I so enjoyed this post. When I was teaching, I always encouraged my students to acquire rituals when writing, citing some of the same ones you mention here. We have to be willing to experiment and discover whatever it takes to mysteriously conjure the ideas and words from our brains. I once read that when Joyce was writing well, he claimed he could feel the words coming through his wrists.
Thanks, Arnie, I love that Joyce quote! I haven't come across that one before. Yes, I agree, experimentation is key. What works for one person does not automatically work for another. As with all things in life, we have to lean in to what works best for us :)
Great essay! I love speaking to another writer to bounce ideas and I always leave the conversation feeling inspired. I don’t have any specific writing rituals (and none as weird as some of these authors!) but I have a writing playlist on Spotify that helps me get into a writing mood. I definitely do my best writing away from the house. Like you, I enjoy the buzz of a cafe :) thank you for sharing x
A great post this. It really helps you realise that, like many things, writing is personal to you and your routine can and will be different to that of others. Brilliant.
Have you read Mason Currey's Daily Rituals books (one on artists, one on women at work)? I find them so inspiring to see all of the different approaches to creativity rituals. Like you, I tend not to think of my routine as rituals but I do have a routine and it does set a mood.
Yes! I read the one about women and work a few months ago, I had forgotten about that. I love hearing about other writer's approaches, and I think you're right, I tend to think more in terms of routines than rituals, too.
Kate I absolutely loved this and feel like it’s one I’ll keep coming back to time and time again (I’ve saved ir). I’ve been reflecting recently on how the artist’s way wasn’t created for mothers with young kids and what MY artist’s way could be! This has really helped me think x x
That's great to hear, Laura! Thank you for letting me know :) I agree, The Artists' Way seems to be a manifesto for writers with a lot of time to create...I think creating your own would be a great thing to do!
Great things to think about especially during slow summer, Kate. I always take summer differently, often due to academic schedule, and find it a time of different productivity as well as reflecting on my rituals. This podcast looks really good -- any other favorite episodes to start with?
I think you might enjoy the podcast! It's not anything like anything else I listen to really, but I love how Newport is not your typical tech bro/professor. Because he writes and has a family, he really lives by the ideas he talks about to try and live a more satisfying life. I usually look at the episodes and skim to the bottom as he puts time stamps on for topics and questions he answers, so I tend to listen to the ones more about writing and good habit building, rather than the tech-y ones! One I really enjoyed recently was this one with a guest talking all about how to balance parenting with your other creative ambitions: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4sqib2KwTOI5b4WWmEnd44
Also, his books 'Deep Work' and 'Digital Minimalism' are ones I return to when I feel procrastination and distraction creeping in.
I so enjoyed this post. When I was teaching, I always encouraged my students to acquire rituals when writing, citing some of the same ones you mention here. We have to be willing to experiment and discover whatever it takes to mysteriously conjure the ideas and words from our brains. I once read that when Joyce was writing well, he claimed he could feel the words coming through his wrists.
Thanks, Arnie, I love that Joyce quote! I haven't come across that one before. Yes, I agree, experimentation is key. What works for one person does not automatically work for another. As with all things in life, we have to lean in to what works best for us :)
Great essay! I love speaking to another writer to bounce ideas and I always leave the conversation feeling inspired. I don’t have any specific writing rituals (and none as weird as some of these authors!) but I have a writing playlist on Spotify that helps me get into a writing mood. I definitely do my best writing away from the house. Like you, I enjoy the buzz of a cafe :) thank you for sharing x
Thank you! :) A playlist is a great idea! The buzz of a cafe is exactly right. Let's bounce more writing ideas soon ;)
Oh, I love all these rituals! I find them so inspiring.
Thank you, Jillian! Glad you enjoyed it :)
A great post this. It really helps you realise that, like many things, writing is personal to you and your routine can and will be different to that of others. Brilliant.
Thank you :)
Have you read Mason Currey's Daily Rituals books (one on artists, one on women at work)? I find them so inspiring to see all of the different approaches to creativity rituals. Like you, I tend not to think of my routine as rituals but I do have a routine and it does set a mood.
Yes! I read the one about women and work a few months ago, I had forgotten about that. I love hearing about other writer's approaches, and I think you're right, I tend to think more in terms of routines than rituals, too.
Kate I absolutely loved this and feel like it’s one I’ll keep coming back to time and time again (I’ve saved ir). I’ve been reflecting recently on how the artist’s way wasn’t created for mothers with young kids and what MY artist’s way could be! This has really helped me think x x
That's great to hear, Laura! Thank you for letting me know :) I agree, The Artists' Way seems to be a manifesto for writers with a lot of time to create...I think creating your own would be a great thing to do!
It’s on the to do/ dream list...
"The Mother Artists' Way..." ♥
Great things to think about especially during slow summer, Kate. I always take summer differently, often due to academic schedule, and find it a time of different productivity as well as reflecting on my rituals. This podcast looks really good -- any other favorite episodes to start with?
And thanks for mentioning Yoga Culture!
I think you might enjoy the podcast! It's not anything like anything else I listen to really, but I love how Newport is not your typical tech bro/professor. Because he writes and has a family, he really lives by the ideas he talks about to try and live a more satisfying life. I usually look at the episodes and skim to the bottom as he puts time stamps on for topics and questions he answers, so I tend to listen to the ones more about writing and good habit building, rather than the tech-y ones! One I really enjoyed recently was this one with a guest talking all about how to balance parenting with your other creative ambitions: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4sqib2KwTOI5b4WWmEnd44
Also, his books 'Deep Work' and 'Digital Minimalism' are ones I return to when I feel procrastination and distraction creeping in.
And you're welcome for the mention!
That’s so funny I just realiZed it’s the episode I found to try already :)
Spooky!
Sounds really great. I’m going to give it a try! Thanks.
Let me know what you think! :)