As a former resident of the snowy Midwest, I would bike everywhere no matter the cold or snow. There is a definite skill to maneuver on ice and snow. It sounded crazy to most people (because it was), but it provided me a fun challenge to "conquer". The adventure of braving the elements on your morning commute rejuvenates your primal nature in a way caffeine never can. A lot of folks would (rightfully) complain there's not much to do outdoors in winters, but there is a community that finds adventure in even in the most mundane activities. These are still my fondest memories.
You are my hero. That's awesome! Biking everywhere takes some true guts, skill, grit. Your caffeine comment made me laugh. No doubt. I bet it gets you going very quick. I've ridden my bike a few times in the snow. I had no where to go and it was mid-afternoon, so it was actually pretty fun to feel the bike slide a bit, and hear the crunch under the wheels.
I like what you've said. It's true a lot of people hole up for the entirety of the winter, but I want to find the folks you speak of, the ones who still get out there. I just bought a nice coat - gear is essential - so I'm looking forward to exploring the new and alien (to me) snowy landscape when it comes.
Distraction is a normal process for writers. We are creative wild creatures. We find inspiration from subtle movement, and If we stay too focused, we might get lost in detail and miss out on all the open-ended sparks that fly around us in the process.
Mate, the fact that you beat yourself up for missing a few days of writing means you're probably way more consistent than the majority of us, so I wouldn't worry!
'If literature is about the experience of being human, how much can I know if sit behind a computer screen all day?" - Nailed it.
Good post! My inconsistencies are my only consistencies. Allowing myself to become distracted is a necessary art. I live with a bunch of musicians & fellow writers and they also feel distraction is necessary. The only time I try not to allow distraction is when I am drumming. We artists stay with the time.
Awesome comment. Good to know I'm not alone. I like how you put it. There is "an art" to getting distracted, I think. Who knows. It's simply interesting to be more aware of when I get distracted, rather than just floating away. This awareness might be a result of my writing practice. But again, who knows.
Anyway, together, let's just keep doing our thing, distractions or not.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment. Have a great weekend :)
I love this Matt! I'm the Queen of Distraction. I've been a visual artist my whole life. I'm mostly writing now but it's the same animal in terms of distraction. I think you summed it up so well. Those distractions can lead to some real gems. Maybe not so much via the computer, though. That distraction just eats up way too many hours.
I grew up in Michigan and moved to New Hampshire two years ago. My moving wish list included four distinct seasons. I LOVE winter! (Except for the driving.) Just wait. Get yourself some really warm clothes and some snowshoes. You'll have a blast and trust me, lots of things to write about. Plus, it's the best time to hibernate and write. :)
Interesting to hear that the same is true for visual artists. Not that I expected much else, but still interesting!
I'm really glad to hear some positivity from you and a few others about winter. I think it will be great. As a Californian, though, you're trained to view a totally normal winter as something like a hurricane. Or maybe I'm just a drama queen.
The fall has been incredible. I'd love to see it elsewhere, like New Hampshire or anywhere in the Northeast. You mention that your moving list included "four distinct seasons." I'm curious: what do you mean by that, since you moved from Michigan? Since moving to the midwest, it feels like there's four distinct seasons, at least a lot more than CA.
Anyway, thank you so much for your thoughtful comment. Have a great weekend :)
Hi Matt! Well, I just meant that everywhere I've lived I've had four distinct seasons - Michigan, Ohio, New York, New Hampshire. I love to visit warm places but would always say I couldn't live there. Maybe because I was born in December, IDK. I love to hibernate. Pretty sure you'll have some serious winter weather in Wisconsin because of the lake effect. Speaking of which - all those lakes!! There's nothing quite like ice skating on a pond or lake (provided it's frozen solid!) This is my second fall here in New England and it's pretty mind-blowing. The downside to living here is from May through mid-August when the bugs take over and make life pretty miserable. Here's to your first serious winter! Buy wool clothing! :)
Hey Matt, great article! It is definitely hard to turn the writer's brain off so you can enjoy other things. Good thing it is our passion and we are playing at work! Thanks for visiting and reading my Substack the other day! Best wishes for your success!
Hey Matt, what a beauty. I couldn't love a column more than this one. All of us beat up on ourselves for one reason or another. But very few of us can render the act in such rich and fun filled narrative. Here, here!
On your 'back to the letters' front I see one of the writers (besides George Saunders) whom, I think, you appreciate--Cormac McCarthy--has a new book out. Actually 2 books, a 400 page novel and a novella. But you probably already knew that.
Fred- Thank you so much! The beating up on ourselves thing is true, probably in every profession and every walk of life. More and more, I'm realizing that if you kind of just go for it, you're better off. I've said it a lot . . . flow, jam, etc. But I'm going to keep telling it to myself until it clicks. Something I've realized as I've aged somewhat, things really do take time -- rewiring the brain especially.
Yes, just ordered the Saunders book! Excited. Need to check out the McCarthy books. I have so many reading materials around here that I haven't read. But I don't care. I still like accumulating them for a rainy day, for when I get in a super-reading mood, for when the world ends.
I think winter will be a lot better than I'm chalking it up to be. I'm a bit of a drama queen.
Thanks for your well wishes. Have a great weekend :)
Fallow periods are necessary to any creative process, so you go right ahead and let yourself get distracted. It’s all brewing in there, as you know, and it will emerge when and how it needs to, not when you try to force it. Beautiful post!
Great post, Matt! "I’m a writer. Even when I don’t write, I’m a writer." YES!!!
Without time and space away from your writing you'd have nothing to write about, right? I wholeheartedly agree with you that it's okay to get distracted - it's part of the process.
I wrote something about that just a few weeks ago - when I sat down to write it, the post was going to be about how bad I felt about not having written for a while, but in fact it ended up being about how very, very okay I felt about it!
I'm glad that we both feel the same way. All my writings are far from being confidently right or true, but when I see comments like these, I feel better that may they cut somewhat close to the truth. Thank you, Rebecca. Hope all is well. I love the amount of green on your page and in your posts. You live in a beautiful place. Have a great weekend :)
Being too focused on writing, as well as on other things, comes dangerously close to obsession. So it's better, sometimes, to take a break without feeling guilty!
I refer to the cold months of November-February as the time of creativity. When the weather forces us to slow down, that’s when our imagination is at its peak. I hope you enjoy your first real winter (and get lots of writing done!)
I love that, Daisy Anne. I'm excited for the "time of creativity." I've never had a proper one before. Thank you so much for the well wishes. Wishing you the same. Write on! Have a great weekend :)
Enjoy fall and winter as with every snowflake and ice crystal, it gets warmer and dryer downunder. I’ve eebn waiting patiently to come out of my winter hibernation. But I do love the America fall
You'll have to come out for a fall and winter sometimes, Luigi. If nothing else, it will be wildly different. Thanks so much for your comment. Hope all is well. Have a great weekend :)
Been there done that Matt. I've been to Ithaca NY twice during fall and I've been in Chicago and NY during winter. One winter I was in NYC without winter clothes, because I didn't own any. It was so cold I stood in a line at Macy's for 2 hours to buy a beanie. All 3 airports were closed for about a week. The Hudson River was well frozen. I appreciate the country in all seasons, although I do prefer warm (not hot).
As a former resident of the snowy Midwest, I would bike everywhere no matter the cold or snow. There is a definite skill to maneuver on ice and snow. It sounded crazy to most people (because it was), but it provided me a fun challenge to "conquer". The adventure of braving the elements on your morning commute rejuvenates your primal nature in a way caffeine never can. A lot of folks would (rightfully) complain there's not much to do outdoors in winters, but there is a community that finds adventure in even in the most mundane activities. These are still my fondest memories.
You are my hero. That's awesome! Biking everywhere takes some true guts, skill, grit. Your caffeine comment made me laugh. No doubt. I bet it gets you going very quick. I've ridden my bike a few times in the snow. I had no where to go and it was mid-afternoon, so it was actually pretty fun to feel the bike slide a bit, and hear the crunch under the wheels.
I like what you've said. It's true a lot of people hole up for the entirety of the winter, but I want to find the folks you speak of, the ones who still get out there. I just bought a nice coat - gear is essential - so I'm looking forward to exploring the new and alien (to me) snowy landscape when it comes.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment, D'Nivra :)
Distraction is a normal process for writers. We are creative wild creatures. We find inspiration from subtle movement, and If we stay too focused, we might get lost in detail and miss out on all the open-ended sparks that fly around us in the process.
Beautifully said, Rozzebud. I agree. Thanks for stopping by and for your thoughtful comment.
Absolutely :)
Mate, the fact that you beat yourself up for missing a few days of writing means you're probably way more consistent than the majority of us, so I wouldn't worry!
'If literature is about the experience of being human, how much can I know if sit behind a computer screen all day?" - Nailed it.
Just keep doing what you're doing.
Thank you, Kris. Keep on keeping on. I appreciate it. Have a great weekend :)
Good post! My inconsistencies are my only consistencies. Allowing myself to become distracted is a necessary art. I live with a bunch of musicians & fellow writers and they also feel distraction is necessary. The only time I try not to allow distraction is when I am drumming. We artists stay with the time.
Awesome comment. Good to know I'm not alone. I like how you put it. There is "an art" to getting distracted, I think. Who knows. It's simply interesting to be more aware of when I get distracted, rather than just floating away. This awareness might be a result of my writing practice. But again, who knows.
Anyway, together, let's just keep doing our thing, distractions or not.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment. Have a great weekend :)
I love this Matt! I'm the Queen of Distraction. I've been a visual artist my whole life. I'm mostly writing now but it's the same animal in terms of distraction. I think you summed it up so well. Those distractions can lead to some real gems. Maybe not so much via the computer, though. That distraction just eats up way too many hours.
I grew up in Michigan and moved to New Hampshire two years ago. My moving wish list included four distinct seasons. I LOVE winter! (Except for the driving.) Just wait. Get yourself some really warm clothes and some snowshoes. You'll have a blast and trust me, lots of things to write about. Plus, it's the best time to hibernate and write. :)
Interesting to hear that the same is true for visual artists. Not that I expected much else, but still interesting!
I'm really glad to hear some positivity from you and a few others about winter. I think it will be great. As a Californian, though, you're trained to view a totally normal winter as something like a hurricane. Or maybe I'm just a drama queen.
The fall has been incredible. I'd love to see it elsewhere, like New Hampshire or anywhere in the Northeast. You mention that your moving list included "four distinct seasons." I'm curious: what do you mean by that, since you moved from Michigan? Since moving to the midwest, it feels like there's four distinct seasons, at least a lot more than CA.
Anyway, thank you so much for your thoughtful comment. Have a great weekend :)
Hi Matt! Well, I just meant that everywhere I've lived I've had four distinct seasons - Michigan, Ohio, New York, New Hampshire. I love to visit warm places but would always say I couldn't live there. Maybe because I was born in December, IDK. I love to hibernate. Pretty sure you'll have some serious winter weather in Wisconsin because of the lake effect. Speaking of which - all those lakes!! There's nothing quite like ice skating on a pond or lake (provided it's frozen solid!) This is my second fall here in New England and it's pretty mind-blowing. The downside to living here is from May through mid-August when the bugs take over and make life pretty miserable. Here's to your first serious winter! Buy wool clothing! :)
Another good read.
Thanks, Roland!
You're welcome Matt.
Welcome to the Midwest! One of your best writings...Thanks
That means a lot! Thank you very much. Have a great weekend :)
Hey Matt, great article! It is definitely hard to turn the writer's brain off so you can enjoy other things. Good thing it is our passion and we are playing at work! Thanks for visiting and reading my Substack the other day! Best wishes for your success!
Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment, Christopher! You're right, at least it's passion and not something else. Have a great weekend :)
Hey Matt, what a beauty. I couldn't love a column more than this one. All of us beat up on ourselves for one reason or another. But very few of us can render the act in such rich and fun filled narrative. Here, here!
On your 'back to the letters' front I see one of the writers (besides George Saunders) whom, I think, you appreciate--Cormac McCarthy--has a new book out. Actually 2 books, a 400 page novel and a novella. But you probably already knew that.
Hope your winter is a new adventure,
fred
Fred- Thank you so much! The beating up on ourselves thing is true, probably in every profession and every walk of life. More and more, I'm realizing that if you kind of just go for it, you're better off. I've said it a lot . . . flow, jam, etc. But I'm going to keep telling it to myself until it clicks. Something I've realized as I've aged somewhat, things really do take time -- rewiring the brain especially.
Yes, just ordered the Saunders book! Excited. Need to check out the McCarthy books. I have so many reading materials around here that I haven't read. But I don't care. I still like accumulating them for a rainy day, for when I get in a super-reading mood, for when the world ends.
I think winter will be a lot better than I'm chalking it up to be. I'm a bit of a drama queen.
Thanks for your well wishes. Have a great weekend :)
yes, rewiring the brain takes . . . . . . . .tick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . tock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . time . . . . .
still working on it "_"
Fallow periods are necessary to any creative process, so you go right ahead and let yourself get distracted. It’s all brewing in there, as you know, and it will emerge when and how it needs to, not when you try to force it. Beautiful post!
Thank you very much, Cheryl. I need this affirmation more than I'd like to admit! Hope all is well. Have a great weekend :)
Stay warm out there and cant wait to see what you cook up in the winter my man
Thanks, bud. You're the man.
Wow! This was brimming with raw honesty. Loved it.
Thank you so much, Priya.
Great post, Matt! "I’m a writer. Even when I don’t write, I’m a writer." YES!!!
Without time and space away from your writing you'd have nothing to write about, right? I wholeheartedly agree with you that it's okay to get distracted - it's part of the process.
I wrote something about that just a few weeks ago - when I sat down to write it, the post was going to be about how bad I felt about not having written for a while, but in fact it ended up being about how very, very okay I felt about it!
I'm glad that we both feel the same way. All my writings are far from being confidently right or true, but when I see comments like these, I feel better that may they cut somewhat close to the truth. Thank you, Rebecca. Hope all is well. I love the amount of green on your page and in your posts. You live in a beautiful place. Have a great weekend :)
Being too focused on writing, as well as on other things, comes dangerously close to obsession. So it's better, sometimes, to take a break without feeling guilty!
J.C.
Absolutely, J.C.! Obsession quickly takes a turn for the worse. Thank you for your thoughtful comment. Have a great weekend :)
I refer to the cold months of November-February as the time of creativity. When the weather forces us to slow down, that’s when our imagination is at its peak. I hope you enjoy your first real winter (and get lots of writing done!)
I love that, Daisy Anne. I'm excited for the "time of creativity." I've never had a proper one before. Thank you so much for the well wishes. Wishing you the same. Write on! Have a great weekend :)
Enjoy fall and winter as with every snowflake and ice crystal, it gets warmer and dryer downunder. I’ve eebn waiting patiently to come out of my winter hibernation. But I do love the America fall
colours. We don’t get those in Auckland.
You'll have to come out for a fall and winter sometimes, Luigi. If nothing else, it will be wildly different. Thanks so much for your comment. Hope all is well. Have a great weekend :)
Been there done that Matt. I've been to Ithaca NY twice during fall and I've been in Chicago and NY during winter. One winter I was in NYC without winter clothes, because I didn't own any. It was so cold I stood in a line at Macy's for 2 hours to buy a beanie. All 3 airports were closed for about a week. The Hudson River was well frozen. I appreciate the country in all seasons, although I do prefer warm (not hot).