Deep Writing

1. Hushing the Mind: The Gateway to Deep Writing

"Hushing the mind means first of all silencing the demons that destroy our resolve and drown out our good ideas."

Silence inner demons. The first step to deep writing is quieting the mind. This involves more than just finding a quiet space; it's about silencing the internal voices of doubt, criticism, and distraction that often plague writers.

Engage and orient the mind. Hushing isn't just about silence, but about actively engaging the mind towards thinking and writing. It's like repaving neural pathways to allow thoughts to flow more freely and creatively.

• Techniques for hushing:
  • Practice saying "Hush" and meaning it
  • Create a ritual of silence before writing
  • Use meditation or mindfulness techniques
  • Visualize a quiet, creative space

2. Holding the Intention: Committing to Your Creative Vision

"Intention is an action word. You're not really intending to do any deep writing unless and until you begin to take action."

Move from idea to action. Holding an intention means more than just having a vague desire to write. It involves actively committing to your creative vision and taking concrete steps towards realizing it.

Nurture your themes. Identify the themes that resonate deeply with you and commit to exploring them through your writing. This involves:

• Exercises for holding intention:
  • Write down your themes and intentions
  • Create a vision statement for your writing
  • Set specific, actionable goals
  • Regularly revisit and recommit to your intention

3. Making Choices: Balancing Personal Vision with Market Demands

"The primary choice a writer makes is the following: whether to write for herself or for the marketplace."

Navigate the personal-commercial divide. Deep writers often struggle with the tension between writing what's personally meaningful and what's commercially viable. The key is to find a balance that allows for both artistic integrity and potential success.

Frame your work strategically. Consider how you can present your deep, personal themes in a way that appeals to a wider audience. This doesn't mean compromising your vision, but rather finding creative ways to make it accessible.

• Strategies for balancing vision and market:
  • Research your target market
  • Experiment with different genres or formats
  • Seek feedback from potential readers
  • Be open to adapting your work without losing its essence

4. Honoring the Process: Embracing the Complexity of Writing

"Honoring the process means, first of all, accepting the complexity of writing."

Accept the inherent challenges. Writing is not a linear, predictable process. It involves periods of struggle, uncertainty, and revision. Honoring the process means embracing these challenges as integral parts of the creative journey.

Trust in the messy middle. Recognize that the path from initial idea to finished work is often convoluted and unpredictable. This "messy middle" is where much of the real creative work happens.

• Ways to honor the writing process:
  • Set realistic expectations for your writing journey
  • Celebrate small victories along the way
  • Allow yourself to write imperfect first drafts
  • Be patient with the development of your ideas

5. Befriending the Work: Cultivating a Loving Relationship with Your Writing

"Loving and befriending your work are principles second to none in the deep writer's life."

Develop a positive relationship. Treat your writing as a friend or partner, rather than an adversary. This involves cultivating patience, understanding, and compassion for your work, even when it's challenging.

Practice self-compassion. Extend the same kindness to yourself as a writer that you would to a close friend. This includes being gentle with yourself during difficult writing periods and celebrating your successes, no matter how small.

• Techniques for befriending your work:
  • Use positive self-talk when discussing your writing
  • Create rituals that honor your writing process
  • Take your work on "creative dates" to nurture inspiration
  • Practice gratitude for your ability to write and create

6. Evaluating the Work: Developing Critical Self-Awareness

"Creation and evaluation each require a distinct awareness, and it is rare for anyone to do both well or often."

Separate creation from evaluation. Recognize that the mindset needed for creative writing is different from the one required for critical evaluation. Learn to switch between these modes effectively.

Develop effective evaluation techniques. Create a toolkit of methods for objectively assessing your work. This might include:

• Evaluation strategies:
  • Use the "funny mirrors" technique to gain different perspectives
  • Seek feedback from trusted peers or writing groups
  • Take breaks between writing and editing to gain fresh eyes
  • Use specific criteria to assess different aspects of your work

7. Doing What's Required: Essential Practices for Deep Writing

"As a Zen monk once expressed it, great satisfaction lies as close as our next aware breath."

Commit to essential practices. Deep writing requires consistent effort and dedication to specific practices that nurture creativity and productivity.

Cultivate a writer's lifestyle. Recognize that being a deep writer extends beyond the act of writing itself. It involves cultivating habits, attitudes, and practices that support your creative life.

• Key practices for deep writing:
  • Relish and capture ideas regularly
  • Get physically and mentally fit for the writing journey
  • Orient yourself towards your work daily
  • Choose and commit to specific projects
  • Make "incredible messes" in your creative process
  • Enjoy the inherent dangers and challenges of writing
  • Honor the writing process in all its complexity
  • Continuously evaluate and improve your work

Last updated: October 23, 2024