Neil Gaiman has two rules when he sits down to write: 1. He doesn't have to write anything if he doesn't feel like it. 2. He can't leave or do anything else until the writing time he set aside is over. (This comes from his appearance on the Tim Ferriss podcast - it's worth a listen.)
I love his process. It's simple and works for him. We don't often think about how we design a process, but often it's because it gets us results or it makes us feel good. When we understand how to design simple routines that work for us then it makes the creative process so much easier.
My ADHD brain LoL-ing 🤣 Guess different techniques work for different people!
It becomes easier when a routine is formed out of the process of writing.
Inspiration is captured, not forced.
I have been utilizing this process for all of my writing since I heard this well over a year ago or so. It is not an easy process to take on but once you do, it works. It's far easier for someone who writes with a fountain pen. If you write on a computer, it is important to shut off all of your notifications and put your phone on airplane mode so there are no distractions.
People who have mastered the art of not doing anything as the only alternative to doing the thing they are supposed to do are people who will end up doing the thing they are supposed to do
“Two very simple rules, a: you don't have to write. b: you can't do anything else.” Raymond Chandler 1949
I am sure David Goggins would disagree because he would make that pen flow no matter what lol
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9mo"Sometimes the best way to learn something is by doing it wrong and looking at what you did." - Neil Gaiman