Great reminder! I exploit much more than I explore , and in an effort to tip the scales, I just decided to scale back how much I publish. The saying that living life is the best fuel for creative work is so true !! I have no idea how some creators publish every single day- on multiple platforms. I tried and it leaves me so empty.
Scaling back is a good way for rejuvenation and to fill our creative well. And when that well overflows, it is time to channel that to our work. I have experienced bursts of tons of publishing and then nothing for months. I think we all go through these cycles.
That's a million dollar question, because as soon as you think you have figured out, something makes it go out of whack again. I think it's going to be a life-long quest.
I have reading time scheduled each day. Not as much as Stephen King (although I'd love to), but I read every night, most often in my fiction genre (historical mystery). That way I bookend my day with two things I love, the morning for writing and the evening for reading. But I find I also need "imagining" time as well, to really make my fiction work.
'Imagining time' is an interesting thought. I often meditate for a few minutes before starting on something new. That is when I collect my thought and think about what I want to say. I think you can call it 'imagining time.' Although my imagination work best when I am reading something. I often jot down my thought/ idea during reading.
I often find that I solve plot problems or plan the next step of my story when I'm gardening or walking the dog or similar types of activities. It doesn't always work and sometimes I listen to the BBC world service instead, but I have definitely had some breakthroughs by letting my imagination wander.
I used to listen to podcasts while walking, but I have stopped doing that. I don't need more input. What I need is my conscious brain to observe and my unconscious brain to make connections while I walk. Now when I come back from walks I feel rejuvenated.
Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed this little slice of wisdom Neera. I made a couple of Evernotes from your insights: 'a creative refinery' and slightly more mysteriously: 'whatever fancies her'. It made me wonder if this was deliberate and/or cultural - I'd have said 'whatever she fancies', but your phrase is far more intriguing - the concept that ideas find people they fancy, and not the other way around 🤔🙏
Not that you mention it Steve, 'whatever fancies her,' has a much deeper meaning. I think in my subconscious, I think, things grab us rather than we grab them. I would want my days to be freeer, but something grabs me almost every day and forces me to explore it. I feel guilty about it. I think the 'thing' is wasting my time. But it is saying, 'pay attention, I will be worth it.'
Exactly! That is what we want to do. That's the fun stuff. When we do plenty of that we have plenty of material to harness. Thanks for your note Carolyn.
It's all good! I appreciated your inclusion of my work in your newsletter so I told about it via Substack Notes and via my Wordpress blog www.sueclancy.com - I wish you the best!
Catching up on my substack reading this lazy Sunday morning (usually I’m an afternoon reader like King) and yours is the third about sketching. I’ll take it as a sign to return to making bad art--a little sketch in the journal to start my morning pages.
'Read without guilt' is such a great way to put it. I might 'steal' this term and use it in my writing. Reading used to be an intellectual thing. Something only a small number of people engaged in. Not it has become a guilty pleasure.
Oh how kind of you to mention my sketchbook newsletter!! Thank you!! Yes, almost every morning I play in my sketchbook while I'm still in that half-asleep stage. And as someone else comments look at everything and read as widely as possible. I wish you the best! And thanks again for mentioning me!! ❤
You are welcome Sue. I am learning a lot from reading your newsletter and watching your sketches. I write for an hour as soon as I wake up. I am going to dedicate pre-lunch time as my exploration time. I have challenged myself to make 100 sketches based on my insights and learning. I will post them on LinkedIn and Instagram. Let's hope I make through the challenge.
Great reminder! I exploit much more than I explore , and in an effort to tip the scales, I just decided to scale back how much I publish. The saying that living life is the best fuel for creative work is so true !! I have no idea how some creators publish every single day- on multiple platforms. I tried and it leaves me so empty.
Scaling back is a good way for rejuvenation and to fill our creative well. And when that well overflows, it is time to channel that to our work. I have experienced bursts of tons of publishing and then nothing for months. I think we all go through these cycles.
Absolutely! It’s definitely a cycle to experience a burst of creativity and then burnout- and the question is , how to balance it all ?
That's a million dollar question, because as soon as you think you have figured out, something makes it go out of whack again. I think it's going to be a life-long quest.
I have reading time scheduled each day. Not as much as Stephen King (although I'd love to), but I read every night, most often in my fiction genre (historical mystery). That way I bookend my day with two things I love, the morning for writing and the evening for reading. But I find I also need "imagining" time as well, to really make my fiction work.
'Imagining time' is an interesting thought. I often meditate for a few minutes before starting on something new. That is when I collect my thought and think about what I want to say. I think you can call it 'imagining time.' Although my imagination work best when I am reading something. I often jot down my thought/ idea during reading.
I often find that I solve plot problems or plan the next step of my story when I'm gardening or walking the dog or similar types of activities. It doesn't always work and sometimes I listen to the BBC world service instead, but I have definitely had some breakthroughs by letting my imagination wander.
I used to listen to podcasts while walking, but I have stopped doing that. I don't need more input. What I need is my conscious brain to observe and my unconscious brain to make connections while I walk. Now when I come back from walks I feel rejuvenated.
Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed this little slice of wisdom Neera. I made a couple of Evernotes from your insights: 'a creative refinery' and slightly more mysteriously: 'whatever fancies her'. It made me wonder if this was deliberate and/or cultural - I'd have said 'whatever she fancies', but your phrase is far more intriguing - the concept that ideas find people they fancy, and not the other way around 🤔🙏
Not that you mention it Steve, 'whatever fancies her,' has a much deeper meaning. I think in my subconscious, I think, things grab us rather than we grab them. I would want my days to be freeer, but something grabs me almost every day and forces me to explore it. I feel guilty about it. I think the 'thing' is wasting my time. But it is saying, 'pay attention, I will be worth it.'
What a fabulous reminder to us all, to get out there and look at things, anything, trees, skies, people, places.
Think about what you've seen, and take photos, write about it!
Exactly! That is what we want to do. That's the fun stuff. When we do plenty of that we have plenty of material to harness. Thanks for your note Carolyn.
Gathering material, and playing around in a variety of ways to use it, what a lovely way to spend time!
It indeed is.
Thanks again Neera! I put a link to your post in my blog here https://sueclancy.com/flying-pigs-and-being-human/
Thank you Sue, I noticed your note as well. I got to learn how to use notes too. I will get there, one day!
It's all good! I appreciated your inclusion of my work in your newsletter so I told about it via Substack Notes and via my Wordpress blog www.sueclancy.com - I wish you the best!
Catching up on my substack reading this lazy Sunday morning (usually I’m an afternoon reader like King) and yours is the third about sketching. I’ll take it as a sign to return to making bad art--a little sketch in the journal to start my morning pages.
Sketching is not bad art. It is process to get in touch with the child in you. See it from the eyes of a mother of a three-year-old.
Neera -
Your explore v. exploit idea makes sense.
I should use it separate my goals, so I can read without guilt.
'Read without guilt' is such a great way to put it. I might 'steal' this term and use it in my writing. Reading used to be an intellectual thing. Something only a small number of people engaged in. Not it has become a guilty pleasure.
When stuck it’s a good reminder to spend time exploring and collecting ideas. Then we can exploit them. Although I prefer the term express.
"Express" is a much better term, Rodney. I think I will use that in future. Thanks for suggesting.
Oh how kind of you to mention my sketchbook newsletter!! Thank you!! Yes, almost every morning I play in my sketchbook while I'm still in that half-asleep stage. And as someone else comments look at everything and read as widely as possible. I wish you the best! And thanks again for mentioning me!! ❤
You are welcome Sue. I am learning a lot from reading your newsletter and watching your sketches. I write for an hour as soon as I wake up. I am going to dedicate pre-lunch time as my exploration time. I have challenged myself to make 100 sketches based on my insights and learning. I will post them on LinkedIn and Instagram. Let's hope I make through the challenge.
You can do it!! Have fun!!! And thanks again!!