The Discipline in Creativity

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“The discipline of creation, be it to paint, compose, write, is an effort towards wholeness.” – Madeleine L’Engle

I’m always surprised by how much discipline there is in creativity. I say that with a wink because my personal expectation is that 2,000+posts into this blogging journey, I would have thought this would be easier. I have found so many benefits for the act of writing — from helping me understand my journey to this great blogging community, it’s easy for me to think that these things should write themselves.

I’ll have an idea bouncing around my head or my heart and it goes nowhere until I put my derriere in the chair. Even when I have my fingers on the keyboard, I need to discipline my inner editor to take a back seat so I can get the first draft written.

Which is a great lead in to the podcast conversation Vicki Atkinson and I had this week with author, blogger, and corporate communications specialist, Brian Hannon about National Novel Writing Month.

Brian tells us why he values the encouragement and accountability piece of NaNoWriMo.

He spills a little bit about the project he has in mind and the goals he’s setting for the month.

Brian is such a great writer, with roots as a newspaper writer and corporate communications specialist. So we get to see into the dichotomy of the flexibility in writing Brian has so beautifully explored in posts this week contrasted with the structure necessary to produce a novel.

It’s fun to hear how he makes time to write, especially as he gears up for NaNoWriMo.

Brian also turns the tables on Vicki and me and gets us to reveal a bit of the bigger projects we are working on. We get to collectively talk about the wonderful goal of producing “wholehearted writing” in whatever medium we choose.

I’m confident you’ll love the scenic and beautiful places we explore as we share the power of storytelling – in podcasts, in posts, and in novels.

We know you’ll love it!

Search (and subscribe!) for Sharing the Heart of the Matter on Apple, Amazon, Spotify or Pocket Casts OR Listen to it from your computer on Anchor: Episode 91: NaNoWriMo with Brian Hannon

Episode 91 show notes on Sharing the Heart of the Matter

HoTM episode 91 transcript

AND subscribe to our YouTube channel to see a video clip of each story: @SharingtheHeartoftheMatter.

Links for this Episode:

Writing from the Heart with Brian: https://writingfromtheheartwithbrian.com/

Vicki’s book about resilience and love: Surviving Sue

My book about my beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith

(featured photo from Pexels)

27 thoughts on “The Discipline in Creativity”

  3. Everyone has a story. I am glad you three take a look at how to reach into the self and pull it out and into the world of words.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. I think that’s one of the biggest misses people make. Everyone has a story. Just like the saying goes, everyone has something going on that we don’t know about. It’s the same with stories. I think that’s what makes life interesting. Thanks Dr. Stein.

      Liked by 2 people

  4. The best part of the interview was turning the tables and hearing what you guys are working on. Great stuff! You guys are the best Wynne. Love how you encourage other writers and have created such a great community. I definitely should have kept my mouth closed and waited until the end (ha, ha, I’m kidding), but I’m very appreciative of the encouragement and support!!!!!😎😎😎

    Liked by 3 people

      1. It is so unhelpful. I was planning on using NaNoWriMo to revise the manuscript I wrote last year. But I have guests coming tomorrow for five days. I’m cleaning the house, grocery shopping, etc. I’ll be off to a slow start, but I still may take it on.

        Like

  7. I am coming to appreciate the practice of discipline in getting things done. And, I see how it applies to creativity as well. I’m admittedly not there yet when it comes to either!

    Liked by 1 person

  8. You make a great point about getting in the chair. The ideas can be brilliant and imaginative, but they’re gonna stay in your head until you turn them into words, illustrations, music, etc.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Creativity today is often a word that lacks a precise definition. Everyone is encouraged to be creative. Of course, just like any profession, especially in the arts, creativity requires discipline. As a professional author who wrote books and scripts, I approached my work as a regular job. In addition, I also held a “normal” job teaching linguistics at an Ivy League university, which demanded even more discipline.

    When it comes to writing, it is essential to recognise that it involves teamwork. Good communication skills are necessary for collaborating with your editor, agents, and PR team, much like how painters and sculptors work with their gallerists. I’ve noticed that most of my successful colleagues are extroverted individuals. Being able to present yourself well to the public is crucial.
    These are some of the fundamental skills that any so-called creative person needs if they wish to sustain themselves through their creativity.

    Klausbernd 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. What a fantastic comment from your extensive experience. I love your note about teamwork and communication. Vital skills necessary for the presentation of our creative pursuits. Thank you, Klausbernd!

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Writing can be such an isolating and lonely experience and it’s wonderful when you can find and build community with other writers that help provide encouragement and accountability.

    I enjoyed your conversation with each other. Creativity really does require discipline of sorts and I can see how exercise and self care provides one with the sustenance to keep going at it!

    Liked by 1 person

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