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.
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.
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
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?
Writing Rituals
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.
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
Oh, I love all these rituals! I find them so inspiring.
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.
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
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!