'That sounds exactly like writer's block!' l said.
The speaker was talking about problems that photographers face and questions they’re burdened by.
Will it be good enough?
Am I good enough?
Am I secretly kidding myself that I’m good enough?
Is everyone else’s work better than mine?
Are they more talented than me?
Will my photos (writing) be original/creative/stylish/professional enough?
Will other people (Mum, Dad, teachers friends someone who was a bit critical once and I’ve never forgotten about it - ad infinitum) like my work? And really I suppose – will they like me?
Have I got it right, not just right, exactly exactly...perfectly completely utterly right.
They called it Me-Cramp but I think of it as the Photographer's Writer's Block. And I expect there’s the same thing for every creative job – Artist’s Anxiety, Dancer’s Dilema, Actor’s stage fright…(Although I like the Me-Cramp term best as it says exactly what it is and is so spot on.)
As well as the Me-Cramp talk there were lots of discussions about the importance of putting heart and passion in your work. Being true to yourself owning it.
But the Me-Cramp question asked loudly and boldly or in a tiny weeny voice always seemed to be the same:
'Am I good enough?'
And the answer is: 'Of course you are.' J
Ruth Symes also writes as Megan Rix winner of Stockton-on-Tees children's book of the year 2014 and Shrewsbury Bookfest 2014.
