"The constraints of writing alphabet-themed mysteries ('N' is for Noose and so on) concentrate her creativity in a (mostly) positive way, novelist Sue Grafton told me. She compares writing mysteries to a hand of bridge, where you're always dealt 13 cards, and within those cards you have no idea what you're going to do or where you're going to go. 'And so the skill,' she said, 'is to take the rules and regulations and push them as far as you can.'"
"One way to both loosen and focus your thinking, whether you're planning to write poetry or prose, is to give yourself an assignment such as: Write a series of lines beginning with 'I wish. . .' or 'No!' or 'Alas!' or 'Amazingly. . .,' or, as my late husband Stephen, a boundary-breaking poet, once suggested, 'The elephant has big balls.' Then give yourself five or 10 minutes to write."
"It often helps to reframe the task you're facing. If you can narrow the gap between the effort you will be putting forth and the desired outcome, you may find that the anxiety diminishes."
Successful writers often face anxiety related to their craft, stemming from the pressure to meet various expectations. To combat this, some writers utilize self-imposed constraints, which can lead to improved creativity and reduced stress. For instance, novelist Sue Grafton likens writing mysteries to playing bridge, where limitations can enhance creativity. Additionally, giving oneself specific writing prompts can stimulate thought and emotion, helping to overcome writer's block and anxiety.
Read at Psychology Today
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