The subconscious is definitely a writer’s friend, if only we would step out of the way and let it do its work.
An idea that was instilled in me, and many people I know, at a young age, was that focussing hard on a problem is the only way to solve it. When I apply that to my writing it looks like me dealing with a plot hole in my novel by staring at a blank page on my computer for hours, worrying about it just as I am trying to go to sleep or wrestling with the problem in my morning pages, all combined with a good sprinkling of negative self-talk telling me I am a bad writer because I can’t find the solution(hurray)!
However, the longer I write the more I know that forcing myself to work out the answer to a problem almost never works. What does work is stepping away, doing something else and letting my subconscious (that has been waiting patiently in the wings) take over and work it out for me while I am going about my life.
I was reminded of this yesterday as I sat staring at my computer, feeling stressed, trying to find a solution to an issue that was bothering me in my novel. A little voice in my head said, take the afternoon off, read a book, don’t just sit here pretending to work, give in to the need to rest.
So, for once, I listened. I grabbed a cup of tea and a book and got comfy on the sofa. As I switched off, my subconscious switched on, and soon enough ideas for how to fix the plot hole were making themselves known. It was like magic. I didn’t even make notes, I just kept reading and gratefully received more and more downloads, trusting that they still wanted to flow.
I have noticed that my subconscious also likes to get to work when I am doing the washing up, when I am out walking and when I am meditating (I used to think that meant I was doing it wrong, now I just try to let it be and enjoy the help).
So this is just my little reminder to you to let your wise subconscious get a look in. Trust in the ease, trust that often solutions come when we let go, not when we apply force. Sometimes the hardest work is being done when you are having fun doing something else or just lying in the grass staring up at the Jacarandas in bloom
Recommendations
A few things I have loved recently
Book: I just finished The Things She Owned by Katherine Tamiko Arguile, which is a beautifully woven tale of a mother and daughter, told through the objects left behind after the mother’s death.
Recipe: I have made this Cauliflower, Sweet Potato and Chickpea Curry multiple times during lockdown. It is so good. I add a little garam masala to the mix too. A great recipe to make while letting the subconscious play.
Poem: Roger McGough was one of my favourite poets as a child and remains a firm favourite to this day. Hearing him read this one-minute long poem really makes me smile.
Podcast: This snippet of the chat between Russell Brand and Elizabeth Gilbert plays on repeat in my mind and speaks perfectly to the idea that you can ‘write as you are.’
"trust in the ease..." beautiful reminder that applies to writing and somuch more
Thank you for this! I especially enjoyed the poem!