As mentioned in my post Finding Flow last week flow—or being in the zone as it is often called—is that inspired freedom of creativity when you lose yourself completely in artistic activities. Time, stress and artist’s block melt away, resulting in a unique voice and fully realizing your creative potential. Being in that state of flow in many ways resembles a trancelike state of mind. As Susan K. Perry writes in her book «Writing in Flow»; «you feel challenged, stimulated, definitely not bored. … [When] in flow, you’re often certain you’re tapping into some creative part of yourself—or of the universe—that you don’t have easy access to when you’re not in this altered state».
«Writing in Flow»—as I mentioned in the post—is based on a scientific study that Susan K. Perry conducted of more than 75 best-selling and award-winning authors. In the book she describes how the writers experience the state of flow; she dwells into five key elements of flow that most intimately affect the creative process and finally she writes about specific techniques writers use to make flow happen.
Although the book is about writing in flow, the general concepts and mechanisms behind creative flow is very much adaptable to any creative activity. I certainly found her ideas and suggestion very useful for my photography. As I am writing, too, I know the feeling of being in flow is similar when I experience it as a writer and when I experience it as a photographer.
It’s not possible to go into depth of her book in a post like this, but I will try to at least give an idea of what Susan K. Perry has found out. First, the five master keys that have an effect on the creative flow are partly a part of whoever you are, your whole self and the way of relating to the world. Partly they are concurrent to the actual creative process itself and come into play very near the time you begin the process as well as throughout the whole process. Having a reason to write—or if taken in a broader view; having a reason to do whatever creative work you do—is Perry’s first master key. On its simplest level it means you need something that motivates you to do whatever it is you are doing. It can be both external and internal reasons, although the latter often works as a stronger incentive. For instance I photograph because I want to tell stories about how people live in various layers of the world and the societies. I want to show both the beauty and the cruelty of human existence, and in so doing maybe be able to change if not the world, hopefully one or two persons along the way.
The second master key is to think like a writer—or an artist in any vocation you are working in. As for me, in all my professional life I have tried to learn and read about other photographers and how they think. The point is it’s possible for you to strengthen and bring to the forefront of your personality those aspects that will contribute to making your creative life more gratifying. It may be opening up yourself to new experiences, it may be trying to take more risks, it may be trying to get yourself fully absorbed by your work and it certainly has a positive effect if you are able to build confidence in what you are doing.
The next three master keys are more directly related to the creative process itself and in some ways more self descriptive. Of course there is more to them than that; based on the study that Susan K. Perry did she offers a lot of insights to the hows, but let me just quickly mention the last master keys here. One is loosening up, another is focusing in and the last is balancing between opposites.
Let me end by saying that «Writing in Flow» is a book that inspires and explains. If you are interested in other creatives’ take—and certainly writers’ take—on working in flow, or would like to know how to enter this state more often, this is a must-read.
Interesting book ! I am going to read it.Thanks for sharing.
Enjoy the read, Vishal.
Sounds amazing, thanks for sharing.
Always fun to share good books. 🙂
I will have a look or this book thanks.
It’s worth a look. 🙂
Thank you very much, Otto, for your inspiring post and excellent recommendation of Susan K. Perry’s book «Writing in Flow»
All the best Martina
And thank you for the comment, Martina. Good to have you visiting again. 🙂
As a writer, the flow is wonderful when in full flood.
It is, Indeed like a flood that carries you away.
That sounds like a good read Otto. I love getting carried away and loosing track of time when I am doing something creative. Even when I worked in a pharmacy for a few years my favourite part was dressing the window. I would totally forget about the fact that we had a shop full of people and would become totally lost in creating something attractive.
Finding flow is possible with any kind of activity!
So very interesting.
Thank you.
And I am glad you liked it. 🙂
You have identified a number of interesting points for us to ponder and so increase our awareness and understanding of the creative process.
Anything that can increase our awareness of how creative works is helpful. In this case it is Susan Perry who brought my attention to these points. 🙂
writing in flow is difficult part for me…. I should read this kind of book.
Thank you for sharing your thought.
I think finding flow is something we all struggle with from time to time, at least. So don’t give up. You will eventually find it.
i don’t floooooow much these days, but it sounds like an interesting book
I hope you will find flow again. 🙂
A most interesting text Otto, I hope to read “Writing in Flow ”.
And I hope you will find it worthwhile.
I’m sure I will.
Otto, thanks for the resource, I’m about to order it.
May you find it inspiring!
Thanks for the recommendation! “Having a reason” definitely helps my work though thinking like what I think other artists think is a distraction for me. That kind of steers me towards pleasing others instead of staying true to my own vision, but I get what she means about taking things seriously that way.
Pleasing others isn’t a very good drive for an artist. To some extent, yes, but more importantly is the inner drive. I think.
Otto, I have not heard of this author before. I will check out her book, it sounds very interesting and perhaps it will be helpful with improving my own writing skills. I like your reason for your photography ” I want to show both the beauty and the cruelty of human existence”…you certainly do that Otto.
Thank you, Gilda. It would be great if you could get ideas to improve you writing.
Being creative isn’t something to box into one area. Like you said, it’s about one’s whole self and the way one relates to the world. That being said, I like the loosening up and focusing in ideas. And I love your photo! It’s fantastic – there’s so much energy and movement there. Have a good weekend, Otto.
Thank you, Lynn. I had a great weekend, finally being able to teach a workshop again. I hope you could enjoy yours as well.