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.
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.
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. :)
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!
Oct 23, 2022·edited Oct 23, 2022Liked by Matt Zamudio
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.
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!
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!)
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
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.
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.
Just keep doing what you're doing.
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.
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. :)
Another good read.
Welcome to the Midwest! One of your best writings...Thanks
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.
Hope your winter is a new adventure,
fred
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!
Stay warm out there and cant wait to see what you cook up in the winter my man
Wow! This was brimming with raw honesty. Loved it.
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!
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.
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!)
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.