We were lucky to catch up with Rebecca Martin recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Rebecca, so excited to have you with us today, particularly to get your insight on a topic that comes up constantly in the community – overcoming creativity blocks. Any thoughts you can share with us?
As an editor and author, I deal with creativity blocks all the time, whether in my own mind or in the authors I’m supporting. Classic writer’s block is usually described as staring at a blank page and not being able to get started, but really, these blocks can take so many forms. And they can be so debilitating, as they stall us in our efforts and trigger all sorts of mental health or even just practical issues!
The first step, for me, is figuring out what kind of creative block I’m experiencing.
Am I having difficulty connecting with my own creativity?
Am I frustrated with the quality of the product or story I’m creating?
Have I received criticism (either good or bad!) that has sent me into self-doubt?
Am I stressed about an upcoming deadline, and that’s causing me to freeze?
Exploring and putting a name to the creative block, whether through journaling, a conversation, or just a moment of self-awareness, goes a long way toward beating that block. From here, we can begin to exercise self-compassion, connect with our audience, and give our minds and hearts what they need to move forward.
Once I’ve identified what’s going on, I start with self-compassion. I take a deep breath, step away for a minute, or do a grounding exercise that helps me move out of fight-or-flight and into a more balanced reality.
Then I acknowledge my temptation to catastrophize. Yes, this block feels insurmountable; yes, it feels like I’m losing valuable time because I can’t get into a creative headspace; yes, I feel like my work is worthless. Those feelings are real, but their message isn’t true. When I can separate the feelings from the truth, I am ready to try and reconnect with my creativity. That doesn’t mean I’ve convinced myself my work is amazing! It just means I have acknowledged that my feelings aren’t a reliable guide in this scenario.
Now, it’s time to connect with my audience. Blank page writer’s block or the parallel artistic equivalent is a fallacy: it traps us into thinking that we’re writing for ourselves, or writing for the sake of the writing itself. That’s never true! We create, for the sake of the person who is going to read, hear, see, and experience our art.
Reconnecting with my audience might mean reaching out to a beta reader and asking them to remind me what they loved about my story. It might mean reading positive reviews of past work, or just asking a friend or mentor for encouragement. I often tell my authors to create a character who encapsulates their audience, and try speaking directly to that character when they’re feeling stuck. When you remember that you’re engaging with real people, not a blank page, creativity becomes a conversation rather than a burden.
Last but not least, it’s time to rediscover the gift of boredom. When we’re constantly stimulated by social media, apps, all the icons on our computer, the lure of internet rabbit-trails, and an extensive to-do list, of course we struggle to create! The best solution I’ve found to creative block of any kind is a long drive in the car (in fact, I just came back from a five-hour weekend road trip on which I ended up entirely re-plotting a novel that had been causing me problems!) My hands are busy, so I can’t type or swipe or otherwise distract myself. Driving well occupies the problem-solving part of my brain, leaving the creative part to muse on a complicated plot point, dream up a new idea, or just filter through the thoughts and emotions that might be holding me back.
Now, all that being said, sometimes you just need to take a nap, shower, or walk, or eat a snack, and the world looks brighter. Listen to your body, mind, and heart, and sooner or later you’ll find yourself ready to try again.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
Sometimes I joke that I have no hobbies outside of publishing…which is more true than it probably should be! I work as a full-time acquisitions editor for a Catholic publishing company (OSV); on the side, I freelance for a fiction imprint (Chrism Press). I also volunteer my time as communications coordinator/editor for a 500+ member organization (Central Province Lay Dominicans), and of course write my own books, from children’s titles to clean contemporary romance and fantasy novels. Microsoft Word and I are devout frenemies at this point — but lest you worry about my eyes and back, I do garden and sing in a concert choir as well!
Working in publishing allows me to interact with so many amazing people. I get to dream up new ideas with my team, connect with experts, coach new writers and learn from experienced writers, produce excellent material, and dive deeper into my craft every day. I’ve recently begun giving presentations at conferences and with writing groups, which has been a great way to synthesize the last ten years of my work experience. I love pulling back the curtain on traditional publishing, and equipping aspiring writers with the tools they need for success.
My debut children’s book, _Meet Sister Mary Margaret_, released in August 2023 from OSV Kids. It will be followed in August 2024 by my debut novel, _Love in the Eternal City: A Swiss Guard Romance_, the first of a trilogy. I am working on book 2 of the Swiss Guard romances, as well as preparing a first draft of my royal fantasy novel, currently titled _The Sapphire Crown_, which will release from WhiteCrown Publishing.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Be well-read. If you want to be a writer or an editor, the same advice applies: read! Read a lot! Read in the genres you love and the genres you don’t. Read the classics, read current best-sellers and indie titles, read middle-grade and YA and adult. The more you read, the more aware you become about what works and what doesn’t. I was able to step into editing, in part, because I had this big well of experiences with books to draw on. The same was true when I began my journey as an author.
2. Be compassionate and diplomatic. Truth be told, I had no idea how much diplomacy would be part of my work! An editor’s job is to advocate for her author with her team, and represent her team to her author. As an author, I am writing for my audience and interacting with my publishing team. In every case I am working with real people, living real lives, who have real struggles. Being able to empathize and communicate clearly with each person is essential.
3. Be humble and willing to learn. Humility isn’t putting yourself down or focusing on your flaws. It’s simply a truthful acknowledgment of your strengths and weaknesses — and when you can do that, you’re in a position to absorb the experiences and insights of others. This applies to every industry and art, and really just basic human functioning!
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
I have awesome parents who have always challenged me to grow and learn. Probably the most impactful thing they’ve ever done was make the decision to homeschool me. Throughout those years, from preschool all the way through high school graduation, I was able to explore my talents, participate in amazing experiences, and flourish as a well-rounded human. My family was my home base, the place I discovered who I am, the place I could come back to for consolation and encouragement. I’m so grateful for the time and energy my parents put into raising my sisters and me, and especially for the gift of homeschooling.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rebeccawmartin.com
- Instagram: @rebecca.w.martin
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085959912508
Image Credits
headshot (feature image): Jennifer Buckley Photography cover images: OSV
