Creating in Flow

I've observed that writing can readily be blocked if one attempts to edit while writing---that is, one engages the internal judge/censor while in the process of creating. It's important to separate the creative flow from the editing aftermath.

People fall into the this trap using word processors, for example: seeing what they've just written and going back at once to "fix" it. I use a little dedicated word processor that shows only 4 lines, so that most of what you've written is not visible, and that helps---I can edit the text later, after I upload it to the computer.

When writing -- in a non-business sort of way -- I find my greatest fear is that somehow what I've written will come across incorrectly or, worse, demonstrate that I really don't know what I'm doing. Your list of Fears above seems to break that down into sub-categories, which is a useful way of taking a single overwhelming thing and make it seem manageable.

Thank you.

As you so astutely point out, if one is blocked from doing something desirable, it always helps to figure out the EXACT fear. Not easy of course. Otherwise you're left with only one option: taking a boulder-sized anti-anxiety pill to conquer all fears at once. But such a thing doesn't exist. Not legally or safely, anyway. And if it did, who knows what it would do to one's writing output?

Thanks for the comment.

I do Zazen every morning before I write. I've just broken 7,000 words, and I show no signs of stopping. In fact, I enjoy writing more than I enjoy imagining things and let me tell you, if one could major in Daydreaming, I'd be a tenured professor.

But, I couldn't write. Well, I could, but I never found it deeply moving or satisfying to do so. I'd always criticize myself or my narrative or always find myself looking ahead to the end result. I could not write without Zazen.

The fear would paralyze me. My mind would wander. I'd sit, troubled while I wrote and wonder why I wasn't doing something more rewarding like playing World of Warcraft.

I highly recommend sitting meditation or some form of relaxation, mindfulness training, or maybe even a love song. Something to establish oneself firmly in the seat of the present moment. The will to manifest beauty. This present moment is beauty, and when one is present and there is no mind to judge, one is also beauty.

No! I don't fear writing! Whether it's a screenplay, a letter to the editor in the local newspaper, a twitter thought, an anonymous letter to a Senator who I detest, I don't have the burden of writer's block -- because writing lets me exit the 3rd dimension, for a while -- every mental journey out of physical destiny is always a brain-festival.

I have sit-your-ass-down and work "block" Writer's block doesn't exist for me; thank God for that because without God there is no talent of thoughts and grammar.

Trivialize the Task reminded me that we often must learn how to take thing one at a time. Creative work is satisfying because it gives us a space to express ourselves, yet it can feel quite daunting at times, but taking it one at a time can help one remain focused and help paying attention to the necessary details and more importantly, enjoying doing the task every step of the way, contribute to healthy work-life balance, so why not trivialize the task, it's great! :D