Sparking the Creative Process
by Nancy Sackheim
If you're struggling with writer's block, or someone you love has writer's block, and is impossible to be around, it's time to take a night off and watch a movie. Specifically, The Man Who Invented Christmas, released in the U.S. on November 22, 2017 by Bleecker Street .
Written by Susan Coyne and directed by Bharat Nalluri the production brings to vivid reality this whimsical envisioning of the story behind the story of how Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol and manages to turn the morass of writer's block into a highly entertaining romp imagining what his creative process might have looked like. The locations and richly-layered sets brilliantly capture Victorian England and the magic of Dickens’ classic Christmas story.
We learn that Christmas 1843 is rapidly approaching and, after a couple of recent flops, Dickens needs a new hit novel to salvage his writer's reputation, as well as pay for the lavish lifestyle to which he and his family have become accustomed. Dickens is paralyzed by writer’s block until he overhears Tara, one of the housemaids, telling his children a Christmas tale.
Tara’s story-telling inspires Dickens and sends him careening into the creative process. During reluctant forays into the real world he nicks names, characters, dialogue, whole scenes even, and brings them back into his imaginary world, creating a magical tale of redemption.
While Dickens struggles to overcome writer's block and fields constant interruptions from family and friends, his imaginary characters begin to write the story for him, berating him when he fails to listen or incorporate their suggestions. Scrooge, in particular, feels his side of the story is given short shrift, and blames Dickens' shortcomings as a writer.
Ultimately, all is resolved and the story is told. A Christmas Carol is published, becomes an overnight success, and has a lasting impact on the Christmas holiday. The creative process triumphs!
Writers leave the movie feeling they've met a kindred spirit, and those who love and live with writers may be a bit more understanding of these sometimes baffling creatures who often talk to themselves or spend hours staring into space. A thoroughly entertaining evening for all.
writer's block, inspiration, characters, creative process, Creativity and Inspiration
