Mindset Aspects of Creativity and Writing

When I first started writing, more than the actual writing, I spent a lot of time on reading about writing. Later, after reading a lot about writing, I realised that my time is best spent in the actual writing, going forward. But at that point in time, when I was new to writing, publishing and overall question of why one writes, those readings were quite useful. They allowed me to create a mental framework about what to expect from writing, and let me pursue my writing without distraction and with satisfaction.

One of the books (and authors) I read a lot at that time was ‘The Successful Author Mindset’  by Joanna Penn. Coming from two decades of corporate life and with a strong academic background, everything I did seemed to have a need for success within. A sorry plight now when I look back, but true nonetheless. Hence, even as an author, being successful was perhaps important then, though no one had much of an idea of what success meant as an author, except being on some bestseller lists, perhaps?

In any case, long story short, and my rambling apart, this was an interesting book. And like many interesting books that teach me something, I made notes out of it. This one was a big bunch of notes, so I thought I will post them in the form of sets based on the topic those notes cover. So here are some notes on the Mindset Aspects of Creativity and Writing.

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Embrace self- doubt as part of the creative process. Be encouraged by the fact that virtually all other creatives, including your writing heroes, feel it too with every book they write.

After writing, this need for validation can spill into publishing decisions. Am I good enough to get an agent and a publisher? Am I good enough to be read and loved by readers? Am I good enough to win prizes and thrill critics? Am I good enough to sell millions of books, get fantastic reviews and to make a living with my writing?

It makes indie authors chase after the latest marketing fad, hoping that it will help them get noticed in a sea of books. It drives authors to read their own book reviews even though the good ones will puff you up and the bad ones will bring you down, and ultimately, they are just someone else’s opinion.

This need to be heard, for validation and ultimately, love, will never go away.

We also have to learn to self- validate, to understand that the writing process is the point, rather than the reception of our work or the rewards that may or may not come.

For indie authors, validation comes from sales and reviews from a growing readership. This need can turn into a constant rechecking for the latest reviews, with days ruined by a one- star review and obsessing over what could have been different. The only antidote to all this is to keep writing.

It’s also a good idea to reframe the fear. Because, actually, no one really cares what you’re up to.

We identify with our work, so we feel that rejection of the book is essentially rejection of us as people.

Our most powerful writing comes from the subconscious, that part of the brain we access when we shut down that inner critic and just let the words come.

Ignore what you (or other people) think you should write, and look at your bookshelf. What do you love to read? What do you choose as a guilty pleasure? Be honest with yourself, even if you come from a literary background. What’s fun for you? Then go write that.

Don’t write what you know, write what you’re interested in, and you will never run out of ideas.

All human experience has already been cataloged in countless books. But your thoughts have not been written before, and your story has not been told before. You are the original aspect of creativity, and what you bring to the world will be different to what others bring, even on the same topic.

Cultivate an abundance mentality and you will be far happier. Find authors in your niche who serve the same audience as you. Read their books and recommend them to your readers. Give without expectation of receiving.

There are pros and cons with all of these ways to spend time, but ultimately, writers write, they don’t just talk (or tweet or blog or Facebook or Instagram) about writing.

I write because I want some kind of immortality, because otherwise I’ll have nothing to show for the years that pass. I measure my life by what I create, and every day, I’m grateful that I am not stuck in my old corporate consulting day job.

Our family and friends may love us but they are unlikely to understand our need to write, unless they are creatives themselves.

It’s tough, but generally our family and friends are not our potential readers.

Finding your voice is about knowing yourself, and letting yourself be the writer you really are.

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