[NoHo Arts District, CA] – This month’s Soaring Solo blog focuses on “Writer’s Block: Tips to Unblock You and Unlock Your Solo Story.”
“I don’t believe in writer’s block or waiting for inspiration. If you’re a writer, you sit down and write.” -Elmore Leonard
Writer’s block is a very painful experience. It is agonizing to feel there is a story within you that wants to come out and yet you cannot seem to get past this invisible barrier.
It truly is tragic to hold a piece of solo art within your heart, mind and soul and feel that the next step forward is hidden from you.
That said, in today’s blog I would like to offer you some solutions that I trust will unblock you and unlock your solo show.
1) Change Your Environment
If you typically sit in your home office, try going to a coffee shop, a museum, a park or find a beautiful spot in nature and allow the great outdoors to inspire you!
The point is that different environments provide different sources of focus or inspiration. Even a different room in your home can help to change your perspective and draw out different content.
Sometimes getting out of the house is the best option because you are less likely to fall prey to distractions.
Funny how the laundry needs to get done, the dog needs to be fed and the kitchen floor needs to be deep cleaned the second you sit down at your office desk to write.
Switch up your location and see what new material comes out on the page as a result.
2) Create in Community
I always say that even though it’s a one person play, it takes a community to bring it to fruition.
On your own, you are more likely to believe negative self talk about your script not being any good and freezing up because of that pessimism.
Whereas, having supportive friends to weigh in on your ideas and writing excerpts will provide a wonderful support system. This will encourage your story development and can also help you cultivate the confidence necessary to complete your script.
Being in community also adds a level of accountability that is crucial to finishing your first draft. Sometimes our blocks are really just a false sense of limitless time and therefore no motivation to finish the script. If you have dates on the calendar where you have to share your progress with your accountability partners, the more likely you are to push through the block and get something on the page merely to meet your deadline. Done is better than perfect, so you will push through.
And there’s nothing more valuable than other eyes and ears on our work to brainstorm with us and help us discover the missing piece to our play.
Join the Soaring Solo community for these in-person events by clicking here to connect and be in community!
3) Improvise and Record Yourself
If you are in the habit of sitting down at a computer to write or jotting down countless notes and ideas in a journal, then you may find your process is becoming monotonous and not sparking new content.
In that case, getting up on your feet, walking around, and just improvising can free your mind to break through your blocks.
As the body moves around, you will naturally loosen up and your words will flow with more ease.
Be sure to record yourself so you can capture the gems and transcribe them later.
Hopefully, this month’s blog gave you a few ways to break through your writer’s block and get to the other side!
Being a solo artist may not be easy, but it is so worth it!
Jessica Lynn Johnson
Soaring Solo Blog
Founder and CEO of Soaring Solo LLC
SoaringSoloArtist@gmail.com
Enjoy these Solo Theatre Resources to further guide you on your solo journey!
Tune in and Support the Soaring Solo Community as we share our stories from stage in multiple festivals Internationally. We are in the middle of SOLOFEST at Whitefire Theatre from now until MID MARCH! You do NOT want to miss these incredible shows.
Award-winning director and developer, Jessica Lynn Johnson, hosts a slew of powerful solo show script readings and full staged productions addressing various impactful and inspiring topics.
This enticing lineup can be found by CLICKING HERE FOR MORE INFO.
Start writing your own Solo Show one Freewrite at a time with “FREEWrite Friday”!
Join BEST NATIONAL SOLO ARTIST WINNER Jessica Lynn Johnson for FREEWrite Friday!
Utilizing thought-provoking writing prompts, Jessica will lead you in writing exercises that are sure to assist you in the development of your solo show.
A one-person play is not typically written in one fell swoop. Rather, the Soaring Solo Methodology teaches that the creation of solo art is much like that of creating a Mosaic…one beautiful piece at a time.
All that is required to attend this inspiring event is a willingness to explore, having a pen, paper, or some other means of capturing your thoughts, the ability to access Zoom, and signing up on this page as your official RSVP.
We look forward to having you join the Soaring Solo Community in this event because your story matters!
CLICK HERE TO RSVP and obtain the Zoom link and password.
Attend the Soaring Solo FREE One-Person Play Development class ONLINE!
No matter where you are in the creation of your solo show, idea phase, curiosity phase, full draft written, touring the festival and college market, BEST NATIONAL SOLO ARTIST & Founder of Soaring Solo, Jessica Lynn Johnson, will meet you where you are at and take you to the next level! All that is required to attend is a willingness to explore, a pen, and some paper. No previous writing or performance experience necessary, and no need to have written anything to bring to class. Each week Jessica will guide you in exercises to help generate and stage NEW material! So come and meet other creatives in a supportive space for expression and exploration! The class is ongoing and so you may pop in and out as you please as long as you RSVP by clicking here for this FREE ONE PERSON PLAY CLASS.
Schedule an Online Coaching Consultation with Jessica Lynn Johnson to discuss the possibilities for your solo show!
Jessica brings her 15+ years of solo theatre expertise to work privately with solo artists from all over the world on an as needed basis.
A 1 on 1 Consultation is for you if…
-You are curious about creating a solo show, but you need writing prompts to help you generate material.
– You are tossing around ideas for your solo show, but you need some accountability and encouragement to commit those ideas to the page.
-You have already written some material, but you need expert feedback on editing, story structure and play formatting.
-You have a great first draft, but need guidance on how to utilize multimedia and solo theatre technique in order to make your show a dynamic piece of solo theatre.
-You already premiered your solo show and now you want some tips on how to tour colleges and festivals, and garner accolades and great reviews!
-You have heard great things about Jessica’s work and you’re curious about hiring her as a Director & Developer for your solo show, but first you want to feel her out and see if she is the right fit for you and your project.
Wherever you may find yourself on your solo journey, Jessica will help you overcome whatever immediate obstacle stands between you and your solo success.
If you resonate with many of the things on this list, then take the next step by emailing SoaringSoloArtist@gmail.com for more information.