The Writer's Process: Getting Your Brain in Gear

The chapters in this section discuss the mental activities and behaviors that are most critical to writers: attention and focus, flow, creativity, self-discipline, and mindset.

1. The work: The first three conditions of flow relate to the task at hand; it has goals, offers feedback, and is sufficiently challenging but within your abilities. 2. The external environment: The physical workplace plays a major role in whether you can focus on the task without distractions. 3. Your inner state: The remaining factors occur within y

Work that is challenging but within your abilities Work with clear goals (you know what you need to do) Immediate feedback through the activity itself A complete focus on the action A lack of distractions or mind wandering Absence of fear of failure Lack of self-consciousness The loss of awareness of time passing An overall sense of fulfillment or

When you run into problems or questions, jot them down on a list of unresolved topics. Don’t know how you should open a story? Did you write yourself into a plot corner? Make a note of what you need and where you’re stuck. Then think about it before you stop working, so that you can trigger the Incubation Effect and invite your Muse to pick up the

A Five-Step Process of Creativity

Build open attention into the schedule.

books Alone Together and Reclaiming Conversation. She

Thinking Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman,

When you take a walk, go for a run, or pursue everyday activities that don’t require effortful focus, your mind can enter a state of open attention.