Writers First Aid

Wrapping Up with “Flow”

December 26, 2011

Merry Christmas a day late! I hope your holidays were lovely and were spent with family and friends–either in person or by phone or Skype or email.

We saw lots of grandkids over the weekend, and I got to hold babies (my favorite thing), and I was definitely NOT thinking about “writing in flow.”

But today I am.

Wrap-Up

I have a couple of short articles for you to read that go along with the six-part series that covered the last two weeks. One is called 9 Things That Take You Out of Flow, and the other is 5 Ways to Maintain Flow When You Work. Both are good summaries and highlight some of the points made in the series.

In review, here are the posts on “writing in flow” from the last two weeks. It would be a good idea, when you have an hour, to read through them all in order, make notes of any of the “keys” that need work or attention, and make a written plan on how you can incorporate the steps into your writing life.

I intend to do that myself. I want to hit 2012 “in flow” and make it one of the most productive and FUN writing years ever!

In Review

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Thanks, Kristi, for this series. I’ll be referring to it as I try to achieve more in 2012 than I did in 2011. Happy New Year!

Comment by Jane Heitman Healy — December 26, 2011 @ 1:19 pm
Jane, I’m doing this myself. Everywhere I turn these days, I’m seeing the subject of flow. We’re all so different too…what contributes to good “flow conditions” for one writer can cause writer’s block in another writer. It’s one area where we really need to pay attention to our own individual bent.

Comment by Kristi Holl — December 26, 2011 @ 6:55 pm
Thank you for this series, Kristie! It’s just what our writing group needed to end the year and gear up for 2012. Keep up the great work!

Comment by Katherine — December 27, 2011 @ 11:03 pm
Katherine, thank you! I know that attending to all the various “flow conditions” looks like a lot of work to some, but the pay-offs are HUGE. Not only do I want to write more and write better, I want to get back to ENJOYING the writing much more. “Getting in flow” can do all three things!

Comment by Kristi Holl — December 27, 2011 @ 11:57 pm
Thanks for the links, Kristi. I will certainly go back and read over these again. I am finding at the moment that I can work on my novel very easily with a notebook and pen, letting my ideas flow, but as soon as I get near the computer, I procrastinate. I definitely need to start 2012 with a lot more flow and lot less freezing up!

Comment by Sherryl — December 28, 2011 @ 12:16 am
Sherryl, I find it so fascinating that simple little things–like where we write, or what instruments we write with–can be such a big contributing factor to our writing in flow–or NOT. I’m tired of using so much energy overcoming bad “flow conditions.” I don’t have that much to waste anymore! It’s time to get conditions lined up better for easier, more fun writing!

Comment by Kristi Holl — December 28, 2011 @ 9:00 am
I stumbled upon this, this morning and so I’ve read through the whole series of posts on “Flow.” Very helpful! I’ve been trying all week to start work again my ICL assignment novel. What with the end of Nano, holidays and sickness I’ve definitely not been having any “flow” and a lot of writer’s block! I think this is going to be a big help to me. Thanks again!

Comment by Leslie Dawson — December 28, 2011 @ 1:47 pm
Leslie, I’m glad you found us! I can sure understand why you’re in a slump at the moment. I think most of us need help getting “flowing” again after the holidays, even without the sickness, which gives you a double whammy. And seeing the different “keys” for making flow happen gives us a handy checklist for when things stall and we don’t know why. Best of luck to you getting re-started!

Comment by Kristi Holl — December 28, 2011 @ 2:07 pm