How to Manifest Flow in Your Writing

You are a conduit. The sentences stream forth, free and easy and natural. Distractions fade away, and the scenes of your novel play out like a film before you. With a tap of your fingers or swoop of your pen, you pluck ideas from the ether and unleash them loose on the page. Minutes and hours pass. Your surroundings feel fresh and new, and you breathe like a person who has just risen from the sea.

If you’ve experienced flow as a writer, you know that it can be a seemingly spiritual experience. The problem is, flow, like the proverbial muses, doesn’t always accept our invitation. But if you’re working with limited time, this unanswered RSVP can have a strong impact on your progress, especially if you’re working within a time constraint like NaNoWriMo. In this short article, we discuss three tips to bring flow to the writing party.

What Is Flow in Writing?

Before we dive into the tips to get there, we need to agree on a definition. Positive psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihályi, described flow as the moment when "the ego falls away. Time flies. Every action, movement, and thought follows inevitably from the previous one, like playing jazz. Your whole being is involved, and you're using your skills to the utmost."

In other words, flow is when your focus narrows to your creative practice. The words flow like water from your fingertips. It’s no wonder so many people describe an effective writing session as a transcendent experience. So how do we instigate flow?

Tip One: Create a Context for Your Writing Practice

Writers can use the same techniques religions employ to induce a state of writing flow.

Because flow shares much in common with spirituality, religions can offer some guidance for how to create a good writing session. Traditional spaces for devotion actively encourage a state of flow. Be it the Qinglong Temple in Xi’an or Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, these sacred sites create a context for practitioners to engage with their spirituality.

These spaces encourage a state of flow. Features like high vaulted ceilings and plumes of incense guide devotees to emotions, perhaps a sense of smallness or unity or another emotion that is more difficult to name. The decorations and architecture reinforce the context of that space, and when practitioners enter, they are given permission to slip into flow.

Unfortunately, not many of us have the funds or space to create a temple devoted to our craft, but creating a setting for your writing doesn’t have to mean getting an architectural degree. Some options include:

• Music: Do you know a musician or type of music that gets you in the zone? Most writers prefer music that doesn’t have lyrics, but some creative people have found success with playlists that get them in the right mood. Just make sure you aren’t using your precious writing time to make those playlists.

• Location: Is there a space you can set aside solely for writing or similar creative activities? This could be a seat at the table or a side of the bed. Wherever they are, make sure you feel comfortable as you can.

• Tools: Do you have a specific pen or journal you like to use? Make use of one of those journals you have lying around. Or if you prefer typing on the computer, change the background of your desktop to signal that it’s time to write.

Whatever you choose, consistency is key. Repetition trains your brain to build connections between these details and your writing. With practice, you’ll notice that it gets easier to slide into a state of flow.

Tip Two: Follow a Writing Ritual  

Consistency can be difficult, and sometimes we might not always have access to our preferred writing chair or trusty pen. So, how can we instigate flow in our writing practice? Creating a ritual you can go a long way in letting your brain know that it is time to create.

Hypnotherapists refer to this practice as creating expectancy. Hypnotherapists do this by working with clients to develop a positive mindset before the session even begins. Flow is a full body state, but the main organ that drives this experience is the mind, and we can prep the mind to expect a productive writing session.

Start your writing sessions by lighting incense, drinking a cup of tea, or doing some stretches. What you do is not as important as when you do it. By doing this small ritual before every writing session, you can prepare your brain for a state of flow.

Tip Three: Relax Before You Write

Preparing yourself to write can be as simple as noticing your breath, stretching, or doing a short meditation session.

Unfortunately for many, control of your space isn’t always guaranteed. Maybe you hardly have any time in a space that is yours, or perhaps you share your space with other friends or family members. You still have options.

The same techniques that can be used to relax can be used for flow. Do whatever practices allow you to get in touch with yourself and your body. For many, manifesting flow is as easy as taking a moment to notice your breath. As with creating a setting, consistency is the greatest indicator of success.

So, next time you sit down to create, take a few moments to consider what sort of “rituals” might work for you. I think you’ll be surprised by the effect even a little time can make.

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