Random
Exclusive(ish) Report: Is Your Creativity Quietly Dying?
Over on the New York Time’s Papercuts blog, they do this thing called Stray Questions, where they ask different authors the same three questions: what are you working on right now, what are you reading right now, and how does the internet help or hinder your work? Simple enough. Writers can blabber on and on about whateverthehell they’re reading at the moment, and some are willing to talk about their brilliant but unfinished novels, but it’s that last question that gets me. I like Geoff Dyer’s answer the best. Here it is:
It helps in all the obvious ways but mainly it hinders. Where it used to gnaw and nibble away at my ability to concentrate, now it is taking huge great chomps and I fear that soon I will have absolutely no ability to concentrate on anything, will be floundering in a state of endless distraction for the rest of my days and will never accomplish anything again
Obviously, Dyer is exaggerating quite a bit (he’s written a book about D.H. Lawrence that is mostly about how he can’t write a book about D.H. Lawrence) and he clearly gets a lot of work done. (A book every two years or so since 1987.) But still.
I’m pretty much in a constant war with the internet. I leave my house to go write in a coffee shop that has no wifi only to discover that my mac picks up an unauthorized free signal. Wireless networks are available; goddamn it again. What about everyone else? Does anyone have some kind of solution to the chronic email and news and blog checking problem? How do you balance creativity and curiosity when the internet is out there, ever beckoning?
Tags: geoff dyer, internet, papercuts
When I was working on my last book I took my browser and email program off my computer. I kept them on a portable hard drive. I would go to a coffee shop with my computer without the portable hard drive so I couldn’t get online or check email.
Also, you could get an old computer without wifi just for writing. They’re really cheap.
Also, you could go to the cafe with a notebook instead of a computer.
When I was working on my last book I took my browser and email program off my computer. I kept them on a portable hard drive. I would go to a coffee shop with my computer without the portable hard drive so I couldn’t get online or check email.
Also, you could get an old computer without wifi just for writing. They’re really cheap.
Also, you could go to the cafe with a notebook instead of a computer.
That is smart. Taking the browser off your laptop. I tried the writing by hand thing for a while but now I just have a hundred pages to type/edit. Pain in the ass but, I think it’s a good way to write, longhand first, typed second.
That is smart. Taking the browser off your laptop. I tried the writing by hand thing for a while but now I just have a hundred pages to type/edit. Pain in the ass but, I think it’s a good way to write, longhand first, typed second.
That’s great, Stephen, I need to do something similar. I am unfriending many friends on Facebook. I am starting slow but I will get where you are down the road (at least in terms of the browser thing).
That’s great, Stephen, I need to do something similar. I am unfriending many friends on Facebook. I am starting slow but I will get where you are down the road (at least in terms of the browser thing).
Earlier today – and not just because it’s hot – I seriously contemplated going to sit in the fridge in order to try and have a creative thought to do with writing (I think my last was sometime in early May). Sadly, the fridge had food in it. Also: I would still be able to get my home wireless signal in my fridge.
Oh.
Earlier today – and not just because it’s hot – I seriously contemplated going to sit in the fridge in order to try and have a creative thought to do with writing (I think my last was sometime in early May). Sadly, the fridge had food in it. Also: I would still be able to get my home wireless signal in my fridge.
Oh.
Stephen’s external hard drive method is pretty rad, and I’m a major fan of the hand-writing at the coffee shop method. In fact, I just got back from about 2 hours of that. Now, later today or tomorrow, whenever I go to type up the draft from today, putting it into the computer will basically become editorial round 1.
In the end, though, I think it’s less about discipline than desire. If what you really want to be doing is writing, why is your concentration so easily broken by a Times headline, or a facebook update from a girl you never quite managed to bag in high school. She’s married now, and is baking cookies for little Jessica. So what? Or Justin Taylor is on HTMLGiant working himself into a lather about Bloom/Lish/Hannah/whatever for the Nth fucking time this week. You’re going to let ME stop YOU from working on your novel? Why? I’ve got nothing to say to you that’s more important than what you have to say to you.
I feel like the important thing for a writer to believe/know/repeat re their own writing, is I CARE ABOUT THIS MORE THAN I CARE ABOUT OTHER THINGS. If that isn’t true, then really, why bother? That’s an honest question.
Stephen’s external hard drive method is pretty rad, and I’m a major fan of the hand-writing at the coffee shop method. In fact, I just got back from about 2 hours of that. Now, later today or tomorrow, whenever I go to type up the draft from today, putting it into the computer will basically become editorial round 1.
In the end, though, I think it’s less about discipline than desire. If what you really want to be doing is writing, why is your concentration so easily broken by a Times headline, or a facebook update from a girl you never quite managed to bag in high school. She’s married now, and is baking cookies for little Jessica. So what? Or Justin Taylor is on HTMLGiant working himself into a lather about Bloom/Lish/Hannah/whatever for the Nth fucking time this week. You’re going to let ME stop YOU from working on your novel? Why? I’ve got nothing to say to you that’s more important than what you have to say to you.
I feel like the important thing for a writer to believe/know/repeat re their own writing, is I CARE ABOUT THIS MORE THAN I CARE ABOUT OTHER THINGS. If that isn’t true, then really, why bother? That’s an honest question.
i try turning off my airport but it’s still very tempting. mostly i just write at night when i’m finally tired of doing whatever i’ve been doing on the interwebs and no one is updating their blogs anymore. then i edit in the mornings.
i try turning off my airport but it’s still very tempting. mostly i just write at night when i’m finally tired of doing whatever i’ve been doing on the interwebs and no one is updating their blogs anymore. then i edit in the mornings.
There is a program that I use called “freedom.” It turns your wi-fi off for, like, up to six hours at a time and you can’t get back on unless you RESET YOUR ENTIRE COMPUTER. At which point, if you do this, you are probably experiencing bigger problems than just some Internet-related attention deficit.
It’s here, it’s queer, use it: http://macfreedom.com/
There is a program that I use called “freedom.” It turns your wi-fi off for, like, up to six hours at a time and you can’t get back on unless you RESET YOUR ENTIRE COMPUTER. At which point, if you do this, you are probably experiencing bigger problems than just some Internet-related attention deficit.
It’s here, it’s queer, use it: http://macfreedom.com/
i don’t think we should be calling the internet a ‘distraction’ or treating it that way. I think that’s the root of your question. The internet is not a distraction from writing, it’s simply a thing that competes for your interest at any given time. It’s not a distraction like the phone suddenly ringing while you’re trying to write. personally i get distracted writing in a coffee shop or anywhere in public, like those are true distractions to me, things happening me i have no control over. there are times when writing is interesting and intense and you’re into it and it’s all great and there are other times it can wear on you and you’re not into. I go through weeks sometimes of not wanting to write anything. but i go back and forth. I don’t have to be ALWAYS CARING ABOUT WRITING MORE THAN OTHER THINGS ALL THE TIME.
i don’t think we should be calling the internet a ‘distraction’ or treating it that way. I think that’s the root of your question. The internet is not a distraction from writing, it’s simply a thing that competes for your interest at any given time. It’s not a distraction like the phone suddenly ringing while you’re trying to write. personally i get distracted writing in a coffee shop or anywhere in public, like those are true distractions to me, things happening me i have no control over. there are times when writing is interesting and intense and you’re into it and it’s all great and there are other times it can wear on you and you’re not into. I go through weeks sometimes of not wanting to write anything. but i go back and forth. I don’t have to be ALWAYS CARING ABOUT WRITING MORE THAN OTHER THINGS ALL THE TIME.
sweetness. i like it.
sweetness. i like it.
this program sounds amazing. i might have to try it.
my roommate was for a while using a program that timed and limited his internet usage. there was a way you could set it so that, after a certain user-set amount of time on the internet, the browser would lock up until it reset at 4am the next day. it worked for a while, until he realized all he had to do was install another browser — one that did not have the program on it.
this program sounds amazing. i might have to try it.
my roommate was for a while using a program that timed and limited his internet usage. there was a way you could set it so that, after a certain user-set amount of time on the internet, the browser would lock up until it reset at 4am the next day. it worked for a while, until he realized all he had to do was install another browser — one that did not have the program on it.
Well put, Justin and Darby. When I get into high gear, writing wise, the idea of wasting time on the internet, watching Shawshank for the 24th time, or changing my daughter’s diaper just sounds preposterous.
Well put, Justin and Darby. When I get into high gear, writing wise, the idea of wasting time on the internet, watching Shawshank for the 24th time, or changing my daughter’s diaper just sounds preposterous.
Not all the time, darby. Just while you’re actually doing it.
Not all the time, darby. Just while you’re actually doing it.
if you acknowledge not all the time, then your argument is moot. is a writer not allowed to drift from being interested in writing while writing to not being interested anymore and going to do something more interesting for a time? and then coming back to it later when its interesting? Or does display not caring enough about writing
if you acknowledge not all the time, then your argument is moot. is a writer not allowed to drift from being interested in writing while writing to not being interested anymore and going to do something more interesting for a time? and then coming back to it later when its interesting? Or does display not caring enough about writing
sooory didn’t mean to click submit comment on that, those are unedited thoughts and my logic might be false there didn’t think it through. i think maybe this comes down to a writer blaming the internet for getting in the way and i think i agree that the internet doesn’t get in the way, it’s just a thing that sits next to you.
sooory didn’t mean to click submit comment on that, those are unedited thoughts and my logic might be false there didn’t think it through. i think maybe this comes down to a writer blaming the internet for getting in the way and i think i agree that the internet doesn’t get in the way, it’s just a thing that sits next to you.
but I’m not against people using methods to disconnect themselves from internet to write if they write in such a way where they like to plow through the times when they are not into it, and then not having internet as an option helps in those cases maybe but i am a writer who doesn’t force anything, so if I’m into it i write, if not i go to internet and that’s all
but I’m not against people using methods to disconnect themselves from internet to write if they write in such a way where they like to plow through the times when they are not into it, and then not having internet as an option helps in those cases maybe but i am a writer who doesn’t force anything, so if I’m into it i write, if not i go to internet and that’s all
Oh good. Yes. I wanted someone to tell me about something like this. Mission Accomplished.
Oh good. Yes. I wanted someone to tell me about something like this. Mission Accomplished.
For shorter stuff I’m a notebook-to-computer guy most of the time, too. Longer stuff, I’ve got to have a keyboard.
And I really like/agree with this assessment.
For shorter stuff I’m a notebook-to-computer guy most of the time, too. Longer stuff, I’ve got to have a keyboard.
And I really like/agree with this assessment.
I’m good at not being distracted by the internet when I’m really in the mood to write and I sit down with ideas in my head to write. But I’m more easily distracted by the internet when I intentionally sit down to write in more of a disciplined way rather than a “have to get this down right now!” way. Like if I am trying to edit something and not really in the mood. Or trying to work my way through a part of something I’m having a rough time with. I’m also a student, though, and the internet is a much, much, much bigger distraction from homework than it is from writing. Like right this very minute, for example. I am writing a philosophy paper that’s due in a few hours. Can’t you tell?
I’m good at not being distracted by the internet when I’m really in the mood to write and I sit down with ideas in my head to write. But I’m more easily distracted by the internet when I intentionally sit down to write in more of a disciplined way rather than a “have to get this down right now!” way. Like if I am trying to edit something and not really in the mood. Or trying to work my way through a part of something I’m having a rough time with. I’m also a student, though, and the internet is a much, much, much bigger distraction from homework than it is from writing. Like right this very minute, for example. I am writing a philosophy paper that’s due in a few hours. Can’t you tell?
Yeah I like the Freedom program, and yes I have jones so hard I have rebooted my computer to get back online, but only once….
Yeah I like the Freedom program, and yes I have jones so hard I have rebooted my computer to get back online, but only once….
I kinda like you Justin Taylor.
Do you like me back?
I kinda like you Justin Taylor.
Do you like me back?
all the time Darby. All the time.
Yes.
I felt like shit for a while. Then I wrote a poem.
Now I feel like I had some beers and smoked a joint.
I think about writing Constantly. All day. Everyday.
Shitting, eating, drinking, watching a movie. It. Is. Every. Where.
all the time Darby. All the time.
Yes.
I felt like shit for a while. Then I wrote a poem.
Now I feel like I had some beers and smoked a joint.
I think about writing Constantly. All day. Everyday.
Shitting, eating, drinking, watching a movie. It. Is. Every. Where.
word.
word.
I used to do it, because it was easier to focus. Now I have a mac. For some reason I find it easier to concentrate on the mac. OpenOffice is open and is all there is for as long as I’m writing. I dunno, I know I managed to write a six-thousand word story last month on it, with the internet and everything. I think it just takes practice. I do have thousands of hand-written pages from when I was younger and couldn’t focus as well.
I used to do it, because it was easier to focus. Now I have a mac. For some reason I find it easier to concentrate on the mac. OpenOffice is open and is all there is for as long as I’m writing. I dunno, I know I managed to write a six-thousand word story last month on it, with the internet and everything. I think it just takes practice. I do have thousands of hand-written pages from when I was younger and couldn’t focus as well.
yeah, now the problem is if i bring just my notebook, i now have the ipod touch to check stuff…
yeah, now the problem is if i bring just my notebook, i now have the ipod touch to check stuff…
No. He told me he thinks you’re a cretinous moron.
No. He told me he thinks you’re a cretinous moron.
how exactly did you accomplish this? Internet Explorer is part of the Windows OS and there is no way to remove it.
Maybe you had a Mac? Macs are unfamiliar to me.
how exactly did you accomplish this? Internet Explorer is part of the Windows OS and there is no way to remove it.
Maybe you had a Mac? Macs are unfamiliar to me.
I’d get with either of you guys, though, no question. I’m a sucker for writers. Take that however you want.
I’d get with either of you guys, though, no question. I’m a sucker for writers. Take that however you want.