Writer’s mindset and 6 maxims to find yourself more in the mindset
When I first started writing this blog about writer’s mindset, it took me 10 minutes to put one word on the document because I kept checking my phone. I couldn’t really get myself to write on writer’s mindset. Irony, much?
This happens in at least 5 out of 10 cases. Even when I want to write, I end up floundering many times. I feel that my brain gets split into two in such situations, where one half asks me to stop typing and the other half doesn’t know what it’s typing. Even though I end up writing eventually, the struggle takes out the pleasure.
We stare at not the unwillingness to write but at the lack of awareness of the right mindset to write.
If writing can be such a struggle when there are deadlines to meet, creative writing stands no chance because, simply put, it’s creative. There are no deadlines to meet unless you are sending a book to a publisher. It’s a long, patient, lazy wait for inspiration to strike and words to magically transport themselves to the paper or the screen.
This is what we are trying to address at The Folded Paper. We are a writing group open for all — the experienced writers and also for those who wish to take up writing as a hobby, but haven’t been able to. We stare at not the unwillingness to write but at the lack of awareness of the right mindset to write.
A writer’s mindset is a state of positivity, bravery, inquisitiveness, open-mindedness, and eagerness to express oneself and one’s surroundings through words.
We believe anybody can write because all of us write on an average day, probably not an article, but possibly a text message. To be able to write more, we just need to step outside the comfort zone and do more of what we didn’t use to do before. And that takes the right motivation and attitude, that is, a writer’s mindset to write more often and confidently, to pursue the dream of being able to write.
A writer’s mindset is a state of positivity, bravery, inquisitiveness, open-mindedness, and eagerness to express oneself and one’s surroundings through words. It doesn’t accept defeat in the face of limiting beliefs like, “I am boring”, “I don’t have time”, “grammar needs to be perfected”. Instead it acknowledges them and works to grow through the limiting beliefs. It believes in one’s own experiences and stories, and aims at expressing them the best way possible in any moment.
The process vs the product
Fortunately, achieving this mindset isn’t a one time event. It has to be done every time the limiting beliefs come kicking in or whenever our ability to write slackens. Why fortunately? Because, each time we work to achieve the writer’s mindset, the focus shifts from the product (writing) to the process (the writing mindset). The product might not be relevant tomorrow, but the process will create more relevant products.
So, at The Folded Paper’s workshops and community meetings, we share a list of six maxims that we call the Folded Paper Oath. These are like the starter package to develop a writer’s mindset.
Word of caution: Writer’s mindset isn’t the magic writing pill, rather it’s the ingredient needed to make the pill. You might have the ingredients, but to make the pill, you will have to use the ingredients.
It’s essential to give ourselves the creative freedom in creative writing to say ‘YES’ to stupid or insane first thoughts.
Having said that, the six maxims are:
1. I’ll say ‘YES’
We learned a lot of writing lessons from Natalie Goldberg’s book, “Writing Down the Bones”. She calls first thoughts as electric. They are the first unadulterated impression of an idea, a thing, or a person that is purely ours. And we shouldn’t say ‘NO’ to something that belongs to us, something that we birthed ourselves, unless that something asks us to not follow the quarantine norms.
Our first thoughts should be welcomed with a ‘YES’ to see what they really hold. The thought might not be interesting or ground breaking, but it could be a new insight or become an inside joke we share with ourselves. Or, if it’s meant to be, it might be interesting as well. We will know only when we will say ‘YES’.
It’s essential to give ourselves the creative freedom in creative writing to say ‘YES’ to stupid or insane first thoughts.
2. Love and appreciation are my ways
As a professional writer, it’s embarrassing to say that I fail to start writing five times out of ten. But, well, that’s how it is. Earlier, this number used to be even higher and I appreciate how the number has improved. I also love writing irrespective of the hard time it gives me because the contentment after writing something is unparalleled.
With this love, peace, and acceptance of myself, I look out to discover my muse and stories. And most often I find something immediately, at times a little late. But, I find them.
Love and appreciation cool off the pressure of having to be the most creative, disciplined, and productive writer. Writing about a sunset is easier if we aren’t critical of ourselves and the things around us.
It doesn’t mean we should never get angry or upset or write about things that are antithetic to love. Instead, it just means, we can overcome being upset and angry if we try to be more appreciative and understanding.
3. I’ll write, when I write
If we are reading, daydreaming, texting, editing while writing, we are effectively writing only a fraction of the time.
Filling the time to write with other activities is akin to blocking out ideas, which is something we don’t want to do. And the pain of not effectively using the time to write is cruel. So, might as well write when we write.
4. I’ll write more
The Folded Paper’s vision is to “write a little more than before”. The ‘more’ could be one word, one sentence, or one page more. The goal is to focus on the process of putting words to paper so that our brains know we are up to something important and it doesn’t revolt as much as it used to before.
Comparison diminishes creativity. Our writing won’t express us, instead it will get into a codependent relationship with the writing of others. That isn’t good.
5. I’ll be adventurous
Writing can be tough. So, it’s essential that we frequently spice up the process of writing. We could write about off-beat, unique ideas. We could add some drawing, colors, try cursive writing, or maybe write in a bigger notebook. Or join a writing community, attend workshops. Anything to break the monotony. And what breaks the monotony is an adventure.
6. I’m good, they are good
The only time to compare writings is never. Writing isn’t a scale with standard measurements. You will know you’ve written something good when what you wanted to say comes out clearly. So is for the other people. They will know they have written something good when what they wanted to say comes out clearly. There is no other way to measure writing.
Comparison diminishes creativity. Our writing won’t express us, instead it will get into a codependent relationship with the writing of others. That isn’t good.
It’s important to know that there will always be problems in writing. And one way to tackle it is by continually trying to build the writer’s mindset backed by these oaths.
I took almost a week to complete this blog (along with my full-time job), but I completed it by applying the principles of “love and compassion are my ways” and “I’ll be adventurous”; I was empathetic towards myself and also stepped outside my comfort zone by sharing the embarrassing story of my failed writing attempts. Whenever I move away from the writer’s mindset, I am better equipped to catch myself because I am aware of the writer’s mindset.
The Folded Paper’s oaths might not be exhaustive for you. You could personalize them or add a few, depending on your writing patterns and priorities. For example, I have a personal oath — “take one day off”. After six days of intensive writing, I take one day off without any guilt.
What are your personal oaths? Let us know in the comments section.
The Folded Paper Memoir
The Folded Paper Memoir is an attempt to show how we learnt or practice what we preach.
Shibani Krishnatraya and I, the Founders of this writing group, always believed in a more compassionate outlook to writing. But we were not confident enough, because we were just starting out. Natalie Goldberg’s book, “Writing Down the Bones” proved to be one final affirmation that showed we were on the right path. We strengthened our approach to writing by learning from the book and we passionately suggest you read it.
The Folded Paper Writing Prompt
Our workshops and community meetings are filled with fun writing activities. In this blog too, we want to leave you with some activity based on the blog’s main message.
Make a list of five things that you feel are abundant in your life by looking at it through the lens of “love and appreciation”. Don’t forget to say ‘YES’ to your first thoughts.
Done?
The list that you now have is your topic list, is your inspiration, and is why your life and experiences are good and worthy to be written about.
About The Folded Paper
We want to make writing more mainstream and pleasurable for everyone. Follow us on The Folded Paper on Instagram to combine your writing journey with ours.
