I'm glad that the Substack app has the feature to write and publish posts now. It's something I'd been waiting for, as I get ideas in the oddest on-the-go places.
But I also feel a tension here ...
As a writer and creator, I know the importance of disconnecting at times (from constant input and the felt necessity of output) in order to cre…
I'm glad that the Substack app has the feature to write and publish posts now. It's something I'd been waiting for, as I get ideas in the oddest on-the-go places.
But I also feel a tension here ...
As a writer and creator, I know the importance of disconnecting at times (from constant input and the felt necessity of output) in order to create something in solitude. To have the space to think and reflect and sometimes let an idea settle and distill and develop before sending it out into the world.
Henry David Thoreau would not likely have written "Walden" if he had a smartphone in hand. Annie Dillard might not have penned "Pilgrim at Tinker Creek" if she spent her time browsing the socials.
A question for other writers:
How do you deal with this tension? This ability to be constantly "distracted" by the very device with which we can now create? Do you have rules or guidelines for yourself: No checking updates or feeds during these 45 minutes of "creation"?
I hear you. One of best approaches I have heard was from Cal Newport. He recommends arranging specific times when we check internet based things and keeping to a limited schedule. His book Deep Work was helpful. Otherwise the devices rewire our brains and rob us of focus and productivity.
It is a struggle! That's all I can say about it, without getting mad at myself... I find myself damning my own weakness as I'm sucked into the mundane day to day coma of this primitive punishment-planet that those before us willingly accepted into being. The constant creative urge to write and the lazy habit of mindlessly searching for entertainment, are in some kind of perpetual competition for my attention. In short: It's a struggle!
I'm glad that the Substack app has the feature to write and publish posts now. It's something I'd been waiting for, as I get ideas in the oddest on-the-go places.
But I also feel a tension here ...
As a writer and creator, I know the importance of disconnecting at times (from constant input and the felt necessity of output) in order to create something in solitude. To have the space to think and reflect and sometimes let an idea settle and distill and develop before sending it out into the world.
Henry David Thoreau would not likely have written "Walden" if he had a smartphone in hand. Annie Dillard might not have penned "Pilgrim at Tinker Creek" if she spent her time browsing the socials.
A question for other writers:
How do you deal with this tension? This ability to be constantly "distracted" by the very device with which we can now create? Do you have rules or guidelines for yourself: No checking updates or feeds during these 45 minutes of "creation"?
I'm curious how you all find your balance here.
I hear you. One of best approaches I have heard was from Cal Newport. He recommends arranging specific times when we check internet based things and keeping to a limited schedule. His book Deep Work was helpful. Otherwise the devices rewire our brains and rob us of focus and productivity.
Thanks for the recommendation. It's often helpful to see how different creatives honor their time to create and fine balance.
you’re welcome…it can be a challenging thing, right?
It is a struggle! That's all I can say about it, without getting mad at myself... I find myself damning my own weakness as I'm sucked into the mundane day to day coma of this primitive punishment-planet that those before us willingly accepted into being. The constant creative urge to write and the lazy habit of mindlessly searching for entertainment, are in some kind of perpetual competition for my attention. In short: It's a struggle!
I understand! I find it challenging, too.