Five Ways to Make Progress as a Writer

I’m reading about creativity, and decided to answer one question posed by Brian Johnson in his review of the book Art and Fear.

How can you make a 5% improvement in your life?

Brian then followed this question with a numbered list of five blank lines. This is what I decided would improve my life as a writer.

1. Cut distractions. Add emphasis.
2. Ritualize the creative act.
3. Research and experiment.
4. Publish or perish.
5. Remember that ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny.

1. Cut distractions. Add emphasis.

De-clutter. Practice the life changing magic of tidying up. Leave only what supports creative work or the general practice of life.

• Reminders go in places of prominence, ie. one’s implements should dominate the center of an otherwise clean desk.
• Chocolate and energy drinks should be kept nearby to your work space.
• Join a food subscription service.
• Cancel video streaming services.
• Generally, use what you have and only add what you need.
• (However, do consider getting a ChromeBook because wow they flicker on in 0.4 seconds and will run for 11 hours on a 55% charge.)

In other words, create an environment that will support the work you want to do. The writing of architect, Christopher Alexander, comes to mind. Architecture can support life by creating a space where life is naturally drawn. What environment and daily practices will encourage writing or drawing?

2. Ritualize the creative act.

Write and draw every day. Follow a pattern–a pattern that can evolve–but, still, a recognizable pattern that will trigger creativity.

• Carve out specific times and places to work.
• Light a scented candle or switch on a playlist of relaxing sounds like white noise, binaural beats, nature recordings or ASMR.
• Visualize a successful session and the steps ahead.
• Give thanks to your implements. Did some poor badger die for your brush? Express your appreciation.
• Relax by reading until a thought occurs and the will to express yourself surfaces.
• Practice the pomodoro method of staying focused without burning out.
• Design the stopping point. A time limit? A word count? What happens at the end of a session?

3. Research and experiment.

Shape the creative ritual by reading about creativity. What do researchers write? What have artists done? Through trial and error reshape the ritual. What works for you?

• Dig through Google Scholar for papers on the neuroscience of creativity.
• Find summaries of books on creativity, for example, Philosopher’s Notes by Brian Johnson.
• Listen to podcasts, vlogs and audiobooks during downtime: commutes, lunch breaks, postprandial walks.
• Look for measurable results. What are your Key Performance Indicators?

4. Publish or perish.

Creativity is a form of meditation. It hones your mind and perspective, and that should always be the primary motivation. But, with every step towards enlightenment, how can one not wish to share the insight? Ultimately, by sharing you attract the attention of good people who will support your work.

• Finish fast and start fresh.
• Create commitments and respect them. At work we call these Service Level Agreements.
• What new channels can you use to deliver your work?
• If you’re saving something as a draft, it’s probably going to wilt and wither. Can you hone the draft into something whole that will live on its own?

Ultimately, you want to create a social environment that will nurture your creative spirit.

5. Remember that ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny.

A writer and artist must develop through all the stages of human, mammal, vertebrate and so on. From a tiny embryo, you develop a spine, drop your tail, until one day you finally pick up the pencil and the stooped posture of a creative. Ask yourself, from where do writers and artists come from?

• Dream and remember your dreams.
• Learn how to solve problems and the problems those solutions create.
• Speak openly and discover what grows or seethes in the hearts of others.
• Which stories agonize people and which stories shift perspectives?

Life enriches art and art enriches life. It would be great if I could earn a living from creating art, but my forty-hour work week is not a distraction. It can enrich my life and my creative work. I am developing as human society has developed through the ages.