The importance of a creative well.

Hey there, Writer! Why is it important to have a full creative well? I have 20 reasons for you.

Number 1—a full well acts like a safeguard. When you’re stuck or stumbling, your active imagination will help you find ways through. Number 2—a full well keeps you inspired. Number 3—a full well makes you more interesting and enlightens you on topics that you can ultimately share with your readers, fellow writers, or friends and family. Number 4—a full well keeps the inner critic quiet. You will be so busy managing and shaping your ideas, there is little room for your inner critic to pipe up. Number 5—a full well gives you choices. Number 6—a full well means fewer (if any) writer’s blocks because you’re keeping your inspiration (creative energy) at an active state Number 7—a full well means you’re meeting more people, making more connections. Number 8--a full well offers more adventures (stepping outside your comfort zone). Number 9—a full well provides fresh, original ideas. Number 10—a full well helps you build strong writing skills. Number 11—a full well leads you to your own unique voice and style. Number 12—a full well attracts an audience who loves your work. Number 13—a full well means you’re learning new things. Number 14—a full well gives you confidence. Number 15—a full well helps you explore your natural writing forces. Number 16—a full well gives you courage. Number 17—a full well means that you are engaging more with the world. Number 18—a full well gives you purpose. Number 19—a full well encourages you to help others. Number 20—a full well gives you the means to be the change you want to see in the world. I’m the kind of learner that always asks “Okay…but why? …” Even as a young girl, I was never satisfied with being told “Well, because, this is the way things work.” I needed to have a reason, a purpose, assigned to everything.

And if I couldn’t find a satisfactory or believable answer, then I made one up.

This is probably how I came to enjoy writing fiction so much. Although I love to write in all forms, making up stories is my first love. This is where I answered questions that couldn’t be answered—to my satisfaction—in the real world.

As a story coach, I find that offering up reasons for why I suggest certain processes is beneficial for emerging writers. If you have a strong sense of “why” a particular approach is important and “how” it can help you along the way, then don’t you think you’re more likely to commit to whatever it is you’re learning?

I think so, too.

In general, when you take all my twenty reasons above (and if you have your own reasons, I’d love to hear them!), they add up to one fundamental principle: A full creative well attracts more creativity.

If you are familiar with the Law of Attraction, then you know what I’m getting at here.

The more we think about something, or focus on something, or expend our energy on something, the Universe gives us more of that “something.” This works for both negative and positive energies. Admittedly, this might sound a bit simplistic or mystical, but in my experience and from what I have heard from other writers, the more you focus on creativity, the Universe will respond with more creative opportunities.

From there, I believe that the more “stocked” your creative well is, the more efficient it will work. The more energy it will have. Imaginations don’t like running on empty. It’s like a car engine running on fumes. It’s no good for anyone involved.

This means that you need to keep your imagination open as often as possible. Ideas will flit through much more easily that way. Pay attention so you can capture them, like butterflies with a net, by taking notes as they flutter past.

Some will feel more timely or more appropriate than others, but don’t discard the ones that aren’t humming with vibrancy. Simply tuck them away for another time.