What do you see in the whiteness; a blank page of emptiness and terror, a blank page of infinite possibility?
For some writers, fear of the blank page is a real thing; a feeling of of anxiety or dread. It’s the pressure to create something, to be inspired and inspiring; to be productive and good.
Thankfully, I don’t have that affliction. I’m not sure I ever did.
For me, a pristine sheet or a empty screen is a blank page of infinite possibility. I have far more stories than I can ever tell in my lifetime. New characters arrive unannounced and demand more of my attention. After one little glimpse, my brain leaps; what story can I tell with this character at the center?
One of those characters took over my entire fantasy series. Another lived in my head for twenty-five years, nudging me; go on, tell my story. My protagonist shot one unnamed henchman with an arrow and took him out of the story but then… I’ll save him for another time.
Faith and Devotion
Creativity is always a leap of faith. (Julia Cameron)
Is it significant that my undergraduate dissertation centered on ‘the leap of faith?’ I suspect it is. I’ll happily start typing with less than half an idea where I’m going, because – possibility.
I enjoy the freedom of the blank page. (Irvine Welsh)
A blank page is freedom. You can go wherever you want to go with a blank page. Editing is harder; all those words you have to force into the same direction, to make sure you arrive at the destination.
You might not write well every day, but you can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page. (Jodi Picoult)
The blank page gives you permission to write anything; solid gold or absolute trash. You won’t know what you’ve got until you begin. Perhaps you’ll find a gem, a diamond in the rough; a little shiny nugget, enough to forge a sword, or a ring, or light up a star.
Every blank page is an opportunity; every full page is a lesson. The words don’t have to be good, but they have to be there.