Resistance or Incubation? Reframing the Writer's Block

The Natural Lifecycle of Creative Ideas

Apr 13, 2025

I'm a procrastinator, or perhaps there is another valid reason why I can't make any progress with my novel. Is it resistance in all its ugly glory, or am I submitting to the creative process particular to how I think?

I'm not sure, but perhaps the creative process for me means that the story has first to establish its roots in my mind; only then can it bloom. It's a theory anyway, but it could be that resistance is presenting a seemingly valid reason for not getting my ass in the chair and start pushing the story out.

The magnificent magnolia tree in our garden got me thinking that this might be how I operate. Planted around 15 years ago as a two-meter sapling, it needed several years to establish itself in its new surroundings. Slowly establishing its roots until, after several years, the first (and only for that year) flower eventually bloomed. The Magnolia was covered in blooms the following year and every year since.

As the Magnolia sapling struggled upward, seemingly making little progress day by day, it was transformed dramatically over the years, similar to crafting a novel, at least for me. Both processes require patience and faith during the long stretches where progress seems painfully slow. And both, when rushed or forced, tend to produce weak results that don't stand the test of time.

The Slow Growth of Character Development

I've written about how investing in a story's characters is essential to keeping the reader turning the page. They are also vitally important to the writer. Without this, the words remain flat and uninteresting. Hardly motivational, is it? I'll be completely honest. Until I realized that some things need time to mature, I was despairing that I would ever be able to create the story.

Thinking about the Magnolia put things into a much-needed perspective. Just as for this post, I know that, at some point, I'll be able to continue. It will all come together when it's good and ready.

So, I let the first part of this post sit and stew for a few weeks. When I finally put my thoughts on paper, so to speak, I found that I had already said all that I wanted to say. I may come back around to this time at some point. I thought I'd have to cut a few perspectives out to keep the length reasonable.

Of course, I could drone on and on about planting seeds, unseen development, the effect of the seasons, and branching out. The thought of writing such drivel is just not me. I've said what I wanted to say, so for now, enough is enough.

Finding Inspiration in the Ordinary

I took the dogs out for their morning walk yesterday morning. It was glorious weather, unseasonably warm for Western Europe in the first weeks of April. I noticed a heavily weathered game of Hopscotch chalked on the paving stones.

I almost didn't notice it and walked on at first. But something niggled in the back of my mind; I only really saw it when I turned back to look again. Now, what is a sprightly 65-year-old to do? Encumbered as I was by two mercifully small dogs, I couldn't resist. I didn't have a stone, so I just hopped, skipped, and jumped from start to finish.

It never occurred to me that this might be considered odd behavior; I was in my element, and my inner child had complete control of me. I had to start several times until I got the coordination just right, but when I did, we could finally carry on with our walk. Only with a spring in my step, it felt good to be young again, in my mind at least.

The Path of Creative Discovery

Before the encounter with the Hopscotch game, I was thoroughly engrossed in a podcast and barely noticed the scenery. Not long after, we came across the newly renovated path beside the canal. The route seemed to disappear, almost into infinity. I had to take a photo.

It reminded me of the Middle-earth walking song "The Road Goes Ever On" in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit and again in The Lord of the Rings. I've no idea why, exactly. It was the first thing that popped into my head.

I'm not a fantasy writer, but there's a story there. I'm not sure what it is, but I know it will come to me when the time is right. And all because I noticed a tired game of Hopscotch.

Seeing With Fresh Eyes: A Writer's Perspective

It's all too easy to get lost in our thoughts, blindly walking through life unnoticed and unnoticing. Part of being a writer is seeing things that others miss. Here is where inspiration can find you, seeing the world through the innocent eyes of a child. I'll still listen to podcasts or audiobooks on our walks, just not always. I need to look around and see the world; otherwise, what's the point?

Beauty was all around, but I nearly missed it. The seemingly endless path, the weathered hopscotch pattern – these ordinary things held stories waiting to be discovered. This is the essence of the writer's perspective: finding meaning in what others might walk past without a second glance.

Final Thoughts

I started writing this post several weeks ago when the Magnolia was in full bloom. But I quickly found myself blocked from finishing it for one reason or another. Perhaps it felt too uncomfortable; I couldn't say for sure. It felt that finishing the piece would somehow ruin the creative flow. I felt that my mind needed time to come to terms with the theme.

The lesson is clear to me, at least: Sometimes, stories and even short-form posts like this need time to gel. I don't see it as writer's block, only as a means to an end. What do you think? Does this resonate with you? Let me know in the comments.