Right? There’s something endlessly fascinating about peeking into another writer's/artist’s process—seeing what feels familiar, what feels foreign, and what might shift the way we approach our own work. I love how creativity is both deeply personal and universally connective. So glad this resonated with you!
This essay is just wonderful, thank you. Many gems and I enjoyed hearing the wisdom and sometimes strange writing practices of the greats. As a new writer, with caring responsibilities of young children, without the luxury of time to write, I was warmed to read about ‘thinking’ about your project as you go about your day being just as important as the writing itself. I am going to go away now and think about setting up a few writing rituals that I can look forward to. :)
I suffer from being distracted too but am trying to create a point each day to pause and to set or reset the day. It's a keep on keeping on situation I think.
This is wonderful, how you've framed routine, ritual and practice is something that I'm trying to rationalise at the moment as a way of quietening distraction. It's great to read your perspective
Thank you so much. I love that you’re thinking through this too. I also tend to get distracted so having something to anchor me has been helpful. I hope you find a rhythm that feels steady and nourishing for you.
Thank you! This is all so good. So good. I love reading how other writers write and thinking about rituals and routines and practices and I love how you both look to traditional suggestions but also look outside the box.
As a homeschooling mother with five kids, I've tended to be a writer who has learned to respect the fallow seasons and to not fret when there aren't opportunities to write in my busy life. But I've also tried over the years to not make writing something that only happens when the lighting strike of inspiration hits. Setting daily goals never works for very long, but I don't stop doing it. Because even if it just lasts for a week, that might be a productive week. Then I'll get busy and distracted until the next time I'm inspired to set a daily goal.
I also tend to write best in those magic hours between midnight and 3 am. I don't think I've ever written anything meaningful before 10am; but my brain turns on at night.
But I'm also learning more and more how to write in all the cracks and crevices of my days. I'm not good at routines, but I've been developing small habits and practices that add up to creating more opportunities and reminders to write.
I leave books of poetry and notebooks scattered around the house (including the bathroom) to remind me to read poems and so that I can write lines down when they occur to me. I keep a book of poems and a blank notebook in my purse as well.
I started writing short ekphrastic poems in the comment section on Facebook in response to photographs and paintings.
I try to read poets on substack daily and to fill my feed with subscriptions to poets and essayists who inspire me. And then to leave substantial comments that point to lines or images that inspire me, which forces me to slow down and read closely.
I try to copy poems that move me into a notebook.
I assign copying poems to my kids and then also copy those poems myself.
My son copies a haiku every day and then writes one himself, using a prompt from a list I copied into my notebook. I write with him.
I'm not a morning person, but my bladder tends to wake me up in the middle of the night or in the early morning. I've learned that it's fruitful to look out the window, spy the moon, the stars, the first colors of sunrise. Then I go back to bed. But I carry those glimpses of beauty with me.
I almost always see something worth writing about when I look out my window. I try to jot down what I see whenever I look outside during the day. I try to make it a habit of stopping to look. It's a small ritual of silence, of paying attention, of noticing beauty. Even if I don't make it outside for a walk.
Tea is definitely an important part of my day. Making a cup of tea and then going into my room and sitting on my bed is a good way to transition into a writing session.
I've also found that for me writing prompts help get the juices flowing. I collect them. I follow writers who regularly share them. I leave them open in browser tabs and I copy them into notebooks or onto slips of paper. The more different sources I have and the more places I've stashed them, the more likely I am to come back to them.
These don't look like the kinds of rituals I read about in books. But they flow around my life. They harness my social media addiction and make it work as part of a writing life instead of pulling against it.
Wow, this is such a gift to read. Thank you for sharing your own rhythms. I could relate to the way you’ve shaped a writing life that moves with your world rather than against it. That's something I've been learning how to do and give myself permission for over the years.
Yes to respecting fallow seasons, and to copying poems and being inspired by prompts. I wholeheartedly support all these.
Grateful to you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me. And yes—Szymborska. Always.
Oh what a lovely way to cross paths. I’m so glad you found my work. Wishing you inspiration, joy, and all the creative sparks. So delighted to have you here! 💛
That means so much, thank you. I know how hard it can be to navigate creativity and all the uncertainties that come with it. Wishing you ease and inspiration in your own process.
Something about studying how other artists go about making their work - always interesting, intriguing & inspiring; thank you!
Right? There’s something endlessly fascinating about peeking into another writer's/artist’s process—seeing what feels familiar, what feels foreign, and what might shift the way we approach our own work. I love how creativity is both deeply personal and universally connective. So glad this resonated with you!
This essay is just wonderful, thank you. Many gems and I enjoyed hearing the wisdom and sometimes strange writing practices of the greats. As a new writer, with caring responsibilities of young children, without the luxury of time to write, I was warmed to read about ‘thinking’ about your project as you go about your day being just as important as the writing itself. I am going to go away now and think about setting up a few writing rituals that I can look forward to. :)
Happy this resonated with you. Yes it's always a challenge to carve time for writing—I hope you are able to set up your writing ritual!
I suffer from being distracted too but am trying to create a point each day to pause and to set or reset the day. It's a keep on keeping on situation I think.
"Keep on keeping on"—I like that mantra. I also like the idea that you can reset your day. We can always begin again.
This is wonderful, how you've framed routine, ritual and practice is something that I'm trying to rationalise at the moment as a way of quietening distraction. It's great to read your perspective
Thank you so much. I love that you’re thinking through this too. I also tend to get distracted so having something to anchor me has been helpful. I hope you find a rhythm that feels steady and nourishing for you.
Outstanding post I can relate so much having just written my own post yesterday about making time to write.
I like what you said about time and pruning in your post. Thanks for reading.
Thank you! This is all so good. So good. I love reading how other writers write and thinking about rituals and routines and practices and I love how you both look to traditional suggestions but also look outside the box.
As a homeschooling mother with five kids, I've tended to be a writer who has learned to respect the fallow seasons and to not fret when there aren't opportunities to write in my busy life. But I've also tried over the years to not make writing something that only happens when the lighting strike of inspiration hits. Setting daily goals never works for very long, but I don't stop doing it. Because even if it just lasts for a week, that might be a productive week. Then I'll get busy and distracted until the next time I'm inspired to set a daily goal.
I also tend to write best in those magic hours between midnight and 3 am. I don't think I've ever written anything meaningful before 10am; but my brain turns on at night.
But I'm also learning more and more how to write in all the cracks and crevices of my days. I'm not good at routines, but I've been developing small habits and practices that add up to creating more opportunities and reminders to write.
I leave books of poetry and notebooks scattered around the house (including the bathroom) to remind me to read poems and so that I can write lines down when they occur to me. I keep a book of poems and a blank notebook in my purse as well.
I started writing short ekphrastic poems in the comment section on Facebook in response to photographs and paintings.
I try to read poets on substack daily and to fill my feed with subscriptions to poets and essayists who inspire me. And then to leave substantial comments that point to lines or images that inspire me, which forces me to slow down and read closely.
I try to copy poems that move me into a notebook.
I assign copying poems to my kids and then also copy those poems myself.
My son copies a haiku every day and then writes one himself, using a prompt from a list I copied into my notebook. I write with him.
I'm not a morning person, but my bladder tends to wake me up in the middle of the night or in the early morning. I've learned that it's fruitful to look out the window, spy the moon, the stars, the first colors of sunrise. Then I go back to bed. But I carry those glimpses of beauty with me.
I almost always see something worth writing about when I look out my window. I try to jot down what I see whenever I look outside during the day. I try to make it a habit of stopping to look. It's a small ritual of silence, of paying attention, of noticing beauty. Even if I don't make it outside for a walk.
Tea is definitely an important part of my day. Making a cup of tea and then going into my room and sitting on my bed is a good way to transition into a writing session.
I've also found that for me writing prompts help get the juices flowing. I collect them. I follow writers who regularly share them. I leave them open in browser tabs and I copy them into notebooks or onto slips of paper. The more different sources I have and the more places I've stashed them, the more likely I am to come back to them.
These don't look like the kinds of rituals I read about in books. But they flow around my life. They harness my social media addiction and make it work as part of a writing life instead of pulling against it.
Also, I love the Szymborska poem!
Wow, this is such a gift to read. Thank you for sharing your own rhythms. I could relate to the way you’ve shaped a writing life that moves with your world rather than against it. That's something I've been learning how to do and give myself permission for over the years.
Yes to respecting fallow seasons, and to copying poems and being inspired by prompts. I wholeheartedly support all these.
Grateful to you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me. And yes—Szymborska. Always.
I found your website last night. Such a trove of inspiration, and I found you here on substack this morning.
So delighted to make your acquaintance. Your work is brilliant. You are a bright light in the world.
Oh what a lovely way to cross paths. I’m so glad you found my work. Wishing you inspiration, joy, and all the creative sparks. So delighted to have you here! 💛
Thank you!
This is helpful. Thank you so much for giving us this guidance. I need it.
That means so much, thank you. I know how hard it can be to navigate creativity and all the uncertainties that come with it. Wishing you ease and inspiration in your own process.
Loved reading this!
That means so much—thank you! So glad you enjoyed it. Hope it gave you something to think about (or at least a good moment of resonance).
Love this - I always feel better about my own writing routines when I hear other people’s ❤️❤️
There’s something so reassuring about seeing the many ways writers make it work. No ‘perfect’ routine—just what works for you. Thanks for reading!
Thank you, such supportive inspiration is deeply appreciated!
I’m so glad this found you. Creativity can feel like a lonely road sometimes, but we’re all figuring it out together.
Thank you so much! Houseplants be like that sometimes, ha.