The Secret to Achieving Creative Flow
All you have to do is cooperate with a demon
Sometimes hard work pays off, but sometimes it makes things harder. If you’ve ever struggled to fall asleep, you know what I’m talking about. It’s always easier to fall back asleep when you stop trying so hard.
Writing can feel that way, too. Sometimes I brainstorm, I outline, I edit, and I end up with a blah draft. So I brainstorm and outline and edit more, and the second draft is a little less blah, but it still needs work. I continue this process until I have a draft that’s pretty good — or at least not completely terrible. This is the writing process, and I accept it.
But then are those moments when the writing flows effortlessly — process be damned. These moments always happen when I’m in the car or on a walk or in the shower. I’m minding my own business, or no business at all, and — bam! — inspiration strikes. I stop what I’m doing and grab a notebook, and the words ooze onto the page like syrup on pancakes.
