Overcoming Creative Blocks — Let it flow! Let it flow!
Thanks so much for featuring me as the Featured Author of the month. I’ve been a member of 12 x 12 for almost 5 years. The incredible community and webinars have been an invaluable part of my journey!
As a busy mom, I struggle to keep a consistent writing routine and stay in a steady creative zone. Each time the kids go on break—which is way too often—I struggle to shake off creative cobwebs and reactivate my foggy mom brain! It’s getting tougher as I get older too, with health challenges that seem to stand in the way of creative joy. I’m looking at you, perimenopause . . .
Living on an island with no seasons (90 degrees and 90% humidity year-round) we often travel during school breaks in search of cooler weather as well as to see family in India. By the time the kids are back at school, I’m clutching my coffee for dear life, nursing holiday blues, and struggling to get back in a routine. Not to mention endless admin, emails, and meekly making my way to the gym . . .
As I see those post-vacay emails come in: Storystorm in January, Fall Writing Frenzy post-summer, and 12 x 12 emails, I fret, I freeze, I panic. I am SO BEHIND!
It’s taken me a while to realize that I need to be in a calm headspace to create, ideate, and do any half-decent writing. I have learned to give myself permission to pause and take care of the things that need my attention first, including my wellness.
I tell myself not to panic. If I miss a few weeks of Storystorm for example (we don’t even get back to school till mid-Jan!), it’s OKAY. The ideas will come at the right time. They are sitting there waiting to be discovered. I tell myself: RELAX, you know how to do this.
After all, I worked as a creative strategist for 15 years at companies like Ogilvy and Facebook in New York and Singapore. It was literally my job to generate ideas for brands. I conducted workshops and hosted brainstorming meetings. I worked with the best creative minds in advertising.
Today, I want to share a few things I’ve learned along the way—
Clean canvas
When we think of where and how creative magic happens, it may conjure up lush inspiring environments like Zen Japanese gardens, beach villas, tech kids cooly cruising on balancing boards filmed by drones. The truth is: most creative workshops in the corporate world are held at awful office buildings in ugly windowless rooms with fluorescent lights, flip charts, whiteboards, bad coffee, and too many carbs! And yet, some of the best ideas come from rooms like this. Why? Because rooms like this are a blank canvas with little distraction. They shut out noise, create focus, and have purpose.
And like the windowless white rooms, when my mind is quiet and clean, and my to-do list isn’t exploding, I feel more creative too. I write better when I’m in a steady routine, my mind is relaxed and ready to focus, my workspace is clutter-free, and my mind is too. Do you know when you are most creative? What environment leaves you creatively energized?
Purposeful ideation
In over-airconditioned ideation rooms, creative teams work with a single purpose and intent—produce good ideas, no matter what. We have a client brief to guide us, we have a deadline, and we have our jobs at stake. If our ideas suck, we will lose the client and our jobs! Whether we are in the mood or not, clutter-free mind or not, we need to present our creative to a discerning and picky client.
Knowing the end goal and having a deadline always helps . . . which is why programs like 12 x 12 work so well. You have a clearly defined output goal to generate at least 12 drafts in 12 months. That is the brief. The client is YOU. You can create this goal and deadline for yourself anytime.
Secret sauce
After attending dozens of workshops, I’m sad to report there isn’t a secret sauce to creativity. Ideas simply need to pour out. For brainstorms to flow, you need a brief and inspiration. The brief tells us about the target audience and the core message we are trying to communicate. The brief gives us insights to better understand why our audience will care and share—what’s the emotional connection? Is there heart?
For ideation, we need inspiration. Programs like Storystorm offer daily blog posts by a range of incredible creators, but inspiration lives around us 365 days a year in the smallest of things . . . we just need to be consciously open and accepting of new ideas. Be a sponge. Absorb and notice everything. Soak it up and write it down! Always work under the premise that there are no bad ideas. We often shoot down our own ideas before they’ve even had a chance to breathe.
Copy sells.
In advertising, great emphasis is placed on tag lines that speak to the heart of the brand and are memorable with high recall. Think of your favorite brands or Superbowl ads—everyone knows the tagline, right? Many of my picture book ideas start with a title aka tagline. This copy might not make it as the final title but at inception, it encapsulates a big idea (or like we say in advertising BHAG- big hairy idea) I’m not sure why ideas need to be hairy, but I do know that my clients always went for catchy concept names or telling tag lines, so maybe editors and agents will fall for them too?
Exercise those muscles.
Creativity isn’t something we can magically invoke. Ideas aren’t always going to be ready to flow. We live in the real world where there are plenty of dry days and creative blocks.
But you can and you should get your butt out of that chair too! Go somewhere new, try something new, eat something new! Discovery of new and different always wakes up the brain. I often get new ideas on travels or even when I’m walking around Little India just 20 minutes from my house!
Like yoga, creativity is a practice. Mind and body. In sync. Intentional. Purposeful.
My upcoming book by HarperCollins (March 2025) THE GREATEST RIVER illustrated by Khoa Le was written line by line after a series of yoga classes during the pandemic at a time when I was using the Ganges River as a calming visual in my yoga practice. Yoga is a clean canvas zone for me.
The more we know about our creative muscles, the more we can warm them up, exercise them, and flex them when we want!
You can do it!
Namita Moolani Mehra is the author of Veena And The Red Roti, Anni Dreams of Biryani, The Light within You, Superfoods for Superheroes, and The Magic Spicebox. She is also the founder of Indian Spicebox, a social impact business with a mission to help fund meals for underprivileged children. Namita grew up in Nigeria, England, and India, studied at Northwestern University, and worked in New York for over a decade. She now lives in Singapore with her husband and children.
You can find her online at www.namitamehra.com and follow her on Instagram @indianspicebox.
Namita is offering a copy of one of her books (US only) or a picture book critique!
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12 x 12 may earn a commission from books purchased through the links in the post. Proceeds go to fund 12 x 12 diversity programming and scholarships.
83 Responses
super inspiring! i love the ideas of thinking of myself as both client and deliverer, and making sure each project has a tag line. Thank you!
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the post!
This is a great new way to look at overcoming creative blocks. Thanks for sharing your insights and experience, and wishing you continued success on your writing journey. Hope you’re always filled with fantastic ideas!
Thanks so much! Appreciate your kind words!
Loved reading this, Namita! Your new book looks gorgeous, and I can’t wait to read it!
Thank you Sharon! ❤️
I love how you express your clear process in seeking the river of ideas you seek. And your books look lovely.
River of ideas… love it! Not always ebbing and flowing haha! Thank you!
Thank you for sharing! I love getting out and about too. Whether hiking or visiting a museum, getting off my butt definitely helps. I call it creativity cross-training.
Oh I love that! Creativity cross training!
I agree ideas come anywhere and everywhere. Lovely parallels drawn into teh corporate world!
Thank you!
I agree, ideas can come anywhere anytime. I especially enjoyed the parallels drawn with the corporate world because I have had similar experiences.
Wonderful ideas! Thank you for sharing your journey! It’s always so inspiring to hear from someone who made it. Thank you again!
Thanks so much! The journey continues …
Wonderful ideas and info! Thanks so much!
This was an amazing post, thank you so much! I desperately needed to read this right now and appreciate your honesty and openness. And, I am currently traveling out of the country and will channel your thoughts on inspiration and creativity! Congrats to you!
Thanks so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you, Namita, for giving us the courage and permission to get out of our chairs and enjoy the world while our imaginations go wild and free. Loved your reflections.
Thanks so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed the article
This was so comforting because I feel the same way! You can’t control you’re creativity, but you can give it opportunities to flow. Thanks for the wizened words.
Thank you! I’m glad it resonated with you!
Oh, I can relate! I always feel behind and I have to remind myself relax and take the time to get into that calm headspace. Thanks for sharing the things you”ve learned along your writing journey.
Glad you could relate! It’s so tough isn’t it!? Thank you!
You set up this article so well with an explanation of your life. It helped me identify and then listen to what you had to say. You are delightful.
Aww thanks so much! Thank you for reading and commenting!
What a helpful and inspiring article. I love the Ganges as a focusing and mind clearing vision. Thank you.
Thank you so much! It has been a source of strength for me and I hope you have one too!
Oh yes, I know that overwhelmed feeling that sucks the life out of creativity. It’s reassuring to hear (what at some level I think I knew, but never acknowledged) that creativity can’t be controlled, that it’s okay to take a breather, and that living free of all the ‘shoulds’ (well most of them LOL) may get those ideas flowing again. Thank you for reminding me that to be creative you have to participate in the world, even if that world is just the part down the street.
Thank you! I love how beautifully you’ve expressed this.
Thank you for sharing your insights. I’m most productive in the morning. It’s the peace and quiet of those early hours that help me to focus. Yet, walks in nature and sometimes dreams from the night spark my creative mind. I look forward to reading THE GREATEST RIVER and love knowing how the story became a picture book.
Thank you! Mornings are my favourite now too! And to think I was never a morning person…
Wonderful write up, Namita! So inspired to power on with getting those ideas down! Love the analogy of the client brief.
Thanks so much Marzieh ❤️
Thank you for the helpful tips and encouraging words.
I’m glad you found them helpful!
Thanks for the ideas on how to help generate and create ideas.
Thank you, Namita, for your encouraging ideas. I’m going to ensure that I focus on writing a brief for each of my picture books, that I am consciously open to any and all ideas, that I write a tagline for each book and that I visit new places and enjoy new experiences.
I look forward to reading your books and I wish you continued success with your future writing.
I’m going to look for your beautiful books, Namita. I have a lot of starts and stops and thinking of myself as a client who needs a finished project is an interesting mindset I’m going to try! Wishing you a happy (late!) Diwali in a year of lightness and prosperity.
Thank you so much for this wonderful post – just what I needed this morning! Your books are gorgeous – congrats on your success!
This is a great post, and integrates much of what I think of as my own quirky inspirational process. I am traveling tomorrow, not out of my country, but on a ‘dream’ vacation none the less. I can’t wait for the new insights. Thanks!
Thank you Namita Moolani Mehra, I need to write down those crazy Do-I-have-a-story once again. Tomorrow, I’m attending a Friends of the State Park meeting. It’s something new. Something different. And something I will enjoy. Maybe a story idea will emerge.
Great ideas and tips, Namita! Can relate to so much of what you said. Love the title (and cover) of The Light Within You. And look forward to reading The Greatest River. I’m a water person, too. Having a lake as my neighbor, watching it, listening to it, seeing it in all sorts of weather, never fails to offer calm and tranquility when life gets a bit hectic! All the best to you in your writing journey.
I printed your comments so that I can re-read a few times and reflect on steps that I can take to improve my writing practice. I am such a fan of a clean, dedicated space. I moved my desk about five times before I found a spot that felt right and did not give me pause each time I sat down to write. A modified Feng Shui mindset was a bit of a help with figuring this out. Great, thought-provoking tips. And now off to find your books!
Thank you for your calming suggestions. Work and parental demands have really been zapping me lately so I appreciate the support and encouragement.
Thank you, Namita! I haven’t written anything new for a bit and found these suggestions helpful! I need to find myself a “clean canvas” and get the ideas flowing.
Thank you for this excellent post about ideation and finding the ways that best spark our own creative energy! I look forward to reading your upcoming book!
This was super inspiring, Namita! I’ve been rethinking my own creative strategies lately and it was very helpful to hear how you prioritize your wellness and find ways to create clean canvases. I’ll be thinking about this a lot as I consider how to end this year strong. Thank you!
Thank you for your words of wisdom on creativity.
OH perimenopause! No one told me there might be months I could not write a lick because my body stopped making hormones! But that aside, love the suggestion to know where you need to be to work effectively. Congrats on your upcoming book!
Love your books, Namita! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for such an inspiring post and the reminder that creativity is a practice! I look forward to reading your books, Namita!
Namita, I connected with so much of what you said here! Thank you so much for sharing–and congrats on your book successes!
Namita, thank you so much for your insights and inspiration. Reading your post sparked my enthusiasm to start a new writing adventure!
Inspiring post, Namita! And so many great reminders about about the creative process and making space for inspiration. Looking forward to your next book!
What perfect timing for this post with going into the busy holiday season and setting lots of writing goals for the New Year! I really appreciate the helpful reminder that being calm is important for creativity, and not to get caught up in the thoughts of “I’m falling behind!”
Thanks for the post. Funny but the idea of a white windowless room scares me. I need clutter and a window into the world to create. I relax, stare at the tops of trees (that are green and leafy, yellow and red, or bare depending on the season), and the ideas flow in. Just an example of how many different roads lead to creativity. Thanks again.
I agree about the clean mind-space. Riding my bike, showering, savasana…those work great for me.
Thanks for a great post- I find re-organizing my work space and de-cluttering my to do list always helps to free up my mind for a creative idea.
Super inspiring and much needed post right now. Thank you.
Finding time for inspiration during this holiday season is a challenge. Thanks for reminding us to take time for ourselves.
This post means a lot to me, as I struggle daily with various ‘to-do’ lists as a busy working mother. And the December timing is perfect. Thanks for the inspiration!
So much can impede our creative process. Thanks for the tips on overcoming distractions and learning to let the creativity flow!
Working with tag lines is an interesting approach. Thanks for sharing.
I have felt like that ALL YEAR LONG! I’m so behind, but also ready for a new start. Whew! Just you mentioning a clean blank space was refreshing. Now if I can only get to that point! Thank you for sharing with us!
THIS post really resonated with me! Thank you for sharing this and validating how I think and feel! Your upcoming book cover is beautiful! Looking forward to reading it.
Thank you for your inspiring post…I love that you prioritize self care and other responsibilities…it reminds me that it’s OK to be human. And your other tips are very helpful!
There may not be a secret sauce, but letting ideas breathe is great “saucy” advice! Thanks <3
There may not be a secret sauce, but letting ideas breathe is great “saucy” advice! Thanks <3
Thank you for sharing your tips and advice.
It’s a relief to hear that other writers–even wonderfully successful writers like you–struggle with being overwhelmed by all we are supposed to do (StoryStorm, 12×12, SCBWI, critique groups). I love your ideation idea and will use it for sure. And I have just started to let things go…it’s OK if I don’t get 12 drafts done in 12 months this year, for instance. Thank you for this much-needed post!
Thanks for your post Moolani. I could not be creative in a sterile white room. I need to see things around me that inspire a story or look outside
and find a topic to write about. When I am stuck I take a walk because sitting in front of a television isn’t the answer to finding ideas even with snow
outside and cold messy air inversions. Thanks for your ideas to work through and revise more of my starts and stops in my manuscripts.
Namita, Thank you for your advice. I have many days, when finding my creative zone eludes me. I tell myself, once I get this done, I can write. But then, I add something else and something else, etc. to accomplish first. Keeping a clutter free workspace, resonates with me. I looked at my desk and realized the bills, the housekeeping chore list and extraneous papers…must be out of sight, when I am writing! Thank you!
Great Post!
I really like the part about estblishing your tag line early- then going with it (you can change it later) .
I also likethe idea of starting with a clean canvas.
To see that others are dealing with the same issues helps with the self doubt and realize
it comes with the territory.
Good timing on your post, too
Congratulations on your books !!
I like the idea that creativity is a practice.
I hope never to set foot in a corporate conference room again, but thanks for reminding us that ideas are everywhere, and a little deadline pressure can help bring them to light!
Dear Namita, First, I love Biryani and your post made me hungry! I have never made it myself, but someday I will attempt. Eating good food definitely helps my creativity…if I am not too exhausted from preparing and cleaning up.
Thank you for your tips. I like your idea of a tag line. And, of course, setting deadlines.
Best wishes on your future ideas and books!
Your wisdom reinforces my nine-year-old’s advice to me around the breakfast table this morning. I was sharing that I felt “stuck” on an idea for my December draft, and she told me that if i just went outside for five minutes and looked around, I would come back inside with something to write about. It’s so important to create space for that clean canvas, especially during the busiest seasons! Thanks for the encouragement today!
Thank you for sharing!
Great post! Thanks for sharing, Namita.
That you for a lovely, inspirational quote. I really resonated with I’M SO BEHIND! 🙂
Thank you for sharing these creative tips! Your stories are beautiful – cannot wait to read The Greatest River.
Thank you for this. I love your thoughts about the optimal environment and “the client is you.” Look forward to reading your books!