Creating in Flow

Susan K. Perry, Ph.D. is a social psychologist, writer, and writing consultant. Among her books are Writing in Flow: Keys to Enhanced Creativity. See full bio

February 14, 2009, Creativity

Comments on "Writers Do It Often: Here's How: Part 1"

Writers Do It Often: Here's How: Part 1

By Susan K. Perry, Ph.D. on February 14, 2009 in Creating in Flow

Getting words to flow isn't always easy. Some authors and poets swear by a highly particular writing ritual. Others swear they don't do anything special to get to that place where the words begin pouring forth. Some time back I questioned, in depth, a large batch of award-winning and bestselling novelists and poets. Describing their creative process, most of them had some sort of routine... Read More

Dog shitting

Submitted by CPR on February 14, 2009 - 3:29pm.

My wife says my writing process is like a dog's for shitting: I go around in nervous circles for a while, but ultimately, I get into position and it all comes out.

Looking forward to part 2.

See? Spouses DO understand!

Submitted by Susan K. Perry, Ph.D. on February 14, 2009 - 3:50pm.

I love your wife's description, and I love that you take it in the loving spirit of mutual understanding and empathy in which it was offered (I think).

Trying to live without the rock

Submitted by Carol on July 9, 2009 - 7:33am.

Thanks for mentioning the fear of trying to write without the talisman. My talisman, my place, my flow, the scents and sounds I "need" in order to produce publishable work is: any crowded coffee shop. I didn't know that I had done this to myself until I heard Tony Robbins describe how we learn to make associations between a state of mind and a particular place or sense. Now I have young children and stay at home with them, and I'm struggling to make new associations in order to reach a particular state of productivity. All the while, I'm longing for a coffee shop like it's my security blankie. The very minute they start school I'll be heading to one!

Absolutely thrilled to have just discovered this blog. I co-wrote a paper on experiencing Csikszentmihalyi's sense of Flow while one is immersed in the hyper-reality of Walt Disney World. I'm so glad you've applied Flow to writing and I can't wait to read your book!