do believe it takes time for artistic or energetic ideas to incubate and collect into something that’s solid enough to come through a person. Who knows how long that is? I have said, when asked from time to time, “how long did it take you to write that song?” — “a lifetime and 5 minutes.”

What I know now is, it all counts. Even the hours spent in frustration. Even the wasted sheets of paper and fingers made sore from typing and deleting. Even the crushing self-doubt that makes you believe you’ll never be able to do it again. And even the crappy and imperfect work that we don’t realize is crappy and imperfect until it’s out in the world is important. Because we eventually learn not to settle. I made some paintings yesterday that I was not at all happy with. I kept working on them and I’ve turned some of them around. I can throw the rest in the trash and feel fine about it. More importantly, I learned what not to do next time I set aside studio time. I learned what I’m bored with, I learned about what I want to do next.

So in short, yes. And in short, no. Whatever the case, I just try to keep going. I allow fallow periods and know they’re important too. Maybe we should stop saying writer’s block and instead say artistic pause.

Thank you again for the question. I hope you don’t think you’re blocked!

I hope y’all have a glorious weekend.

Peace. Love.

Allison

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