The Creative Space - real space and the space in your head

I have been thinking about the act of creation. Or should I say recreation, since everything spring forth from something else.

The dilemma we have, is that we need to unplug to create. Some of you might argue with this point and say that you can create while the email ping sounds, your cell phone vibrates with a new text and you overhear ten different cubicle conversations. I would argue that you could be creating at a much deeper level if you focused more effectively.

Note: My email just pinged. I went to look, deleted the new message and now I am back. It is taking me a few moments to get back into what I was writing for this post.

I was saying that we need to unplug to create. I know this to be true for my writing. The best writing comes when I shut down all outside influences for at least four hours. This is tough with all the plugged in things we have in our lives and the people and pets who seek our attention.

And then there are bodily functions and thirst and temperature and other physical interruptions that pop up.

Note: My writing was just halted by thoughts of being cold. I could not decide whether to turn the heat on because it will be hot later and so it is best to keep the room cold and put on a fleece pullover. Or perhaps I should get on the water rower and generate heat.

Creation demands our undivided attention. And yet, so many of us find this a hard gift to give ourselves. Even the little red squiggly line that pops under misspelled words can disrupt thinking.

Note: Another ping. Should I look? Heck, I have already diverted my attention, might as well look. Two messages, deleted them both. Where was I?

Perhaps instead of a sensory deprivation tank, we need a disruption free module in our backyards. We could remodel an Air Stream Bambie and make it a safe zone. Or get one of those new office sheds. But the key would be to NOT bring cell phones, email, phones, or other potential distracters into the module.

Note: Another ping. It's OK, I am still distracted because I am still cold and have not put on another layer.  This email is good - the REI summer sale starts today.

When I think about great writers - Hemingway, Steinback, other dead guys - I imagine they went to secluded places where they could write undisturbed. I have been to Hemingway's home in Key West and, other than the genetically mutated extra-toed cats, it seems like a place that would have allowed him to focus while writing.

Note: I am now distracted by my own mental interruption. I can't help but wonder why there are BOTH too many wild chickens and too many street cats in Key West. It seems as though one would take care of the other and they would just have too many freak fat cats. Having an extra toe means having an extra claw, too. One more weapon against the chickens. But this has nothing to do with creativity.

Note: The heater just kicked on, which tells me that I was not being a sissy, it was cold in here (we have the thermostat set at 67, so it must be colder than this).

I am trying to think back to the last time I was able to create in a

Note: Another ping. Looked. It's my daily Publisher's Lunch email.

I am trying to think back to the last time I was able to shut out the disruptions to create. It has been a long time. I have read about famous writers who said that they took years to write a book. I always marveled at this because it seems like such a long time. But maybe this is because it takes that long to string together bits of uninterrupted writing time.

an hour here
25 minutes there
two hours last week
etcetera

Note: I am distracted by the fact that this is likely the first time I have ever typed out the word etcetera in a sentence. It looks strange. We get so used to abbreviations.

Note: the heater is still going, which tells me that it was VERY cold in my office. No wonder I was having a hard time thinking. Geezze.

What is the solution to this conundrum? How can we possibly create within the mess that is our everyday lives? I think we need to do the best we can to reduce distractions. Turn the ping off, the cell phone off, go to the bathroom, dress comfortably, go for a pre-thinking walk, pet the cats, fill up a large mug of coffee and try to create.

Comments

[Mike King]

I'm glad you DO unplug to write normally, because that was terribly distracting even to read. Your point is well made though and I absolutely agree that people don't focus and keep themselves distracted. My link shows some techniques to help with that on the computer.

Thanks for the interesting article, I hope it encourages people to not do this for writing only, but everything they work on. Stay focused, you get much more done.

[lisa haneberg]

Thanks for the link, Mike!

Note: I am now distracted because it is too hot in my office.

[Phil]

A great post, albeit a bit painful to see my own writing foibles laid bare by someone else! It does take me a while to settle to writing and you're right, almost anything can distract me up to a point. But once I get down to it, writing puts me in the zone like no other work I've done, or do. Try reading "Finding Flow" by Mihalyi Csíkszentmihályi.

Phil
http://www.the-happy-manager.com/index.html

[lisa haneberg]

Phil - that "Flow" is one humongous book. I would have to totally rearrange my life to read it. Kidding, of course. It is huge, but very good indeed.

[Linda Griffin]

Excellent topic! Lack of concentration is a huge problem in today's world. With so many things vying for our attention, it's a wonder that we complete anything at all. One technique I've used is to set a timer for 30 minutes on my PC and for that period focus on nothing else but the task at hand. This has greatly reduced the temptation to check those emails immediately because I know that in just short time, I can appease my curiosity.

Sean and I were watching Crossroads the other night, it was Jimmy Buffet and the Zac Brown Band. During one of the songs there is military drumming used to incredible effect. I literally said,“ Oh, man, that kind of drumming gets me every time. It’ s like drop- a- baby entrancing.” It was the oddest thing I have ever said.