Despair

Why is it that writers and all other artists are most creative during moments of despair?
Is it because despair brings us close to mortality, and while thinking about our own demise we are somehow put in touch with the spirit world, whose residents inspire us, or is it something else?
What do you think?

[urgeok]

it's not just despair - it's conflict.
conflict inspires creativity of all kinds ...

when people feel joy they are too busy enjoying the feeling to sit down and try to artistically express it ..

but when they are feeling anger, sadness, conflict, - they desire change - and expressing those feelings artistically is a step closer to making the change ..
In the past that was often the only way they could protest - through art. Speaking out could get your head removed.

thats my take on it anyway ..

[tom-tom]

Originally posted by thepennh
Why is it that writers and all other artists are most creative during moments of despair?
Is it because despair brings us close to mortality, and while thinking about our own demise we are somehow put in touch with the spirit world, whose residents inspire us, or is it something else?
What do you think?

For me any kind of emotion - be it anger, depression, whatever - always helps my writing. It makes my characters more realistic and anables me to envisage any situation and know exactly how it should be done and the correct motovations behind it.