Forcing art...

One of the biggest lessons I've learned as an actor/writer is not to force things.  This is in fundamental opposition to the demands placed upon us as artists.  Everyone wants results:  actors will often force specific emotions.   Writers will often force specific plot points/information/language to help carry the story.

The problem with forcing these things is that you stop listening.

• In acting, when you force an emotional result without paying attention to the world around you, the acting seems "over the top" or "inauthentic."  This is because in life humans rarely force emotions.  It's usually just the opposite.  We often try very hard to cover our feelings.
  
• In writing, when you force a scene to carry specific words, information, or plot points, you forget to pay attention to the character's behavior/objectives and the writing don't seem truthful.  In life, people generally don't plan words before they speak them.  "Dialogue" is a reaction to someone's behavior.  A "scene" is a reaction to someone's behavior.  You change one element of that behavior, and the scene/dialogue changes too.  The only way to figure out the new dialogue/scene is to listen to the characters as they play out the changes in your imagination.

Really listening is one of the most difficult things to do, not only as an artist, but in life as well.  It requires focus.  On a daily basis I encounter people who "force things" and don't listen.  On a daily basis I forget to listen and have to remind myself to do so.  Ultimately, though, not listening will manifest itself in substandard work.