I really like this approach, and Ruth’s book on creativity is awesome. But I wonder if it’s a little gendered? Many women find it incredibly difficult to set aside any time at all to be creative because it means being unavailable to the demands of others. For people in this situation, a routine commitment to a creative practice may be necessary to keep the flame alive
Thanks for this, I’m with you. I get my best ideas and sentences when I’m out walking my dog. Thank goodness for notes on my phone otherwise I’d forget. I do ‘show up’ in a routine way too though this is to get the draft down, the clay for what I’m making. the shape and digging deeper forms in the woods with my furry friend. 🌳
Can I say it's not either/or for me, but both? I step away every day - for hours, by going hiking, walking or running in nature. And I tend to show up every day to create, many days for hours. I need both. A place and time for creation and a time and place for stepping away. One feeds the other. Both feed me.
I literally have to "get living" before I csn "get writing." My Muse wants me outside, exploring, moving, meeting new, wacky, interesting people, seeing sunrises and sunsets, being engulfed in fog or fireflies before she starts whislering in my ears.
The call to experiment and decide what works best for oneself is so freeing! I’ve seen my own preferences shift as my life demands have evolved. The more I can meet that with openness, the more I feel like I’m creating a life that is a work of art, instead of trying to copy someone else’s model. Thank you for this heartening message!
So agree with this. Creativity cannot be boxed - but it comes when it does - and then if you're ready that's all you need - to run for that paper and pen (or pull out notes on your phone). For long projects it is every day at the desk - but the magic is in the moments of stepping away!
I appreciate this balanced approach. I like that so many people who commented said that they get ideas while they're out walking. For a lot of people, it's running. My walks are when I have my imaginary conversations. Often, they're ruminations. Sometimes, within the ruminations, I get insight from my higher self. I can differentiate between my mind and my higher self because my mind will disagree, learn something new, or hear a word I rarely use (if I've ever used it). The voice is different. Thus, I can distinguish the insight nugget from the usual detritus. Similarly, creativity comes through. I get ideas, see patterns, and draft songs, poetry, and blog posts in my mind that I type out later. I call the insightful and creative thoughts "mental downloads". Sometimes, what I type or write out after my "download" doesn't seem as good as the first mental draft. I don't always remember the exact words and don't articulate them the same way.
Here's some advice for others who experience that, too: When the Muse speaks to you, stop what you're doing, open the voice recorder on your phone or a note app with voice-to-text (Google Docs is where my first written drafts happen anyway), and speak it. I think songwriters do this and have been doing it since tape recorders became portable.
Movement is essential! Many writers walk. As much as possible, I believe, as lonely as a cloud …
It's amazing how many writers also walk, or whatever their accessible version of that is.
Solvitur ambulando! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solvitur_ambulando
I really like this approach, and Ruth’s book on creativity is awesome. But I wonder if it’s a little gendered? Many women find it incredibly difficult to set aside any time at all to be creative because it means being unavailable to the demands of others. For people in this situation, a routine commitment to a creative practice may be necessary to keep the flame alive
Interesting question to consider.
Thanks for this, I’m with you. I get my best ideas and sentences when I’m out walking my dog. Thank goodness for notes on my phone otherwise I’d forget. I do ‘show up’ in a routine way too though this is to get the draft down, the clay for what I’m making. the shape and digging deeper forms in the woods with my furry friend. 🌳
Loved this, Jonathan!
Can I say it's not either/or for me, but both? I step away every day - for hours, by going hiking, walking or running in nature. And I tend to show up every day to create, many days for hours. I need both. A place and time for creation and a time and place for stepping away. One feeds the other. Both feed me.
It's all about figuring out what works for you. Love that you cycle through both.
I’m the same, I get my best ideas walking my dog!
I literally have to "get living" before I csn "get writing." My Muse wants me outside, exploring, moving, meeting new, wacky, interesting people, seeing sunrises and sunsets, being engulfed in fog or fireflies before she starts whislering in my ears.
Same, same! Outdoors and movement are key for me.
The call to experiment and decide what works best for oneself is so freeing! I’ve seen my own preferences shift as my life demands have evolved. The more I can meet that with openness, the more I feel like I’m creating a life that is a work of art, instead of trying to copy someone else’s model. Thank you for this heartening message!
Agreed, I think our preferences around this often do shift with time and life demands.
So agree with this. Creativity cannot be boxed - but it comes when it does - and then if you're ready that's all you need - to run for that paper and pen (or pull out notes on your phone). For long projects it is every day at the desk - but the magic is in the moments of stepping away!
Stepping away is still one of the most powerful tools in my creative arsenal.
I appreciate this balanced approach. I like that so many people who commented said that they get ideas while they're out walking. For a lot of people, it's running. My walks are when I have my imaginary conversations. Often, they're ruminations. Sometimes, within the ruminations, I get insight from my higher self. I can differentiate between my mind and my higher self because my mind will disagree, learn something new, or hear a word I rarely use (if I've ever used it). The voice is different. Thus, I can distinguish the insight nugget from the usual detritus. Similarly, creativity comes through. I get ideas, see patterns, and draft songs, poetry, and blog posts in my mind that I type out later. I call the insightful and creative thoughts "mental downloads". Sometimes, what I type or write out after my "download" doesn't seem as good as the first mental draft. I don't always remember the exact words and don't articulate them the same way.
Here's some advice for others who experience that, too: When the Muse speaks to you, stop what you're doing, open the voice recorder on your phone or a note app with voice-to-text (Google Docs is where my first written drafts happen anyway), and speak it. I think songwriters do this and have been doing it since tape recorders became portable.
Permission received. 🙏🤩
Love this Jonathan - thank you for these reflections and invitations. I'm going to experiment and see what feels true for me!
I really like this. Then after the muse has left comes the work, the review, rewriting and edits.
Yes, still no getting out of the hard work of editing and refining.