Imagine a writing life bathed in golden sunlight, where creativity flows freely and each word feels like a brushstroke on a masterpiece. Now, contrast that with the frantic scramble of deadlines, self-doubt and the nagging feeling of never doing enough. This written piece is your bridge between those two realities, a roadmap to escape the busyness trap and cultivate a writing life that sparks joy.
In this missive, I’ll be sharing thoughts on:
The busyness trap and it’s disguises
Identifying your ideal writing life
Aligning your efforts with your writing dreams
Cultivating blissful habits
Bonus #1: Genre-specific tips for fantasy and sci-fi
Bonus #2: Free gift - Blissful writer’s life vision board activity
Have you ever found yourself at the end of a long writing day, exhausted from a flurry of activity, yet strangely unfulfilled? You've crossed countless items off your to-do list: edited a chapter, responded to comments on social media, researched that obscure detail for your worldbuilding. But a nagging sense of unease lingers. You haven't inched any closer to finishing your manuscript, and the spark of creativity feels like a distant memory.
This, my fellow writers, is the trap of the "busy writer." We fall prey to the illusion that constant activity equals progress. We equate the frantic scramble of tasks with productivity, mistaking busyness for the blissful state of creation we crave.
The "manifesting and doing" oracle card embodies the power of aligning action with intention. However, its shadow side warns against the pitfall of hoping for busy instead of happy. This trap applies not just to writers but to anyone chasing dreams. Yet, for writers, the consequences are particularly harsh. Creativity thrives in an atmosphere of focus and flow, which the relentless churn of busyness stifles.
So how do we, as writers of imaginary worlds and captivating stories, break free from this self-imposed hamster wheel and find our path to writing bliss? The answer lies in a crucial step – aligning our efforts with our dreams.
The busyness trap and its disguises
The busyness trap can be a master of disguise. It takes on different forms, each promising the illusion of progress but ultimately leading us astray.
The "Perfectionist Procrastinator" spends hours agonizing over every sentence, rewriting and editing until the fire of the original idea is extinguished.
The "Social Media Butterfly" flits from platform to platform, engaging in online discussions and contests, neglecting the actual writing that fuels their presence.
The "Comparison Chaser" becomes lost in the achievements of others, constantly tweaking their own work to chase fleeting trends and external validation.
These disguises are alluring because they offer a sense of control. We can measure our progress in "likes," edited words or completed online courses. But these metrics ring hollow when measured against the true gauge of success – the satisfaction of creating something meaningful. The busyness trap leaves us drained, frustrated and questioning our abilities.
Identifying your ideal writing life
The first step to escaping the busyness trap is to envision a different reality. It's time to dream – not just about the imaginary worlds we create, but about the ideal environment in which those worlds flourish.
Imagine your ideal writing routine: Do you thrive in the quiet solitude of the early morning, or do you need the buzz of a coffee shop to jumpstart your creativity?
Visualize your writing space: Is it a dedicated room filled with books and inspiration boards, or a cozy corner of your living room bathed in natural light?
Define your success metrics: Beyond word count and publication deals, how will you measure your progress and feel fulfilled as a writer?
Most importantly, capture the emotional state associated with writing bliss: Is it a sense of deep focus and flow? The exhilarating rush of a new idea? Perhaps it's the quiet satisfaction of putting words on the page, one sentence at a time.
By meticulously crafting this vision, you create a powerful roadmap. Here's how to get practical and translate your ideal writing life into actionable steps.
Aligning your efforts with your writing dreams
Bridging the gap between dream and reality requires two key things: SMART goals and intentional action. The SMART goal system, while admittedly rigid for some (including me!), offers a strong framework for tracking progress and holding ourselves accountable to our writing ambitions.
SMART goals provide the roadmap; they are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. Instead of a vague aspiration to "write more," set a SMART goal like "finish the first draft of chapter 3 by next Friday."
Intentional action ensures you move toward your goals. Learn to differentiate between essential and non-essential activities. Scrutinize your daily routine and ruthlessly eliminate tasks that don't contribute to your writing goals. This includes learning to say "no" to requests that don't align with your vision. Everyone loves to talk about upholding boundaries with other people, but rarely do they talk about upholding boundaries with themselves.
Mastering time and embracing inspired action
Conquering the busyness trap requires mastery over time and a commitment to fostering a creative flow. Here are some techniques to help:
The pomodoro technique: Work in focused 25-minute intervals with short breaks in between. This helps maintain focus and prevents burnout.
Batching similar tasks: Group similar tasks together (e.g., email replies, editing) to minimize context-switching and maximize efficiency.
Forge a relationship with Saturn (Kronos): While the Roman god Saturn might conjure images of limitations, his Greek counterpart, Kronos, embodies time itself. Consider him as a wise and steady force. Schedule dedicated writing time, treat it as an important appointment and approach your writing goals with a sense of patient persistence.
Digital detox:
Schedule dedicated periods to disconnect from the constant ping of notifications and the lure of social media. This allows you to enter a state of deeper focus and tap into your wellspring of creativity.
Embracing inspired action:
While focus and planning are crucial, there's also space for magic in the writing process. Don't mistake "intentional action" for rigidly forcing creativity. Schedule time for activities that spark inspiration – reading in a different genre, visiting a museum, taking a walk in nature (I do this daily). The key is to facilitate a creative flow, not force it.
Cultivating blissful habits
Beyond time management, consider incorporating practices that nurture your well-being and support your writing journey. These "blissful habits" create a foundation for sustained creative output.
Mindfulness and meditation: Techniques like mindfulness and meditation can help manage stress, improve focus and enhance your overall sense of well-being.
Physical activity and healthy routines: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and proper sleep fuels both your body and mind.
Reading and learning for inspiration: Immerse yourself in works that inspire you, both within and outside your genre.
Building a supportive writing community: Connect with other writers online and offline. Share your work, offer and receive feedback, and celebrate each other's successes.
Celebrating your wins: Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, big and small. Finishing a chapter, reaching a daily word count goal – these milestones deserve recognition.
The busyness trap is a powerful illusion that can derail even the most passionate writer. By identifying your ideal writing life, setting SMART goals and taking intentional action, you can break free and get on a path to writing bliss. The journey itself can be — and often is — a source of joy. Celebrate the process, embrace the flow of creativity and savor the satisfaction of crafting your worlds and stories.
Bonus section: Genre-specific tips
Fantasy and sci-fi writers often face unique challenges in their creative process. Here are some ways to adapt these strategies to your specific genre:
Schedule dedicated time for worldbuilding activities like researching historical periods, sketching maps or creating character profiles.
Think of research as a form of creative exploration, not just a chore.
Connect with other fantasy and sci-fi writers. Engage in discussions about specific subgenres, worldbuilding techniques and navigating the genre market.
The key is to identify what works best for you and adapt these strategies to fuel your unique creative fire. Break free from the busyness trap, embrace the bliss of focused action and let your imaginary worlds and stories flourish.
Bonus section: Blissful writer’s life vision board activity
Create a vision board for your "blissful writer's life." Fill it with images, quotes and words that represent your ideal writing space, routine and emotional state. Refer to it regularly as a source of inspiration and a reminder of the fulfilling journey you're on. Click here to download the workbook.
The most captivating worlds often begin with a single, focused step. Take that step today, and open yourself up to the joyous adventure of crafting your own blissful writing life.