We write who we are. Or at the very least, we write from who we are.
In the same way that beautiful gardens and happy productive children don’t just happen, neither does good writing. All of these are products of an environment.
How’s Your Writing Ecosystem?
So what if you took an ecosystems approach to your creative life? I’m not talking about where you write, though that’s important. I’m talking about the larger setting in which your writing takes place: your life.
What if the way to become a better writer has nothing to do with writing?
What if it has just as much to do with things like
- rest
- relational support
- exercise
- your reading life and other intellectual stimuli
- reflection
- prayer or meditation
- being connected with those we love
- recreation
I’m reminded of a writer who found that running was crucially important to his writing life. I’m not advocating a one-size-fits-all approach here. Running may not be your thing, but don’t miss the key principle here: assessing vital areas of your life now and again is important to your writing career.
Don’t get me wrong. If you want to become a better writer, there’s no substitute for the B.I.C. method—butt in chair. But it’s important to look at the larger context of your B.I.C.
How can you become healthier—more connected and reflective and whole?
What about Unhealthy Writers Who Have Been Successful?
Wait, some will say, Hemingway was a drunk. That didn’t seem to slow him down much. And it’s true. Many of our best writers throughout history struggled with myriad forms of self-sabotage and unhealthy behavior.
Obviously some writers are just gifted for whatever reason, but Hemingway did not write drunk. And I have a hard time believing the best world literature has to offer was produced by a sustained lack of health.
Don’t be fooled. The quality of your life has profound influence on the quality of your writing.
The Health Benefits of Writing
Remember, too, that this is a two-way street. Being healthy improves your writing, but it’s also true that writing improves your health!
Numerous studies have revealed that expressive writing is really good for our physical and emotional health. It has even helped people suffering from PTSD to recover more quickly.
Generally speaking, the evidence reveals we are wired to be writing creatures. When we write, we grow and heal and develop and become better versions of ourselves.
That’s some good news for writers!
A Brief Exercise for Assessing and Improving Your Writing Ecosystem
So what to do with all this? How does a person apply this practically and move forward? I’ve put together a little self-assessment and action plan that you might find helpful. It uses slightly different language than I’ve used here, but I think you’ll get the connection quickly enough.
To have a look, click here.
Question: What’s one area of your life where with a little concentrated effort you could make real progress? Do it for your art’s sake! You can leave a comment by clicking here.
Love this holistic viewpoint!
Amongst my writing friends, I will often tell them that I a not a writer … I am a do-er. But I know deep down that writing helps me stay grounded and mentally healthy. The constant tornado of ideas in my head will exhaust me if I don’t get them out. The thing on the assessment that popped out at me is controlling distractions. I’m bad about starting to writing and then find myself taking a “think break” can clicking around the internet or playing on my phone.