tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post5938939460979722456..comments2023-10-14T03:58:59.333-06:00Comments on The Tao of D&D: How Do You Write?Alexis Smolenskhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10539170107563075967noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-1815963273440596012017-05-27T12:38:18.485-06:002017-05-27T12:38:18.485-06:00I prefer utter silence. I must be some throwback ...I prefer utter silence. I must be some throwback to the medieval era, when monks used to speak to themselves as they wrote out sermons and biblical tracts in monasteries, because I do that. I appreciate listening to how a work sounds, as this is a good measure of how close to proper communication it can be. So I write and read aloud, then write some more.<br /><br />Because I'm in an environment now where utter silence is almost impossible to come by, as I live with other people who listen to internet nonsense with maniacal addiction, I have recently begun to write while listening to long youtube videos depicting rain or storms. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWoIljGEOQ4&t=5427s" rel="nofollow">This video</a> is my go-to favorite, which is to say it is the most neutral sound I can find.Alexis Smolenskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10539170107563075967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-23111967452050969012017-05-27T07:58:02.565-06:002017-05-27T07:58:02.565-06:00Here's another, Alexis: is music involved at a...Here's another, Alexis: is music involved at all?<br /><br />As I find my own keyboard dashes to be highly influenced by what I listen to, it got me wondering if that too might be a factor in getting you in the mindset.<br /><br />I've seen people grind to a background of podcasts, nature docs, sitcoms or movies, even the noise of crowds or, more rarely, utter silence.Drainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09724863160300686402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-38342957923943362362017-05-26T15:41:19.687-06:002017-05-26T15:41:19.687-06:00Thank you for that insight, Alexis. I was curious ...Thank you for that insight, Alexis. I was curious because a friend of mine (who is, i suspect, like you high in trait conscientiousness) was describing his regular flow states in which he does a staggering amount of work (legal consultant), yet detailed and accurate.... and the collapse afterward. It is a curious combination of discipline and whatever induces flow. It may be something like optimal arousal plus strong focus plus interest. I have not heard anyone before speak of a preparitory process for high productivity mental performance. <br />Kkimbohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12961382206655820923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-79827870259936781512017-05-26T13:04:47.357-06:002017-05-26T13:04:47.357-06:00That's a question!
Kimbo, I used to "get...That's a question!<br /><br />Kimbo, I used to "get into a flow" so to speak, with the idea of writing well and not poorly. Over time, I steadily learned not to write at all when I wasn't in a flow, since it was always crap and had to be tossed. If I'm not in the right mood to write, I just don't.<br /><br />After a really long time at this, however, I can push myself to get into the mood in a bunch of different ways, so long as I can alleviate my stress. It is really stress that keeps me from writing, not inspiration. Inspiration I can generate at will, almost; but if I'm stressed, I can't focus and I can't get into the flow.<br /><br />So I purposefully meditate, usually in the dark in a very hot bath (minor sensory deprivation0, or I go out for a walk (dopamine, endorphins), or I work on something intricate but non-problem solving (map-making, statistics) . . . and then when I'm relaxed enough, I write. If I'm in that right mental space, I'm always in a flow state.Alexis Smolenskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10539170107563075967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-72116141332215261872017-05-26T12:55:01.674-06:002017-05-26T12:55:01.674-06:00Alexis,
Do you often get into a flow state in wri...Alexis, <br />Do you often get into a flow state in writing (or even editing)? If so, how does the work quality compare to when it was non-flow, or grind if you will? <br />Kkimbohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12961382206655820923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-88742095079407978612017-05-25T19:31:56.943-06:002017-05-25T19:31:56.943-06:00I like the progress in the sidebar. I find myself ...I like the progress in the sidebar. I find myself rooting for you to get a big day.Samuel Kernanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17745996634604734121noreply@blogger.com