"They consist of a childlike, playful, artistic self; and also an adult, responsible, reasoning self."
My wife might argue against the second half of that statement... lol
Seriously though, there are times when I wonder into the kitchen for another coffee or something, and apparently have a whole conversation with her later that I never remember. When I'm in deep writing mode, my mind is still stuck in that gear when it should be engaging with the real world again. Unfortunately, that writer's mind has picked up the skill of *pretending* to be in the real world rather than where it really is: stuck in la-la-land.
I love the concept though. This is what I keep saying (but never in this way): you need to play when you're writing. Too many of us -- and I've been guilty of this for sure -- sit down to "serious writing" and end up going nowhere...
Yes, I was guilty of trying to do 'serious writing' for a long time and as you say it got me absolutely nowhere. Remembering to play can be strangely tricky but vital. I think that's where Brande's 'dislocated writer' comes in - deliberately developing that side of ourselves that thinks about nothing but playing with words and story. But also being able to switch back on our more reasonable self so we can converse in the real world!
"Story stuff bubbles up from the unconscious, and rational thought plugs that wellspring at its source." What a great way to frame creative flow, and a reminder that "thinking more" won't help you get done what needs to be done. This really validates my habit of leaving my desk too! My puttering about isn't a distraction, it's me giving my unconscious space for the story stuff to bubble up. Great post.
Ha, yes, leaving the desk is not defeat, it's vital! There's a Zen saying: "The more you think about it, the further away from it you go." As often the case with spiritual matters, it applies equally well to the writing process
Yes! It's almost impossible to brute force a solution to a tricky character or story problem. Most often, I find, the answer pops up randomly after a good night's sleep, or while taking a walk, or while doing the washing up.
Indeed...it can be frustrating waiting, but hugely satisfying when the answer drops. I like to write the question on a whiteboard before walking away - as a hint to my unconscious that it has work to do!
While I do all of my actual writing on a computer, I’m sure it’s not a coincidence that if I hit a really tricky thing I have to unpick, I will always go to pen and paper. That’s when I scrawl incomprehensible stuff and do sketches and draw arrow and circles and somehow end up with an answer.
It’s the kind of problem solving that requires the fuzzy flexibility of freehand squiggles.
This book sounds phenomenal. I’m looking forward to digging into it!
TK, if you haven’t already, you should check out “Bird by Bird” by Anne Lamott. A lot of the aspects of writing that you’re talking about from “Becoming a Writer” are things I learned from that book. I re-read it almost every year and have three or four copies in my house (because I keep forgetting I own it and I always want a copy I can give away to a friend).
Thank you, I'll order Bird by Bird this afternoon. Sounds invaluable. There's nothing better than a book you go back to again and again - they become like a trusted friend, or mentor. As you've said elsewhere, that kind of learning is all part of the joy of a writing life
This was an interesting read! I'd been struggling to write some client work, actually. It's very easy to get caught up in the editing and what the other person wants. My ability to write seemed to be declining lately, so I thought I was just burning out...
And yet writing on Substack is the most fun I've had in ages. I should've noticed the signs! 🤦♀️ Thanks for this!!
Very similar. I call it Draft .5 instead of the "first draft". I try to allow everything to come out then go back later and slightly revise into a real draft.
"They consist of a childlike, playful, artistic self; and also an adult, responsible, reasoning self."
My wife might argue against the second half of that statement... lol
Seriously though, there are times when I wonder into the kitchen for another coffee or something, and apparently have a whole conversation with her later that I never remember. When I'm in deep writing mode, my mind is still stuck in that gear when it should be engaging with the real world again. Unfortunately, that writer's mind has picked up the skill of *pretending* to be in the real world rather than where it really is: stuck in la-la-land.
I love the concept though. This is what I keep saying (but never in this way): you need to play when you're writing. Too many of us -- and I've been guilty of this for sure -- sit down to "serious writing" and end up going nowhere...
Yes, I was guilty of trying to do 'serious writing' for a long time and as you say it got me absolutely nowhere. Remembering to play can be strangely tricky but vital. I think that's where Brande's 'dislocated writer' comes in - deliberately developing that side of ourselves that thinks about nothing but playing with words and story. But also being able to switch back on our more reasonable self so we can converse in the real world!
Yeah - it's that last part that's particularly tricky!
I find both parts hard, but I'm working on it! And don't worry, it's probably the sign of a real writer to be a bit lost in the clouds!
"Story stuff bubbles up from the unconscious, and rational thought plugs that wellspring at its source." What a great way to frame creative flow, and a reminder that "thinking more" won't help you get done what needs to be done. This really validates my habit of leaving my desk too! My puttering about isn't a distraction, it's me giving my unconscious space for the story stuff to bubble up. Great post.
Ha, yes, leaving the desk is not defeat, it's vital! There's a Zen saying: "The more you think about it, the further away from it you go." As often the case with spiritual matters, it applies equally well to the writing process
Yes! It's almost impossible to brute force a solution to a tricky character or story problem. Most often, I find, the answer pops up randomly after a good night's sleep, or while taking a walk, or while doing the washing up.
Indeed...it can be frustrating waiting, but hugely satisfying when the answer drops. I like to write the question on a whiteboard before walking away - as a hint to my unconscious that it has work to do!
While I do all of my actual writing on a computer, I’m sure it’s not a coincidence that if I hit a really tricky thing I have to unpick, I will always go to pen and paper. That’s when I scrawl incomprehensible stuff and do sketches and draw arrow and circles and somehow end up with an answer.
It’s the kind of problem solving that requires the fuzzy flexibility of freehand squiggles.
Absolutely, what a great saying. You’re just full of them! Love it 🙌
This book sounds phenomenal. I’m looking forward to digging into it!
TK, if you haven’t already, you should check out “Bird by Bird” by Anne Lamott. A lot of the aspects of writing that you’re talking about from “Becoming a Writer” are things I learned from that book. I re-read it almost every year and have three or four copies in my house (because I keep forgetting I own it and I always want a copy I can give away to a friend).
Thank you, I'll order Bird by Bird this afternoon. Sounds invaluable. There's nothing better than a book you go back to again and again - they become like a trusted friend, or mentor. As you've said elsewhere, that kind of learning is all part of the joy of a writing life
This was an interesting read! I'd been struggling to write some client work, actually. It's very easy to get caught up in the editing and what the other person wants. My ability to write seemed to be declining lately, so I thought I was just burning out...
And yet writing on Substack is the most fun I've had in ages. I should've noticed the signs! 🤦♀️ Thanks for this!!
Great article. Thank you.
Very similar. I call it Draft .5 instead of the "first draft". I try to allow everything to come out then go back later and slightly revise into a real draft.
Yes, that sounds like a very similar process. The trick, I think, is to constantly remind ourselves that this is only an explorative draft and that at this stage anything goes. Graham Strong wrote an essay worth reading along similar lines about his 'zero draft' process: https://www.towritewithwildabandon.com/p/zero-draft-writing?r=359atp&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Thanks T K!
I completely agree. I'll have to hunt this book down. I did read "Writing on Both Sides of the Brain", by Henriette Anne Klauser, which says pretty much the same thing (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Writing-Sides-Brain-Henriette-Klauser/dp/006254490X).
Ooh, that sounds like a good one too - I'll get a copy. I think the psychology of writing is almost as interesting as the writing itself!
One of my all time favorite writing books! Glad to see her mentioned.
Good to find a fellow fan!