Although not nearly as strong physically nor as prone to wearing tights and a cape, I do believe writers, like me, hold one thing in common with the likes of Superman. We have our own version of Kryptonite, and that is . . . Writer’s Block. And, like Superman, writers are not immediately overpowered by our Writer’s Block weakness; however we are incredibly vulnerable to its powers, much like Superman in the face of Kryptonite. But, if Superman has taught me anything, it is that there are ways to combat the vulnerability that accompanies Writer’s Block, including tolerance built through repeated exposure, will power, and a general powering through.

When I experienced a pretty strong bout of Writer’s Block, I called on my inner Superman to find the will power to power through. After all, I have endured repeated exposure in small doses of this writer’s Kryptonite over the years, and I have learned that the only way to overcome it is to move through it. That, my friends, is not always an easy task even if it is a simple (and fairly obvious) solution. 

That’s why it can help to have a secret weapon, which I happen to have, in the form of a 17-year-old who contains the matter-of-factness of Lois Lane and the wisdom of Yoda. I don’t know, is there a Yoda-like character in Superman? If not, there really should be. Someone, like my 17-year-old, who can encourage Superman and speak wisdom when he is facing down his arch nemesis while also being made vulnerable under the power of Kryptonite.

As I sat bemoaning my Writer’s Block challenges recently with my oldest, she was at first quick to tell me she “didn’t think I could do it,” referring to whether I could possibly find 365 reasons why I love her and her sister. But, when I explained in greater detail that my mind seemed an empty chamber and accused her and her sister of stealing all the creativity in our home due to their prolific story writing and art creations, she transitioned to her empathetic self, commiserating the ways a blank mind mimics all too well the blank page.

But it was later that evening, as we revisited our writing conversation, that she morphed from empathetic teen into my secret weapon against Writer’s Block. We dove into a wonderful conversation around writing and the writing process. What I think I loved most about this conversation, aside from her encouragement around one of my current works in progress (I always love when she picks up one of my drafts and dives into reading it and talking about it in the same way she does some of her favorite reads, like Wings of Fire or Damsel), was the glimpse of her process and the way her creative mind works. It was such a delight to talk shop with my teenager.

As I talked through my uncertainty about what project to spend my time and energy on, my girl walked me through one of the ways she makes choices when working on her dragon artwork. Even more than her explanation was the wonderful visual she provided using her sticker-covered Chromebook. Her words, combined with her sticker example, offered me some much-needed guidance as I considered several of my current works in progress and which one I might want to choose to focus on for the intense revision process. Although I have not made a final determination regarding a specific project, I have narrowed down the choices, much like my girl does with the concept art that informs her bigger art projects.

As she headed upstairs to work on one of her own projects, I sat on our sofa and smiled, replaying this new connection we’d just shared. What an absolute pleasure it was to share something that matters so deeply to me with someone who isn’t just my teenage daughter, but a fellow creative, fellow artist. Like me, she has struggled with Artist’s Block and she sometimes feels overwhelmed with the possibilities for her creative endeavors. I love that we are forging such a strong creative foundation between us. This kind of bond is one I covet with each of my girls and it is one that is evolving more each day with each of these remarkable creative artists. Truly there is nothing better to undo the effects of this writer’s Kryptonite than being in the company of fellow creatives. My fellow creatives. They are no match for Writer’s Block.