Earlier this month I listened to Terry Gross’ interview with one of my favorite authors, Elizabeth Strout, on Fresh Air. Strout revealed during the interview that she maintained a strict writing practice:
“…I had a rule. Three hours for three pages. And I write by hand. So I really just meant three pages of notebooks – notebook pages filled. And I was always able to do the three pages…I would write what was most urgent to me at that time, and that proved to be helpful because then I could transpose whatever was feeling most urgent to myself – into a character, and that it would be truthful. There would be something truthful there and it wouldn’t be just wooden writing.”
When listening to the interview, I thought Strout had said, “Three hours or three hundred pages.” According to the transcript on NPR, the ‘or’ is a ‘for.’ Since I don’t have three spare hours every day, Strout’s words inspired me to fill three handwritten pages in a journal daily. I haven’t missed a day since I started a week ago. Without the prompting of a New Year, a holiday, or any notable landmark of time – I rolled out a new routine.
The steady workings of the universe not only brought me Strout’s interview, but in the same week I also came across a post on “Getting Back Into Writing Shape,” and attended an event in town held by holistic health coach Traci Philips. (The same Traci who co-facilitated the writing workshop with me last fall using essential oils as writing prompts.) I was unaware what the focus of Traci’s event was until I arrived. She always has something valuable to say so when I saw she was offering a free talk and it was just three miles from home I added it to my calendar. Her talk was on resolutions and our motivations–for anything in our lives, not just health. She asked very deep questions, like: Why? Really, why? It prompted everyone present to keep digging. She also explained that when she works with a client she discusses many different approaches until the individual connects with something. “Like a buffet,” she explained. She sets everything out on a figurative table and lets others come and take what suits them.
I’d like to think the different ‘signs’ I saw this month only motivated me to start a regular creative writing routine because I heard something that I connected with: Three pages. I can write three pages. Even after writing 2,000+ words for clients. I also connected with Strout’s handwritten practice – I love minimizing screen time and flexing the old school writer muscle.
I know other writers with their own unique rituals. Writing as soon as they get up. Slapping their own wrists if they don’t meet a 1,000-word daily quota. Stream of consciousness writing. Timed writing. And it goes on. That’s “the buffet” – none of it interested me. I found myself struggling for creative writing time, and only surfacing every few weeks to squeeze in a solid hour or two of revisions and very little new work. Protecting my writing time is still important to me, and now I know it’s protecting those three pages. Three pages are on the buffet every day.
It seems to me that a routine which has emerged like yours is much more sustainable than New Year’s resolutions etc. It’s so important to pay attention to your instincts, too – what feels right is much better than what you think is right, or what you think you should do because everybody else is doing it. Inspiring post!
Thanks, Sonya! You have sustained quite the prolific writing routine – just visited your site and impressed with your dedication and creativity.
Thank you! I stumbled on my routine by accident, as well 🙂