Superstition and the supernatural are often grouped together, but they refer to different phenomena. The supernatural refers to forces, entities, or phenomena that exist outside of the physical laws of nature (e.g., spirits, magic, or miracles). Superstition, on the other hand, is the belief that certain unrelated behaviors or objects can directly influence these supernatural forces, luck, or destiny.
Charles Dickens (1812–1870) carried a navigational compass with him at all times and always faced north while he slept—a practice he believed improved his creativity and writing.
Dr. Seuss: The author and illustrator Theodor Seuss Geisel (1904–1991), better known as Dr. Seuss, kept an immense collection of nearly three hundred hats. When facing writer’s block, Dr. Seuss would go to his secret closet and choose a hat to wear until he felt inspired.
Truman Capote refused to begin or end a piece of writing on a Friday.
J.K. Rowling’s superstition is to hold off titling a piece until it is complete. She said on Twitter: “I only type the title page of a novel once the book is finished.”
✎ 🖳
To non-writers, these behaviors must smack of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
But to those of us struggling at the keyboard to create something worthwhile, these quirks can make the difference between a productive day or one that ends in despair.
There's more to writing than hoping to learn the secret of someone else’s magic formula.
The magical formula comes from within.
It's a spark of inspiration and hard work.
I find glancing out my office window gives my brain a reset. The gentle fragrance of roses and the music of my windchimes allow creativity to flow.
While individual rituals may seem like idiosyncratic quirks, all are actions in pursuit of rational goals:
(I smile when I see the word rational 😄 and rituals in the same paragraph.)
Help writers get in the frame to write
Alleviate the anxiety that prompts writer’s block or procrastination
Take care of the necessary details as a way to minimize intrusions
Provide a routine to keep a writer on track
Of course, not everyone believes in rituals. Isaac Asimov, with over 500 published books to his name, dismissed the idea as “ridiculous.”
“My only ritual is to sit close enough to the typewriters so that the fingers touch the keys,” he said.
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My preparation rituals are pretty mundane, but I embrace them. A steaming cup of coffee sets the stage to log on to my PC and start typing. Music plays softly in the background, my pups are napping in their beds while I mumble dialogue... and the words flow.
Except for summertime.
Summer brings high temps, winds, and wildfires.
Last year, the neighborhood was placed on fire watch.
Fingers crossed, this summer will be uneventful, boring, with an occasional bit of cloud cover.
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| Look who wandered in as a visitor |
https://www.audible.com/pd/Lynx-Audiobook/B0FK6K51
Lynx (Rodeo Romance, Book 1) is available in audio and eBook
ALL My books are available at your favorite online vendor. And Barnes and Noble brick-and-mortar stores.
Happy Reading,
Connie
