As you know, I’m in a period of reading and writing about creativity. How to get it, how to find it when you lose it, how to keep the momentum, and so on. On Thursday I talked about my creative process—in particular how waiting and distractions are important for inspiration.
And in the way the universe has of showing me smarter people who are writing about the same things (only better), I stumbled upon this article from the Millions website—“Gestation of Ideas: On Vertical Writing and Living.” It’s by Nick Ripatrazone; I’ve quoted him here before.
But this … whoa. Ripatrazone talks about how writing ideas gestate, about writing goals, about finding the time to do this very time-consuming thing, about the difference between horizontal and vertical writing:
Horizontal writing is focused on amassing pages and words. When Dubus wrote horizontally, he wrote convinced that fiction was created through aggregation. Vertical writing, in contrast, values depth over breadth. Stories are written when they are ready to be written; they are not forced into existence by planning or excessive drafting. Horizontal writing seeks to move across the page; vertical writing seeks to dig into the page, to value the building of character and authenticity over the telegraphing of plot. The folly of horizontal writing is that it convinces writers that fiction writing operates on a production model. If they simply sit at the desk and pound out page after page, the story will come. That might be true, but Dubus argues that such forced work creates a lot of “false” fiction. Curiously enough, by seeking to undermine the stereotype that writing is the result of inspiration, writers have fallen for the other, no less romantic opposite: that writing is factory work, and daily devotion is rewarded with final drafts. Both approaches are magical thinking. Vertical writing is no less work, but it is better work, work at the right time.
There’s more, even, than all the things I’ve listed here. There’s encouragement and inspiration too. Ripatrazone’s articles are always thoughtful. You will be glad you read this.
Tweet: Do you write horizontally or vertically?
Tweet: The creative process—you’ve got to let it gestate.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”