✍️ Indisputable* Mathematical Proof that Writing Fun = Writing Creativity and Manufacturing

All collectively now like we’re on Family Feud: what’s my #1 Writing Rule? “Haaave Fuuuun!”

I lately began studying Story is a State of Mind by Sarah Selecky for our Writing Craft Book Club. In the introduction, she talks a few widespread difficulty I’ve seen in writers (together with myself…) Soon after Sarah began to learn as a baby, she began to write down for enjoyable. She would write for an viewers of 1, by no means actually sharing her tales.

At least, not till years later when Sarah determined to begin submitting tales. In her thoughts, this modified the sport. Sarah was going to get “serious” about writing. (Where have we heard that earlier than?) The purpose was now not simply to have enjoyable. Or, because it turned out, to have enjoyable in any respect. Sarah needed to attain one thing apart from entertaining herself – and began maintaining rating.

Can you guess what occurred? Not solely did she begin piling up rejections, Sarah stopped having enjoyable whereas writing. In flip, she stopped writing all collectively.

To be clear, rejections are a part of the writing life. Unless you’re very fortunate, you’re going to get rejections. There isn’t a method round that.

But, there’s a solution to forestall your self from dropping curiosity – from dropping your fireplace to write down.

So how do you keep away from turning writing right into a chore? As Sarah recounts, she began writing for herself once more quite than making an attempt to cow-tow to what she perceived editors would possibly need. I think about this led to extra genuine, extra thrilling writing. Whatever the reality, Sarah ultimately turned the profitable author she is right now.

In different phrases, when Sarah stopped being “serious” and began having enjoyable once more, every thing modified for her.

There is a few dialogue as to who first mentioned the above quote. Some say Einstein, however I’m fairly satisfied it wasn’t, based on this quote investigation. Regardless, the sentiment is correct – I’ll gladly put my title to the quote if no one else is prepared!

If you broke this down into an Einsteinian equation, it could be:

W=AF²

…or Writing [including both writing quality & quantity] = (writing Ability)(Fun)²

You could say, “But wait, Graham – do you mean to say “fun” is extra essential than “writing ability”?

Yes, that’s precisely what I imply to say. Exponentially so.

It’s clear that Sarah is a extremely smart lady and a very good author. However, by her personal admission, when Sarah dropped “fun” from the equation, her writing suffered. I can let you know that I’ve skilled this myself. The extra enjoyable I’ve, the extra doubtless I’m to stumble on inventive golden nuggets – and even big stretches of Yellow Brick Road.

I’m going to name this, “Strong’s Second Law of Writing”. The working definition is:

I do know – extra math! (Who is that this loopy author who promised you no extra equations?) I’ll add in a single final thing although from Grade 3 multiplication. If “Fun” equals zero (F=0), it cancels the entire equation like this:

W=A x 0² or W=0

In different phrases (or, extra precisely, in phrases as a substitute of numbers…), your writing high quality and output will are usually zero for those who’re not having enjoyable. This is what occurred to Sarah: she stopped writing altogether. W=0

Bee-tee-dubs, it’s no coincidence that youngsters study by taking part in and having enjoyable. When it stops being enjoyable, they lose curiosity and transfer on to one thing else. It’s solely us silly adults who maintain banging our heads.

Final Conclusion: In different, different phrases, growing your writing capacity is essential, sure. But growing your degree of enjoyable is much more so. If you wish to enhance the extent of your writing rapidly, focus of taking part in with phrases and having extra enjoyable. Your writing high quality and amount will enhance exponentially in a shorter period of time.

*The use of the phrase “indisputable” right here could also be disputed.

Have you observed a distinction within the high quality and/or amount of your writing while you’re having enjoyable? Any recommendations on maintain it enjoyable? Any questions on enhance your personal inventive output? Let us know within the feedback under!

Until subsequent time, maintain writing with wild abandon!

~Graham

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email me for those who get misplaced.