the craft. the life of a writer: creative practice as a lifestyle.

Written by: GG Renee Hill

“Good habits create good art. The way we do anything is the way we do everything. Treat each choice you make, each action you take, each word you speak with skillful care. The goal is to live your life in the service of art.” ― Rick Rubin, The Creative Act: A Way of Being

As writers, it’s vital that we nurture our creativity through self-care so we can work with our natural rhythms and not against them.

In his book, The Art of Thought, British psychologist Graham Wallas outlined a theory of the creative process based on years of observing and studying accounts of inventors and other creative types at work. He breaks the process of developing an idea down into four steps:

Observation — In this first step, you are acquiring knowledge about a question or problem to be solved. For our purposes, it’s a writing project. This step may include reading, watching, and listening to content on your topic. You might get out in the field to research, perhaps taking pictures or conducting interviews. You are gathering data and material. You’re looking at your observations from different angles and noticing connections.
Absorption — The ideas and information gathered in phase one simmer while the mind rests. This is the part where we disconnect from the idea for a period of time. We often underestimate this phase and try to skip it! We might that think we are stuck or blocked, when really we just need time to process. While our thinking minds are busy with other parts of our lives, our subconscious, or higher power, does the creative work. Awareness of this step shows us that the creative process requires a partnership between intellect and intuition.
Insight — A breakthrough with your idea presents itself here in an a-ha moment, a flash of insight or clarity, often while doing something else. It's not always loud or big or clear, it may be a small internal voice. Insights arise from the deeper layers of the mind to conscious awareness.
Elaborate — We connect our observations with our insights to bring the idea to life and translate it into an understandable shape. This does not occur by accident or mood, it requires intention, purpose, and commitment. In this step, the vision is distilled into words, art, music, plans and other forms, where it is molded and refined.

Of course, the process doesn’t always play out in a linear way. It’s a road map with multiple pathways and moving destinations. Awareness of the process strengthens our intuition and makes us more aware of how ideas come to life. Remembering the process can help us recenter when we get lost, and zoom out and zoom in to regain perspective as needed.

We often think our ideas and solutions come from sheer effort, like we can squeeze the brilliance out if we just work enough hours or drink enough coffee. Sometimes we even think that if we were just ‘more creative’ we would have a more steady flow of ideas.

Many of us have a limited idea of what a consistent creative routine should look like. Perhaps writing for a certain amount of time each day or completing a certain number of tasks. But that perspective doesn’t factor in the crucial creative work that is being done in our subconscious while we’re living the rest of our lives. Plus, we need options and flexibility because our schedules and seasons are always changing.

If you struggle with strict routines, rhythms are a more flexible way to care for yourself in steady, adaptable, life-affirming ways.

To find your rhythm, reflect on the patterns of behavior that can support you through each step of the ongoing creative process and build these habits into your daily life:

Observation — What are some of the things you do to gather your thoughts/ideas for a project?(i.e. reading)
Absorption: What are some healthy habits you can turn to while your ideas absorb? (i.e. some kind of movement like walking or running)
Insight: What can you do to be ready to capture those sudden insights when they come up? (i.e. cultivate a consistent journaling practice, this is where you intuition and intellect connect and make magic)
Elaboration: What mindset will help you patiently develop your idea from a magical mess to a work of art? (i.e. experimentation, trial and error)

Creativity doesn’t have to be feast or famine. By cultivating habits and practices that support the creative process, you can create a more welcoming headspace for ideas and insights to flow through.

Writing/Job Opportunities

Michelle R. Davis has an opening on her team for a full-time contributing writer to do high-impact, state-specific journalism on how to vote, pay taxes, stay safe from extreme weather & get vaccinated. Fully #remote. Send resume and 3 writing samples to mrdavis@aarp.org.

Conz Preti is looking for new pitches on parenting, health, sex and relationships, and college life. She would love to get more on: Having younger parents, having older parents, complex relationships with your family (including siblings). cpreti@insider.com.

The National Audubon Society is hiring an Associate Editor.

Guilford Press is hiring a Senior Account Manager - National and Wholesale Accounts ($70-78k).

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