How do you balance the inner/outer journeys of the writing process — the introversion of making the work versus the extroversion required to present the work to the world? How do you go deep within without getting lost, becoming lonely, losing your confidence?
The creative process is a hard task master. It requires discipline, tenacity, routine and solitude. You need days on end where there is nothing but the work. No people, no interuptions, no distractions. Just you and the page.
When I’m lagging on my writing there’s nothing like reading the routines of famous writers. Read more here.
Most of them are at the desk early and keep to a regular day in/day out schedule.
Murakami says
“I get up at four a.m. and work for five to six hours. In the afternoon, I run for ten kilometers or swim for fifteen hundred meters (or do both), then I read a bit and listen to some music. I go to bed at nine p.m. I keep to this routine every day without variation. The repetition itself becomes the important thing; it’s a form of mesmerism. I mesmerize myself to reach a deeper state of mind.” He adds “writing a long novel is like survival training. Physical strength is as necessary as artistic sensitivity.”
When you are so deeply involved in the work you need to keep an eye on your introversion/extroversion meter. This is something we’ve all learned about during Covid lockdowns. But you don’t want to end up becoming a lonely writer like in the song …
Lonely Writer
I don’t go out no more
No one comes to knock my door
Can’t remember whom last I saw
Cos I’m a lonely writer
I don’t frequent late night bars
Don’t get into stranger’s cars
I may as well live on Mars
Cos I’m a lonely writer
I don’t have a social plan
Try to catch me if you can
Write to me if you’re a fan
Cos I’m a lonely writer
Lonely writers work on their books
They skulk about in quiet nooks
Take lonely strolls and lonely walks
No time for small talk
When you’re a lonely writer
I don’t have no time to dance
Or get in other peoples pants
Time is precious, can’t take the chance
Cos I’m a lonely writer
I must think and ruminate
For inspiration cannot wait
Must hit the desk at half past eight
Cos I’m a lonely writer
I don’t go for dinners out
Or to the pub for a shout
I’m a loner there’s no doubt
Cos I’m a lonely writer
At the writer’s festival
You would never know
See the lonely writers, all in a row
Witty, charming, erudite
We will party on all night
Drinking, drugging, swapping beds
Climbing in each other’s heads
Take the opportunity
Cos next week again
We’ll all be
Lonely writers
Lonely writers
Lonely writers
(c) Jan Cornall 2017
Here’s some tips to keep you from becoming a lonely writer!
— Make sure you communicate with others on a regular basis.
— Schedule at least one or two outings a week with friends or family.
— Add in some solitary outings connected with your work — to libraries or art galleries.
— Walk 10,000 steps per day. Mix up your walking tracks, explore new areas.
— Meet regularly with a writers group or writing friends.
— Share updates about your writing progress online.
— Divide your day into intro/extro zones. Mornings for going within, afternoons for communicating online etc. evenings for reading/watching writing related materials.
— Keep an eye on your depresso meter. If you find yourself slipping down into negative self talk patterns, remind yourself to stay positive, attend to any issues arising and get back in the zone.
— When it is time to present your work to the world, make sure you are well armed. Not everyone is going to love your book. Tips on this coming soon!
If you need someone to talk to or write with, we can help, get in touch here!
Draft Busters Online is currently running. You can join any time!
For published or unpublished memoir writers, novelists, script writers, non fiction writers, scribblers and doodlers in all genres, who want to seriously progress their long term writing project. A four week course to keep you motivated and working on your drafts. It includes twice weekly sessions — Motivation Mondays (1.5hrs) and Feedback Fridays(2.5hrs).
Sign up for a Monthly Module here.
What our writers say about Draft Busters…
“Deadlines for writing are a wonderful hovering guillotine [softly padded] to keep you writing, as are constant re-evaluations of the craft of writing, the discussion of problems, what you are reading, and Jan’s meditations that lull the mind into a creative space.”
“It’s a weekly shot in the arm of community, confidence boosting, encouragement, advice and support. I look forward to it each week and it makes me feel like I’m growing and growing and I belong somewhere and I really am a writer! That’s very exciting!”
“I love the Friday readings and feedbacks most of all. So enlightening and inspirational. The different viewpoints, the kindness and clarity of comments, and the wide-ranging reading and writing experiences of the participants really enrich my own work. “
