Focusing on a Project Exclusively
In Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World, Cal Newport discusses four different methods for accomplishing focused work. (He defines deep work as the "act of focusing without distraction on a cognitively demanding task.")
One method is to focus on a project to the exclusion of almost everything else. While this “monastic” philosophy isn’t necessarily practical for most writers on a regular, long-term basis, it can work for a limited time, like at a writing retreat. (For info on his three other philosophies, see my summary at Creativity, Rituals, and Deep Work.)
Writing Retreats
The Lodge at Highlights I recently had the chance to spend a few days of “unworkshop” time at the Highlights Foundation in Pennsylvania. They provide a room (either a personal cabin or a more inn-like space at The Lodge), plenty of food (three divine meals a day, plus snacks), and spaces to write (the Granary was my favorite). The rest is up to you.
Part of the magic of a retreat like Highlights is that there are limited distractions. There are no household chores and no family members/pets to care for. There isn’t much to do at all—in a good way—which means the writing takes precedence. (I did check email, but not first thing in the morning.) Much like Newport’s “monastic” philosophy, a retreat like this allows deep immersion into creative work. I was able to think deeply about my novel in a way that was gratifying.
Part of the magic of a retreat like Highlights is that there are limited distractions. There are no household chores and no family members/pets to care for. There isn’t much to do at all—in a good way—which means the writing takes precedence. (I did check email, but not first thing in the morning.) Much like Newport’s “monastic” philosophy, a retreat like this allows deep immersion into creative work. I was able to think deeply about my novel in a way that was gratifying.
My room at the Lodge When I returned home (a few days ago), I tried to spontaneously reconstruct the retreat concentration—and failed. Phone calls (unplanned), social time (planned), errands, and chores all needed to be taken care of.
I do wonder if I can better manage my week to create a “retreat” day by grouping errands and chores together, mapping out meals ahead of time, and staying offline—it can’t last forever, but the productivity might be worth the planning to make it happen. Have you ever tried that?
I do wonder if I can better manage my week to create a “retreat” day by grouping errands and chores together, mapping out meals ahead of time, and staying offline—it can’t last forever, but the productivity might be worth the planning to make it happen. Have you ever tried that?
On to the IWSG Blog Hop. . . .
Every month, the Insecure Writers Support Group hosts a blog hop with an optional question. Special thanks to Alex Cavanaugh for creating IWSG and appreciation to this month’s blog co-hosts: Kim Elliott, Melissa Maygrove, Chemist Ken, Lee Lowery, and Nancy Gideon.
May 4th question: It's the best of times; it's the worst of times. What are your writer highs (the good times)? And what are your writer lows (the crappy times)?
Every month, the Insecure Writers Support Group hosts a blog hop with an optional question. Special thanks to Alex Cavanaugh for creating IWSG and appreciation to this month’s blog co-hosts: Kim Elliott, Melissa Maygrove, Chemist Ken, Lee Lowery, and Nancy Gideon.
May 4th question: It's the best of times; it's the worst of times. What are your writer highs (the good times)? And what are your writer lows (the crappy times)?
I’ll stick with the positive! Some highs include loving when a scene captures just the right emotion, researching all kinds of interesting things in the name of story, celebrating a launch with friends and family, going on a personal writing retreat 😊, and discussing writing with other creative people.
One Last Thing
"If I organize my life in such a way that I get lots of long, consecutive, uninterrupted time-chunks, I can write novels. But as those chunks get separated and fragmented, my productivity as a novelist drops spectacularly." ~Neal Stephenson, “Why I Am a Bad Correspondent”
Have you ever participated in a writing retreat, away or at home, to give yourself uninterrupted writing time?
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