Summary

The website content provides guidance on creating a personalized writing ritual using the five senses to enhance creativity and productivity.

Abstract

The article "How to Create a Writing Ritual Using the Five Senses" emphasizes the importance of establishing a writing ritual to stimulate inspiration rather than waiting for it to occur spontaneously. The author, Ellie Jacobson, shares her own experience with evolving schedules and the development of a writing ritual that suits her current lifestyle. She suggests that a writing ritual can be a comforting routine that signals the brain to enter a writing state, allowing for uninterrupted flow of ideas before the editing process begins. The ritual involves engaging all five senses: lighting scented candles for smell, enjoying coffee or tea for taste, surrounding oneself with soft blankets and slippers for touch, listening to birds or instrumental music for hearing, and creating a visually inspiring environment for sight. The article also issues a challenge to readers to reflect on and share their own writing rituals, including the time, location, method of writing, and how their rituals have changed over time.

Opinions

The author believes that rituals are crucial in triggering the unconscious mind to start writing.
The stereotype of writers only writing when inspired is considered a myth; instead, one should create a conducive environment for writing.
Personal comfort is key in a writing ritual, with the author preferring freewriting in the morning but not editing until later in the day.
Engaging the senses is a personalized approach to creating a writing ritual, with the author using specific scents, tastes, tactile experiences, sounds, and visual cues to enhance the writing experience.
The author values the act of handwriting for its ability to spark creativity and make the writing process feel more like play.
There is an open invitation for readers to contribute their own writing ritual experiences and reflections to the "Fleet & Steel" publication.

Writing

How to Create a Writing Ritual Using the Five Senses

Don’t wait around for inspiration to strike, learn to ignite it yourself

Rituals are a good signal to your unconscious that it is time to kick in.

— Anne Lamott

It took me awhile to settle into one over the past few years, with evolving “day job” hours, my kids’ ever-changing school schedules (because of Covid). but now I have created one that works (for now).

A ritual signals to the brain, “Hey, it’s time to write!” The old writer stereotype of writers only writing when inspiration strikes is garbage. Create an environment that brings you comfort when you write, to encourage your brain and body to get into a flow of writing. This is the time to not edit your words, but to let them flow. Later, bring out the editor’s red pen.

Finding a ritual that works for me is the act of creating inspiration.

What that will look like differs from person to person. Take some time to figure out what works best for you.

I find freewriting in the morning is the best time for me. But I don’t like to edit in the morning. I need more time to wake up for that process. Sometimes (mainly on the weekends) I also like to freewrite in the late evening, right before going to bed.

Open the door to your five senses

Smell

I light a scented candle when I sit down to write. Since it feels like fall now in Minnesota, I use fall-inspired scents, like apples, pumpkins, and crème brûlée. I use minimal lighting where I write to keep the space cozy.

Taste

Coffee. Need I say more?! Or tea in the afternoon. I NEED coffee when writing in the morning. The warmth encourages me to settle in to stay focused on writing, until the cup is empty, then that means a five-minute break.

Touch

I write in my cave (I don’t like the word office; it feels stiff and formal). I keep several oversized, soft blankets and shawls over the back of my chair for the chilly mornings. A pair of slippers live under my desk. I don’t wear slippers around the house, only to slide into when I write.

Hearing

This will vary depending on what I’m writing and if I need to block out distracting sounds. Once my kids and husband are off to work and school, I enjoy listening to the birds that frequent my window birdfeeder. Nothing else. If people are around, I use my noise-cancelling headphones and listen mainly to instrumental music or nature sounds.

Sight

I’m fortunate to have a room to write that is all my own. One wall holds all my books with floor to ceiling built-in bookshelves. Family photos, inspirational artwork, and plants fill my space. Surround yourself with inspiration, whatever that is for you.

Writing Ritual Challenge

Do you have a writing ritual?

I was inspired by Samantha Jensen, MA, MAEd’s article about how handwriting sparked a creative muscle she had neglected.

Writing — old school style

What writing by hand taught me about myself and my craft

medium.com

Over the last few months I have turned to handwriting when I freewrite. The act of writing with pen and paper feels more like play, which is what I want when writing. I keep a notebook in my purse, at my favorite chair, and on my nightstand. You never know when inspiration will spark!

I challenge you to write about your ritual.

What is your process? Do you write at a specific time period? Where do you write? Do you type or handwrite?

Do you hate the idea of a ritual? Why?

How has it evolved over the years?

Submit your article to Fleet & Steel. I would love to read about your writing process.

Read over our submission guidelines and let me know in the comment box if you would like to be a writer.

Welcome to the Flint & Steel Publication

Submission guidelines

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@2021 Ellie Jacobson