Chapter 1: The Role of Planning in Creative Processes

When I woke up a bit later than usual one morning, I felt surprisingly rested. My thoughts were calm, reminiscent of the ocean at high slack tide, reflecting the moonlight in a serene manner. This tranquil state of mind can often be mistaken for sadness, yet I see it as an opportunity to assess the flow of thoughts and their effects on my emotional well-being.

Is there a sense of dread regarding the day's tasks? Or is it simply a time for my mind, body, and spirit to transition gently from a restful night? Today, I find myself in the latter category, feeling no pressure to create simply because of arbitrary deadlines. This approach feels more genuine and sustainable.

The message I’m receiving today is about trusting the energy's rhythm, which will guide my writing endeavors. I also reflect on the diverse elements that enrich the writing process, including exposure to various styles, formats, and rhythms through reading.

From engaging short stories to comprehensive narratives, each piece provides insights into the craft of writing. While perusing a medical newsletter, I noted its format, sentence structures, and the succinctness of each article, each page dedicated to a distinct topic.

As I ponder this journey, I am gradually recognizing the elements necessary for becoming a better writer. Two influential books, “On Writing” by Stephen King and “The Elements of Style” by William Strunk Jr., are serving as my portable mentors as I navigate this process.

During my preparation for national competitions, I crafted varied workouts to address the multiple physical and mental aspects essential for success. Some sessions lasted hours, leading to complete exhaustion, while others focused on visualization and mental strategies, essential for applying specialized techniques.

I also had days dedicated to shorter, faster runs to enhance my fast-twitch muscles, alongside endurance training that mimicked the fatigue of long matches. All these activities were meticulously formatted to enable me to train five to six days weekly, gradually building strength and stamina.

Reflecting on my writing, I realize I am developing my writing routine similarly. Although I may lack extensive experience, I understand that consistent practice across different forms—long pieces, short essays, personal reflections, and instructional content—is vital. Each type represents a unique workout, and cultivating a writing rhythm that incorporates various elements is essential.

Writing is a cognitive endeavor, making it challenging to gauge progress accurately. It’s easy to assume I have advanced skills because I can visualize the structure of my work, but this perception can distort my sense of time and growth. The reality is that progress often unfolds at a slower pace than we anticipate, and accepting this can be difficult. Frustration can cloud our mental clarity, especially in writing.

It is akin to observing a packet of flower seeds, admiring its vibrant illustrations while forgetting that those blossoms will take months to bloom after planting. Time teaches us that patience is a mindset, essential for managing internal dialogue and alleviating anxiety surrounding new developmental processes.

I recall my time at an engineering firm, where we studied blueprints for a significant construction project, understanding that the ten-story building would take its due time to complete. No amount of blueprint analysis could expedite the actual construction.

In the early days of my photography business, I had limited insights into the types of projects I could undertake. Initially, I focused on high school graduations and weddings, unaware of the corporate photography demands, such as events, products, portraits, and construction documentation.

Each of these requires specific techniques to capture the desired images, from ladders and rooftops to helicopters and drones. Mastery of integrated and off-camera flashes, as well as studio strobes, involved understanding shutter speeds, aperture, and ISO settings—crucial variables that influenced the outcome of photographs, particularly as conditions changed.

Over the years, I have transformed into a photographer who predominantly works on corporate projects, a market segment I had not even considered at the outset of my career. This reflection on my photography journey parallels my writing experiences, reminding me of my earlier training sessions where the objective was simply to improve with each repetition.

Ultimately, I recognize that growth in any craft takes time, and our styles and interests will evolve beyond our current selves. The key is to remain open to learning and exploration.

Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts.

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