Creating a writing ritual is incredibly important for people who like to write frequently. Frank Mann is an artist, educator, and writer with several popular articles and publications to his name. He has contributed to art catalogs as well as museum catalogs, issues of Blast Magazine, and numerous portfolios like the Notebook of COLAB Arts. Professional journals like NAP Text(s), which includes the essay, “The Optical Machine,” have published his essays. His work can also be found in books like the American Society of Contemporary Artists, which may be found in the Thomas J. Watson Library of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Frances Mulhall Achilles Library of the Whitney Museum of Art, among others. He maintains a firm writing ritual, and so should you. Here are a few tips that will help you create one.
- Imagine what your ideal writing ritual would be like
We all should have a ritual of writing, but not all of us are equal. That’s why you should think about what your ideal writing ritual would be like. It’s about creating a ritual that makes you feel like writing, so that you’re looking forward to that time of day. It may be for you first thing in the morning, with everything in silence, sitting with a cup of coffee at the kitchen table. Or maybe you prefer to write late in the afternoon, alone, with burning candles and a glass of wine nearby. There may be as many writing rituals as writers. Imagine how yours would be, take note of it and try to put it into practice.
- Seek comfort, but also effectiveness
To write, you must be comfortable, but not too much. If you are uncomfortable, it will cost you to concentrate on your writing, but if you are too comfortable, the same is true. Find the place where you can be comfortable, but also where your senses remain alert to be clear and focused on what you do.
- Find a detail to feel at ease
As we have said, it is about wishing each day that the time comes to start writing. That is why it is good to include in your ritual a detail that makes you feel good, relaxed, and at ease. It can be drinking you a glass of wine or a cup of coffee while you work. It can be to light an aromatic candle or incense. It can be listening to soft music. Always choose a detail that is part of your writing ritual, and that makes you want to start writing.