The Exhaustion of Creativity: When the Well Runs Dry

Photo by Ryan Snaadt

Creativity is a wondrous thing—an endless expanse of imagination, emotion, and storytelling. As a writer, I live and breathe creativity, shaping words into stories that (hopefully) resonate with readers. But what happens when the well runs dry? What happens when the very force that fuels my work suddenly feels out of reach?

I’ve faced creative exhaustion more times than I care to count. It’s not simply writer’s block or a lack of inspiration. It’s a deep, bone-tired fatigue that makes the act of creation feel like scaling an impossible mountain. And it doesn’t come from laziness or a lack of passion. It often stems from pushing too hard, from constantly pouring out without taking the time to refill.

As authors, we feel the pressure to produce, to keep up with deadlines, to stay relevant in an ever-changing literary landscape. The expectation to always be “on” can be overwhelming, and the fear of falling behind can drive us to exhaustion. But creativity isn’t an assembly line. It’s a living, breathing thing that needs care, rest, and time to replenish.

So, how do we navigate this exhaustion? How do we reclaim our creative energy when it feels depleted?

1. Step Away Without Guilt – Taking breaks isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. Resting isn’t a failure—it’s an investment in future creativity.

2. Feed the Imagination – Read books, watch films, listen to music, take walks, have conversations. Inspiration often comes from the world around us, not just from within.

3. Change the Process – If the usual routine feels like a burden, shake things up. Write in a new location, try a different medium, experiment with freewriting.

4. Prioritize Self-Care – Sleep, hydration, movement, and mental well-being play an enormous role in sustaining creativity. The mind and body are not separate entities.

5. Give Yourself Permission to Write Badly – Perfectionism is creativity’s enemy. Allow yourself to create without judgment. The magic happens in the messy drafts, in the imperfect attempts.

I remind myself often that creativity isn’t something that can be forced or willed into existence. It ebbs and flows, much like the tide. The key is to trust that the words will return, that inspiration will spark again, that the well will refill in time.

To my fellow creatives out there feeling the weight of exhaustion: You are not alone. Take a deep breath, take a step back, and give yourself the grace to rest. Your creativity is still there, waiting patiently for you to meet it once more.

Wren Valentino

Seven Stage Plays That Explore the Complexities of Dating

At Blue Dasher Press, we believe in the power of storytelling to illuminate the human experience. Through our collection of stage plays by award-winning playwright Wren Valentino, we invite artists, directors, and theatre companies to explore the theme of dating in all its complexity—its joys, heartbreaks, and unexpected connections. Best of all, our entire catalogue is available as printable PDFs at a pay-what-you-want rate, with no royalties required. This ensures that theatre-makers of all sizes and budgets have the opportunity to bring these compelling narratives to life.

Here are seven stage plays that delve into the triumphs and tribulations of modern romance:

1. Awake
After a night of drinking at a local bar, Justin brings Misty back to his apartment, offering her a place to sleep on his couch. When morning comes, their casual encounter reveals a deeper need for connection. 

2. Before Harmony Sleeps with Jeff
Gilbert is infatuated with Harmony, a young woman he meets in a fast food restaurant. Determined to win her over before she sleeps with her unfaithful boyfriend, Jeff, Gilbert faces the challenge of proving he is the better choice. This one-act play features roles for two men and one woman and contains adult language and subject matter. It has been featured in The Best Men's Stage Monologues.

3. Don't Say Bad Things About Me
Keith and Carla meet at a bar at the request of their best friends, who have recently broken up. Each has been led to dislike the other—despite never having met before. What starts as a conversation about their friends’ failed relationship turns into a humorous and unexpected connection. This short comedic play features roles for one woman and one man and has been featured in The Best Men's Stage Monologues and The Best Women's Stage Monologues.

4. Let's Not Confuse the Situation
Janessa Martin struggles with her decision to give her new boyfriend, Colby Varner, a key to her apartment. As their past relationship wounds resurface, Janessa and Colby must confront their trust issues and fears about commitment.

5. The Seventh of August
Erica’s decade-long relationship has ended without warning. Lloyd’s girlfriend has slept with all of his friends—and two of his relatives. When Erica loses her parking ticket in the underground garage where Lloyd works as a customer service manager, their broken hearts and fractured lives collide in unexpected ways.

6. Sloe Gin Fizz
On a rainy night, two male co-workers, Marco and Christopher, find solace in each other’s company. Marco is trapped in a loveless marriage, while Christopher is reeling from yet another failed relationship. Over the course of one night, they navigate the complexities of love, societal expectations, and emotional vulnerability.

7. Trixie's Last Date with the Boogey Man
Southern belle Trixie Howard is determined to survive a date from hell—literally—in a desperate attempt to avoid being single any longer. This darkly comedic play takes an imaginative and absurd approach to the trials of modern dating.

Each of these plays presents a unique perspective on romance, heartbreak, and human connection, offering rich material for performers and audiences alike. By making these works available without financial barriers, we hope to empower theatre-makers to share meaningful stories with their communities. Whether you are an independent artist, a community theatre, or an educational institution, these plays are ready to be brought to life on your stage.

Explore our full catalogue and download these plays today at Blue Dasher Press. Let’s create theatre that resonates, inspires, and brings people together.

Blue Dasher Press Announces the Release of Wonder Land by Bestselling Author Wren Valentino

Blue Dasher Press is thrilled to announce the publication of Wonder Land, a gripping and heartfelt young adult supernatural romance novel by bestselling author Wren Valentino. Available exclusively in Kindle Unlimited, this enchanting story is one that blends magic, love, and loss into a narrative that will captivate readers from beginning to end.

After the devastating loss of her mother to cancer, fifteen-year-old Destiny Moore is forced to leave her home in Chicago and start fresh on the mysterious island of Avalon Cove, South Carolina. There, she moves in with her eccentric Uncle Fred and his husband Clark, and finds herself working part-time as a magician’s assistant—a far cry from her former life. As Destiny navigates her grief and attempts to adjust to her new home, she befriends two fellow outsiders, Tasha Gordon and Topher McGentry.

The trio is drawn to Wonder Land, an eerie and enchanting former boarding house owned by the enigmatic Adrianna Marveaux. It’s here that Destiny meets Dominic, and a deep connection is sparked. Meanwhile, Tasha finds herself intrigued by the mysterious Juliet, and Topher's heart is captured by Pablo. As their bonds grow, Destiny uncovers a shocking truth about why she and her friends were all brought to Wonder Land, and faces an impossible decision that will change their lives forever.

In Wonder Land, Wren Valentino explores the complex and painful themes of grief and loss through the lens of young love, friendship, and magic. Blending supernatural elements with deep emotional resonance, the novel invites readers to consider how the process of healing from loss can take unexpected forms and lead to profound personal growth.

Wren Valentino shared with us what inspired him to tackle these powerful themes in his latest novel:

“Grief is a universal experience, but it often feels like something we have to carry alone. I wanted to explore how young people—who are just starting to understand their own identities—process such profound loss, and how love can act as both a salve and a catalyst for change. The idea of blending magic and sorrow was particularly compelling to me; what if the mystical could help unlock parts of ourselves we’ve closed off in our pain? What if the impossible, like finding love in the midst of loss, could be a form of healing? That’s what I wanted to explore with Wonder Land—the intersection of magic, sorrow, and love, and how all three can shape our journeys toward understanding and acceptance.”

Wonder Land is now available to read for free with a Kindle Unlimited subscription, allowing fans of magical realism, romance, and stories of self-discovery to dive right in. Whether you’re looking for a book to lose yourself in or a story that will touch your heart, Wonder Land promises to deliver an unforgettable experience.

Get your copy today and start the journey to Avalon Cove—where magic, love, and the search for self intertwine in ways you won’t soon forget.

New Release: Bells and Spells by Wren Valentino—A Magical Halloween Romance

Bestselling author Wren Valentino is back with a spellbinding new short story, Bells and Spells, now available exclusively in a Kindle Unlimited Edition!

When college student Dara Kovach decides to take a gap year as an apartment sitter in Chicago, she expects a quiet break from academic life. What she doesn’t expect is to cross paths with a mysterious black cat named Ichabod on Halloween night—an encounter that will change her destiny forever. Blending magic, romance, and the spirit of the season, Bells and Spells is the perfect read for lovers of autumn enchantment.

“This story was an absolute joy to write,” says Valentino. “I dedicated it to my mother, who loves cats, love stories, and Halloween even more than I do.”

Curl up with a cup of tea, light a candle, and let Bells and Spells whisk you away on a journey of fate, mystery, and heartwarming magic.

📖 Read Bells and Spells now, available exclusively on Kindle Unlimited!

February Reflections: A Month of Creativity, Achievements, and Love

January was a super-sized month for me as a writer—so many projects came to fruition, a few new accolades were earned, and exciting new opportunities were presented. It was one of those months where the momentum of my creative work felt unstoppable, and February has continued to bring wonderful developments.

One of the most exciting pieces of news is that my all-female play I Bet She Has a Party to Go To has been selected for inclusion in the upcoming anthology The Best 10-Minute Plays of 2025, to be published by Smith & Kraus and edited by Debbie Lamedman. This play had its world premiere at Futures Explored Film Studio last January (2024), and I am beyond thrilled to see it reach a wider audience. The play explores the reactions of three women after they watch a beautiful, free-spirited woman roller-skate through a city park—resentment, curiosity, and deep-seated emotions emerge as they reflect on her assumed carefree life.

On the horror front, my voice will be featured in the upcoming films Amityville: Infinity, Ouija Slumber Party, and Paula Takes the Stage. Additionally, I am thrilled to be a part of Morgan Wellborn’s upcoming project Circus Satanicus. Horror storytelling continues to be an exciting part of my career, and I can’t wait to see these projects come to life.

Speaking of horror, my short film script The Playhouse was recently named a finalist for The Thing in the Basement Horror Fest. This recognition is an incredible honor, and I’m hopeful the script will soon find its way to production.

On the producing side, I Feel Fine, a beautiful film I’m an associate producer of, is now available on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Seeing this film reach audiences through major streaming platforms is an amazing milestone, and I highly encourage everyone to check it out.

One of my favorite films this season is Gia Coppola’s brilliant The Last Showgirl. The entire cast is fantastic, and I must give a special shoutout to Pamela Anderson for delivering a career-best performance. If you haven’t seen this movie yet, add it to your must-watch list!

Several of my new works have also been released recently, including:

• Just Before the World (short story) – Naomi and Dominic, both grieving the loss of loved ones, form a deep connection while spending time together in a cemetery.

• Homecomings (short play) – In a small-town laundromat, two former high school rivals come face-to-face for the first time in over forty years.

• Love in the Shadows (novel) – When American journalist Quintin Pearson meets the mysterious Luca, an Italian spy, in the wake of an ambassador’s assassination, a spark ignites that soon becomes an intense, passionate affair. Their journey takes them from London to a secluded seaside town in Belgium as they work together to uncover the truth behind the assassination.

• Check out my film reviews at Fantastic Classics. 

In literary news, I recently had the pleasure of reading some of my poetry at The Avid Reader in Sacramento. The event was sponsored by the wonderful team at Queer Sacramento Authors Collective (QSAC), and I was grateful for the opportunity to share my work with such an engaged audience.

Another incredible honor this month: I received first prize in the Fade In Awards TV Pilot/Web Series Competition for the pilot episode script of my original television series Her Other Life. This show follows two teenage sisters who suspect their bipolar mother led a secret life—and that her death may never have happened. It’s a deeply personal and thrilling project, and I’m excited about the possibilities ahead for it.

I also had the opportunity to teach The Who Exercise: Getting to Know Your Characters workshop for the fantastic members of Contemporary Romance Writers. It was such a rewarding experience, and I’m looking forward to teaching a dozen more workshops for various writing organizations and groups throughout the year. More details on these soon!

This month also brought two delightful personal discoveries. First, I’m absolutely loving Marie Antoinette on PBS—it’s an engaging and beautifully crafted series. Second, I’ve found a new favorite comic book character in DC’s Mister Miracle. Sometimes, the best joys come from stumbling upon something new that resonates deeply.

Outside of my creative pursuits, January was filled with cherished family moments. We enjoyed a fun outing to Leatherby’s ice cream parlor, participated in a trivia night at Futures Explored Film Studio (we came in last in all three rounds, but at least we were consistent!), and celebrated my mother-in-law’s 75th birthday. On a less enjoyable note, I had the first of two dental surgeries, and I’m still recovering—ouch!

As we move further into the month, I want to wish everyone a beautiful Valentine’s Day. As someone who writes a lot about love, I believe deeply in its power—whether romantic, platonic, or self-love. Let’s all make an effort to share more love in this world. We all need it.

Wishing you all a wonderful February filled with creativity, joy, and connection!

With love and gratitude,

Wren

Blue Dasher Press Announces the Release of Love in the Shadows by Wren Valentino

Bestselling author Wren Valentino returns with a thrilling new novel, Love in the Shadows, a story of passion, espionage, and deadly intrigue. Set against the backdrop of London high society and a shadowy European underworld, this novel is a pulse-pounding journey into the unexpected.

Quintin Pearson, an American journalist living in London, has spent the past two years trying to mend his broken heart. But when he accepts an invitation to an exclusive party hosted by Regina Bremington, the U.S. ambassador’s enigmatic wife, his life is forever changed. A shocking assassination plunges the evening into chaos, and in the cover of darkness, Quintin finds himself drawn to a stranger he cannot see—Luca, an Italian spy with secrets of his own. Their undeniable connection sparks a clandestine affair that leads them to a secluded seaside town in Belgium, where Luca reveals his true identity and persuades Quintin to help him track down the ambassador’s killer. As the danger intensifies, so does their passion, but can their growing trust survive the perilous mission ahead?

Reflecting on the novel, Valentino shares:

“I wanted to explore the ways in which love and danger intertwine, especially when trust is a matter of life and death. Quintin and Luca’s journey is one of desire, risk, and redemption, set against the moody elegance of Europe’s grand cities and hidden corners. Writing this novel was an exhilarating experience, and I hope readers are swept away by the intrigue as much as I was.”

With its intoxicating mix of mystery, romance, and international espionage, Love in the Shadows is a must-read for those who love high-stakes adventure and unexpected love stories. Get your copy today and step into the shadows—where passion and peril collide.

Available from Blue Dasher Press