The Importance of Cultivating Solitude
Writers tend to be solitary. By necessity, writers need to dream, plan, research and write. There is an element of loneliness to writing for some writers, especially those who are extroverts. To be most successful, extroverted writers will have to learn to deal with the solitude of writing.
The nature of creativity requires solitude. Some writers can write in noisy coffee shops and public places. However, most writers need solitude to do their best writing. Writers need a quiet environment, concentration, and peace of mind that solitude brings. However, some writers can write first drafts in public places, after they have planned and outlined their chapters and know what they are going to say.
Here are a few important benefits to fostering solitude.
1. Writers think clearer
There is nothing like complete quiet and peace for writers to attain the creative state of mind. The peace and quiet will also instill the proper mindset to write. And not being connected to the internet or other technological devices can also aid in the flow of new ideas and new nuances for the manuscript. All of this occurs most often during times of solitude.
2. Writers become more productive
Solitude can create a space of tranquility and clarity of thought for writers. This will ensure that the writer will leave all distractions at bay and be able to focus and concentrate on the task at hand instead of everything and anything except writing.
3. Manuscripts Will Flow Better
When writers write alone in silence, they will be able to determine pretty quickly if their manuscripts are not flowing properly. There is nothing worse than for an editor to receive a manuscript that is clunky and doesn’t flow. Many times, it is one of the key reasons why editors reject manuscripts.
4. Writers can be more creative
The more silent and focused writers are when they write, the more they will get done. And the more writers get done the more productive and creative they will be for their next writing session. This is because writing and creativity begets more creativity and writing.
5. Writers can enjoy their writing time more
There is nothing more motivational for a writer to write than to enjoy their writing time. This can help writers also get more done and feel fulfilled. So, it is a win-win for all writers. Solitude can give us that feeling of enjoyment and fulfillment like nothing else can.
6. Writers can be inspired
Creativity is a major by-product of solitude. Author Lionel Fisher explained that withdrawing into solitude moves an individual into a low arousal state that fuels creative inspiration. The outer world has so much arousal, distraction, and clamor that it drains the creative battery. Time alone recharges it.
Given these benefits, writers cannot afford not to cultivate solitude in their writing lives. Whether it is to plan a new book and outline the chapters or write the chapters and revise them, writers need that quiet time in order to do their best work.
Silence and solitude are the two spiritual disciplines that seem to be most lacking in our digital world. It is ironic that what our soul longs for is silence and solitude, but instead we fill our lives with noise and activity to pack the void.
And writers especially need some quiet time to regroup and to rest. It can be hard to rest when we are always plugged in. So, we need to cultivate times when we are resting and alone doing something that we truly enjoy that we know will renew us.
Silence is about letting go of our inner and outer distractions and is probably the most challenging and least experienced discipline among most of us today. Studies show the average person today can only bear about fifteen seconds of silence. Each of us needs to make the opportunity to be alone and silent to find some space in the day to reflect, and to listen to our inner voice within us.
Solitude is about letting go of your outer distractions too. It is in solitude that we nourish our relationship with ourselves and our writing.
Here’s some practical ways to start cultivating these disciplines in your life.
• Turn off the radio when you are driving.
• Keep the television off when you’re not watching it.
• Practice listening more and speaking less.
• Resist the urge to text and post every experience. Hold the experience to yourself for a while.
• Don’t use your phone as an alarm clock – make a “no phones go to bed with me” rule.
• Listen for the sounds of nature whenever you can.
• Try to keep one ear tuned to your inner voice throughout your noisy day.
So, go ahead and take time to find space to be alone and silent each day. Don’t let the digital world drown out the sound of your voice speaking to you. To really live life to the fullest we must not let the digital world distract us from being who we truly are.
We need to take control of our lives by setting clear boundaries. Embrace your writing life by learning to say “no” more to your digital world and say “yes” to the importance of soul care for yourself. And tomorrow, you will probably do your best writing too. It is a win-win for writers to be their best and to do the best writing. And that is a winning combination.
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