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Following the Headlights in Your Writing: Navigating the Creative Unknown
Picture this: you’re hurtling down a dark, winding road in the dead of night. The only thing illuminating your path is the car’s headlights, casting a narrow beam of light that reveals just enough to keep you moving forward.
If something emerges from the darkness — a deer, a pothole, or perhaps a delightful roadside diner — you may find yourself veering off-script.
This scenario describes the writing process that many authors embrace, a method aptly termed “following the headlights,” first popularized by the esteemed writer Andre Dubus III.
Whether you meticulously plan every chapter before typing a single word or dive headfirst into a chaotic whirlwind of creativity, adopting a mindset that allows for flexibility can transform your writing.
It’s about giving yourself permission to explore the terrain of your imagination without needing to stick rigidly to your preconceived notions.
