I had a wonderful creative breakthrough yesterday. You see, for several weeks now I have been stuck trying to find a solution to a plot line problem in one of my book projects. It has seriously been bugging me. So much so that I haven’t worked on it in a while. Also, because it feels like the answer should be obvious. I know I’m sounding vague, but I don’t want to give away the farm just yet.

So, I decided to temporarily shelve the book project. I purposely chose to not try and force a solution. I figured I would just let the problem lie and trust that the answer would reveal itself in its own due time.

And this is how I solved my story dilemma: I set the book project aside and started working on something else completely unrelated.

You see, I was talking with a friend and we were hashing out ideas for a graphic novel we want to partner on. No biggie. Just big-picture, pie-in-the-sky concepts, etc. From there, the discussion evolved into story arcs and themes and why the two parties involved in the story would say and do what they would.

Then, like a bolt of lightning, I had a flash of insight about my book dilemma. BAM! Clear as day. Out of the blue. Problem solved.

Once again, reinforcing an age-old concept: Creativity begets creativity.

The human mind is such an incredible thing. When we stop trying to force inspiration and just open up to whatever shows up, it is amazing to see what comes rushing in.