So interesting... Flow, play, finding it hard, or easy! I come at this mainly as an artist and illustrator (and I would like to write some books to illustrate). I definitely find my flow state by drawing, and I recognise the way that getting into flow state can totally pull you out of a funk. I’ve been learning a bit about the nervous system, and how procrastination is really a way of avoiding feelings we don’t want to feel. I’m learning that it’s all about the way you talk about your task (out loud, or to yourself). So every time I catch myself saying “it’s so hard!!” Or “I’m stuck” I catch myself and try and remind myself I’ve done it before; I CAN do it, and I actually do enjoy it. And remind myself of everything I have learned. It’s been really helping! If that fails, I trick myself into starting by saying “I’ll just do 5 mins”. I find procrastination endlessly fascinating!
I appreciate it when writers are honest about how difficult the process is, because it makes me feel less alone in this. I heard somewhere that because we’re surrounded by finished products, the efforts leading up to completion are somewhat hidden from us. As a result, all we think about is the finished product instead of the work it takes to get there, and if what we produce doesn’t measure up to it, we’ve failed. That really resonated with me.
For my own writing process, it seems I’ve had more frustrations than breakthroughs, but I keep pushing through it, and I’m almost done with my draft, so I guess it’s a success overall.
I LOVE the flow state. The Pixar film “Soul” captures this perfectly, it truly feels like you’ve ascended into another plane and it’s so euphoric coming out of it. I’m not sure how to tap into it at will, though 🤔 Once I figure it out, I’ll be unstoppable.
Great post Hattie. I find the flow state much easier to get into writing with pen and paper than on a laptop. Partly because of the distraction and possibilities on a laptop, but also the inability to go back and edit/correct spelling/or whatever easily with pen and paper.
I used to find flow writing essays for school, (most often begun the night before they were due, but let’s not go there) and the memory of that is why I joined this community. As a teen I planned to go in to journalism but then a sliding doors moment took me down a different path. Having more recently recognised that moment and analysed it for how it shaped my life, I remembered that feeling of flow and started to look for reasons to write again, and well, here I am, feeling trepidation and all sorts of ‘what if it’s crap’ feelings, but taking small steps and doing it anyway. I’m not sure where I think it’s going to take me, but for now that doesn’t really matter, I’m just curious to know if I’ll still find flow in the process.
I'm an excellent complainer but as someone who's toiled at a "straight job" for more than a quarter of a century, I find writing and really any creative endeavor I work on to be mostly joyful and engaging. It is a gift to make your own schedule, to allow your mind to explore big ideas, and put them out into the world. Thanks for sharing this piece Hattie and for all the insights you bring to this community on the craft of writing.
Hey! It's me! What a nice way to be reminded of my own thoughts. 2023 feels like the year where I'm going to let go of this attitude of 'I should be doing this' and remind myself 'ah, I'm doing it because I enjoy it'. For instance, I feel I got really sucked into these yearly reading challenges. I must read 50 books! I must try and reach a 100! Actually, I should be reading because it's just bloody nice to do so. Likewise, why do I want to be a writer? Even if I'm not the best at it, I think there's a real joy to be found in working out the puzzle of great literature and trying your hand at it - (this makes me dangerously tempted to start a newsletter about just having a nice time with literature).
Flow for me is any state where my phone would buzz and I could resist the urge to check it because whatever I’m doing is more compelling than the phones temptation
Thank you for this, Hattie. The biggest challenge I’ve found in writing has been making the time to actually do it. I make excuses like work, chores, boyfriend, etc. but when I finally sit down, start writing and get in the flow... it’s such a surreal feeling. I love writing and have so much fun doing it. Even though you wouldn’t think it, from outside looking in, because I build all this anxious anticipation before starting...yet the feeling of accomplishment is so rewarding.
I started a simple wordpress blog nearly 7 years ago with absolutely no financial motivation whatsoever. It was purely a space where I could share my personal life experiences and conclusions with others that choose to.
Because what I also realized was that writing was a form of release self help therapy. The action of expressing my thoughts and feelings into written form feels fulfilling and purposeful in itself, without any need of validation, approval or likes from anyone else.
Paradoxically when you can get to that motivational state and level of writing you will automatically attract an audience of readers.
Love this - so agree that for some reason joy isn’t often spoken about in relation to writing. Surely it’s the most important component for any writer! However, when you were talking about the other joyful things that can help us enter a state of flow, I thought you were reeling off a list of all the things you could do, like designing bridges. I was like, “wow, this is a woman truly of many talents!” 😂 x
Resonates with me so much! I was called out by a coach last year on my story that 'writing is really hard', which I've (almost) stopped saying. Writing is my biggest love - working on a submission and it's given me an extra push to finish it, for myself and for the love. Thanks for all that you do x
I love this! I've recently "rediscovered" writing after a time of burnout and business and it's been a little cradle of warmth within me, this reminder of how much I love it. I'm sure I'll get tired and burnt out on writing again (it's happened before) but until then...I'm happy to be here, I'm happy to be writing. :)
I remember an episode of yours where the writer said "No Crack In The Shack" and I often think of that (and quote it to my kids all the time re schoolwork!). If I don't have my phone/other distractions in the room, I find flow more easily. Likewise, if I have a set time limit, something usually cranks into gear; like a train journey or a short window at the end of a day's work. Sometimes changing location helps too - like going to a cafe to write a chapter.
Definitely regularity helps me the most. if I have a break from my creative writing, it's much harder to find flow.
So interesting... Flow, play, finding it hard, or easy! I come at this mainly as an artist and illustrator (and I would like to write some books to illustrate). I definitely find my flow state by drawing, and I recognise the way that getting into flow state can totally pull you out of a funk. I’ve been learning a bit about the nervous system, and how procrastination is really a way of avoiding feelings we don’t want to feel. I’m learning that it’s all about the way you talk about your task (out loud, or to yourself). So every time I catch myself saying “it’s so hard!!” Or “I’m stuck” I catch myself and try and remind myself I’ve done it before; I CAN do it, and I actually do enjoy it. And remind myself of everything I have learned. It’s been really helping! If that fails, I trick myself into starting by saying “I’ll just do 5 mins”. I find procrastination endlessly fascinating!
I appreciate it when writers are honest about how difficult the process is, because it makes me feel less alone in this. I heard somewhere that because we’re surrounded by finished products, the efforts leading up to completion are somewhat hidden from us. As a result, all we think about is the finished product instead of the work it takes to get there, and if what we produce doesn’t measure up to it, we’ve failed. That really resonated with me.
For my own writing process, it seems I’ve had more frustrations than breakthroughs, but I keep pushing through it, and I’m almost done with my draft, so I guess it’s a success overall.
I LOVE the flow state. The Pixar film “Soul” captures this perfectly, it truly feels like you’ve ascended into another plane and it’s so euphoric coming out of it. I’m not sure how to tap into it at will, though 🤔 Once I figure it out, I’ll be unstoppable.
Great post Hattie. I find the flow state much easier to get into writing with pen and paper than on a laptop. Partly because of the distraction and possibilities on a laptop, but also the inability to go back and edit/correct spelling/or whatever easily with pen and paper.
I used to find flow writing essays for school, (most often begun the night before they were due, but let’s not go there) and the memory of that is why I joined this community. As a teen I planned to go in to journalism but then a sliding doors moment took me down a different path. Having more recently recognised that moment and analysed it for how it shaped my life, I remembered that feeling of flow and started to look for reasons to write again, and well, here I am, feeling trepidation and all sorts of ‘what if it’s crap’ feelings, but taking small steps and doing it anyway. I’m not sure where I think it’s going to take me, but for now that doesn’t really matter, I’m just curious to know if I’ll still find flow in the process.
I'm an excellent complainer but as someone who's toiled at a "straight job" for more than a quarter of a century, I find writing and really any creative endeavor I work on to be mostly joyful and engaging. It is a gift to make your own schedule, to allow your mind to explore big ideas, and put them out into the world. Thanks for sharing this piece Hattie and for all the insights you bring to this community on the craft of writing.
Hey! It's me! What a nice way to be reminded of my own thoughts. 2023 feels like the year where I'm going to let go of this attitude of 'I should be doing this' and remind myself 'ah, I'm doing it because I enjoy it'. For instance, I feel I got really sucked into these yearly reading challenges. I must read 50 books! I must try and reach a 100! Actually, I should be reading because it's just bloody nice to do so. Likewise, why do I want to be a writer? Even if I'm not the best at it, I think there's a real joy to be found in working out the puzzle of great literature and trying your hand at it - (this makes me dangerously tempted to start a newsletter about just having a nice time with literature).
Flow for me is any state where my phone would buzz and I could resist the urge to check it because whatever I’m doing is more compelling than the phones temptation
Uggggh, such a satisfying read! Thank you for filling my cup!!!!
Thank you for this, Hattie. The biggest challenge I’ve found in writing has been making the time to actually do it. I make excuses like work, chores, boyfriend, etc. but when I finally sit down, start writing and get in the flow... it’s such a surreal feeling. I love writing and have so much fun doing it. Even though you wouldn’t think it, from outside looking in, because I build all this anxious anticipation before starting...yet the feeling of accomplishment is so rewarding.
I started a simple wordpress blog nearly 7 years ago with absolutely no financial motivation whatsoever. It was purely a space where I could share my personal life experiences and conclusions with others that choose to.
Because what I also realized was that writing was a form of release self help therapy. The action of expressing my thoughts and feelings into written form feels fulfilling and purposeful in itself, without any need of validation, approval or likes from anyone else.
Paradoxically when you can get to that motivational state and level of writing you will automatically attract an audience of readers.
Love this - so agree that for some reason joy isn’t often spoken about in relation to writing. Surely it’s the most important component for any writer! However, when you were talking about the other joyful things that can help us enter a state of flow, I thought you were reeling off a list of all the things you could do, like designing bridges. I was like, “wow, this is a woman truly of many talents!” 😂 x
Resonates with me so much! I was called out by a coach last year on my story that 'writing is really hard', which I've (almost) stopped saying. Writing is my biggest love - working on a submission and it's given me an extra push to finish it, for myself and for the love. Thanks for all that you do x
I love this! I've recently "rediscovered" writing after a time of burnout and business and it's been a little cradle of warmth within me, this reminder of how much I love it. I'm sure I'll get tired and burnt out on writing again (it's happened before) but until then...I'm happy to be here, I'm happy to be writing. :)
I remember an episode of yours where the writer said "No Crack In The Shack" and I often think of that (and quote it to my kids all the time re schoolwork!). If I don't have my phone/other distractions in the room, I find flow more easily. Likewise, if I have a set time limit, something usually cranks into gear; like a train journey or a short window at the end of a day's work. Sometimes changing location helps too - like going to a cafe to write a chapter.
Definitely regularity helps me the most. if I have a break from my creative writing, it's much harder to find flow.
I feel this way about psychology podcasts, cooking too and also, strangely, decluttering, which is why I secretly love January 🤓 xx